Chloe Zhang
Have you ever wondered what the numbers on plastic products mean? These are resin identification codes, which tell you what kind of plastic the material is made of and how it should be processed. Plastics with codes #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics, while plastics #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 are tougher to recycle and are not universally accepted by local recycling programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of plastic | Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonates (PC), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Recyclability | PET and HDPE are the most commonly recycled plastics. LDPE is difficult to recycle. PVC is slowly increasing in recyclability but has a low demand. |
| Applications | PP is used for hot liquids, e.g. syrup, ketchup, and medicine bottles, as well as bottle caps and straws. PS is used for packing peanuts, CD cases, takeout containers, disposable plates and cutlery, aspirin bottles, and egg cartons. PVC is used in construction, plumbing, and transport. LDPE is used for soft plastic products. |
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What You'll Learn
The numbers are resin identification codes
The numbers on plastic materials are resin identification codes, also known as plastic codes or RICs. These codes tell you what kind of plastic the material is made of. Plastics with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 are labelled with these codes to help recycling plants sort materials. Recycling plants use these codes to determine how the plastic should be processed.
Plastics with the number 1 are made of PETE or PET, which stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate. PET is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world and is used in a lot of food containers. Clear PET, in particular, has one of the highest recycling market values as it can be turned into products of similar quality and form. The recycling process for PET is simple and it can be commonly recycled onshore. A similar plastic is PETE, which is slightly less recyclable than PET.
Plastics with the number 2 are made of HDPE, a plastic polymer that is one of the easiest to recycle. Most recycling companies will collect HDPE material and take these to large facilities to be processed. A 2018 study by ESE World B.V. found that non-contaminated HDPE can be recycled up to 10 times.
Plastics with the number 3 are made of PVC, a durable plastic that is not easily impacted by sunlight, water, or other harsh conditions. Due to this, it is commonly used across different industries, including construction, plumbing, and transport. While it is durable, it has been known to leach chemicals over time, so it is not as safe for food use. While PVC recycling is slowly increasing, there is less of a market for recycled PVC as it’s not as durable. Most PVC is not collected kerbside and many places do not have the facilities to recycle it.
Plastics with the number 4 are made of LDPE, which is used to create most soft plastic products around the world. LDPE is a lightweight plastic that is less toxic than other plastics, which makes it popular for food use. However, due to the flimsy nature of the plastic, it is often only for single-use applications. It’s not accepted in kerbside collections as it is difficult to sort from other materials and very difficult to fully recycle, though it can be upcycled into fence posts or other materials. Given this, many governments have banned single-use LDPE bags and have introduced soft plastic recycling schemes with drop-off collection points.
Plastics with the number 5 are made of PP, which stands for polypropylene. PP has a high melting point, making it great for containing hot liquids. Items made of PP include syrup, ketchup, and medicine bottles, as well as bottle caps and straws. PP is also a tough and lightweight plastic, that is known for its excellent heat resistance, which makes it popular to use in takeaway shops. Additionally, it is considered safe for continued reuse as it’s unlikely to leach chemicals and break down over time.
Plastics with the number 6 are made of PS, which stands for polystyrene. PS is an incredibly versatile plastic. It can be manipulated into a soft foam, like packing peanuts, or hardened into a sturdy CD case. PS is used in a variety of products, including takeout containers, disposable plates and cutlery, aspirin bottles, and egg cartons.
Plastics with the number 7 are a miscellaneous category for everything that didn’t fit into the previous six categories. This includes oven-baking bags and large 3-5 gallon jugs used to refill office water coolers. Because it’s such a nebulous group, don’t expect your local municipality to collect these plastics.
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They tell you what type of plastic the material is made from
The numbers on plastic items are resin identification codes (RICs) that tell you what kind of plastic the material is made of. Plastics with the numbers 1 (PETE or PET) or 2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics. They are considered valuable consumer information as they indicate the likelihood of your plastic being recycled or ending up in a landfill.
