Sofia Martinez
Plastic containers are often stamped with a number enclosed in a triangle made of arrows. This is called the Resin Identification Code (RIC), which was developed by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). The numbers, ranging from one to seven, help identify the type of plastic resin used to produce the container. While the presence of a triangle may indicate recyclability, the number itself does not. Each number represents a different type of plastic, with some being more recyclable than others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of symbols | 7 |
| Symbol | Mobius symbol with a number inside |
| Symbol shape | Triangle |
| Symbol design | Designed by Gary Anderson, a student at the University of Southern California |
| Symbol year | 1970 |
| Symbol competition | Sponsored by Container Corporation of America (CCA) |
| Purpose of the number system | To identify the plastic resin content |
| Plastic type 1 | PET or PETE |
| Plastic type 2 | HDPE |
| Plastic type 3 | PVC |
| Plastic type 4 | LDPE |
| Plastic type 5 | PP (polypropylene) |
| Plastic type 6 | PS (polystyrene) |
| Plastic type 7 | Other |
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What You'll Learn
- The numbers refer to the type of plastic resin used
- The numbers are called Resin Identification Codes (RIC)
- The numbers are inside a triangle of arrows, which means 'reduce, reuse, recycle'
- The numbers do not indicate whether the product can be recycled
- Type 1 and 2 plastics are generally accepted by recyclers
The numbers refer to the type of plastic resin used
The numbers on plastic containers are called resin identification codes (RICs) and they refer to the type of plastic resin used to produce the plastic. The presence of a resin code doesn't necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. The number inside the triangle is what counts, as each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
The numbers range from 1 to 7, with each number representing a different type of resin. For example, PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages and is represented by the number 1. It is used for soft drink bottles, water bottles, ketchup and beer bottles, and peanut butter containers, among other things. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to recycle.
Another example is HDPE, which stands for high-density polyethylene and is represented by the number 2. It is commonly used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and other containers that require low weight and high strength. Like PET, it is also easy to recycle.
Other types of plastic resins include PP (polypropylene, marked with the number 5), PVC, PS (polystyrene, marked with the number 6), and other plastics (marked with the number 7).
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The numbers are called Resin Identification Codes (RIC)
The presence of a resin code doesn't necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It's the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. There are seven unique resin identification codes, represented by a number from 1 to 7. Types 1 and 2 plastics are generally accepted by recyclers and can be tossed into standard recycling bins. Other types of plastic may not be as widely accepted by recyclers, and some plastics are hard to recycle.
For example, PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is a common plastic for single-use bottled beverages. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle. It is often recycled through curbside programs, and the recycled product can be used to make containers, carpets, and furniture. HDPE is another easily recyclable plastic, also recycled through curbside programs, and used to make pipes, bottles, and detergent bottles.
PVC is more difficult to recycle because it has a lower melting point than PET and HDPE and is composed of chemicals that can contaminate the environment. It is often used for household products like toys, wraps, and plastic gloves. Polypropylene (PP) is recyclable but may not be accepted by all recyclers. It is considered safe for reuse and is used for containers that hold hot liquids, like yogurt containers and medicine bottles.
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The numbers are inside a triangle of arrows, which means 'reduce, reuse, recycle'
The numbers on plastic containers indicate the type of resin used to produce the plastic. These numbers are part of the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, which was developed by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), now known as the Plastics Industry Association. The numbers are placed inside a triangle of arrows, known as the chasing arrows or Mobius symbol, designed by Gary Anderson in 1970. This symbol represents "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," and has become synonymous with identifying recyclables.
The numbers inside the triangle range from 1 to 7, with each number corresponding to a different type of plastic. For example, PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), commonly used for beverage bottles, is identified by the number 1. HDPE plastics, used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles, are identified by the number 2. PVC, a soft and flexible plastic, is identified by the number 3 and is used for a wide range of household products.
While the presence of the chasing arrows symbol often indicates recyclability, it is important to note that not all plastics with this symbol are easily recyclable. The numbers themselves are a more accurate indicator of recyclability. Types 1 and 2 plastics are generally accepted by most recyclers and can be tossed into standard recycling bins. However, plastics numbered 3 to 6 are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centers may not process them. Plastic numbered 7 is the most challenging to recycle and is often excluded due to the wide variety of plastic resins it contains.
It is worth mentioning that some plastics, like Styrofoam (PS), fall into a grey area. They can