PET is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world, and is used in a lot of food containers. Clear PET, in particular, has one of the highest recycling market values as it can be turned into products of similar quality and form. The recycling process is also simple and it can be commonly recycled onshore. HDPE is also accepted worldwide because it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. A 2018 study by ESE World B.V. found that non-contaminated HDPE can be recycled up to 10 times.
Plastics with the numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs. Plastic no. 7, in particular, is a miscellaneous category for everything that didn't fit into the first six categories. Think of oven-baking bags or those large 3-5 gallon jugs used to refill office water coolers. Because of this, don't expect your local municipality to collect these plastics.
LDPE, which is used to create most soft plastic products worldwide, is labelled with the number 4. It is a lightweight plastic that is less toxic than other plastics, which makes it popular for food use. However, due to the flimsy nature of the plastic, it is often only for single-use applications. PP, labelled with the number 5, is a tough and lightweight plastic that is known for its excellent heat resistance, which makes it popular to use in takeaway shops. It is also considered safe for continued reuse as it is unlikely to leach chemicals and break down over time.
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They help recycling plants sort materials
The numbers on plastic materials are resin identification codes, which tell us what kind of plastic the material is made of. They are used to help recycling plants sort materials and help recycling collectors determine what items they can accept and which ones need to be trashed.
The numbers, usually 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, are printed inside the recycling symbol on plastic products. Plastics with the numbers 1 (PETE or PET) and 2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics and are accepted by most recycling haulers. HDPE can be recycled up to 10 times, and products made following this process can be blended with virgin HDPE at a rate of up to 50%.
Plastics with the numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs. For example, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) products have an average lifetime of 30 years, with some reaching 50 or more years. They require separation from other plastics for recycling, and many places do not have the facilities to recycle them.
Another example is Polypropylene (PP), a lightweight plastic with excellent heat resistance, making it popular for takeaway shops and containing hot liquids. It is safe for continued reuse as it is unlikely to leach chemicals and break down over time. However, it is not accepted in kerbside collections as it is challenging to sort from other materials and challenging to fully recycle.
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They indicate the likelihood of your plastic being recycled
The numbers on plastic items are resin identification codes (RICs) that tell you what kind of plastic the item is made of. They are key to determining the recyclability of a product. Plastics with a 1 (PETE or PET) or 2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics and are accepted by most recycling haulers. HDPE can be recycled up to 10 times, and PET has one of the highest recycling market values.
However, plastics with a 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not as widely accepted by recycling collectors. For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is durable and used across many industries, but it is not in high demand for recycling. Polypropylene (PP), or plastic number 7, is a tough, lightweight plastic with a high melting point, but it is not accepted in kerbside collections. Polystyrene (PS), or plastic number 6, is highly versatile but is one of the least recycled post-consumer plastics. Polycarbonates (PC) are among the most difficult plastics to recycle.
Therefore, the numbers on plastics indicate the likelihood of your plastic being recycled, with lower numbers being more recyclable than higher numbers. It is important to note that different cities and towns have varying rules regarding plastic recycling, so it is essential to check your local guidelines.
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Numbers 1 and 2 are the most commonly recycled plastics
The numbers on plastic materials are not indicators of recyclability but are instead resin identification codes that tell you what kind of plastic the material is made of. The presence of a resin code doesn't necessarily mean that the product can be recycled.
Plastics that have #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics. These plastics are recycled back into their original uses, but they can also be melted down and spun into fibres for carpets or stuffing for soft items like toys or pillows.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE) is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It is also used to make cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and containers for other popular food items. PET/PETE products can be recycled, but they are meant for single use only as repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. It is also hard to clean or remove harmful chemicals.
HDPE is accepted worldwide because it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. Most recycling companies will collect HDPE material and take them to large facilities to be processed. It is also one of the safest types of plastic to use. It can be recycled into floor tiles, fencing, and writing pens.
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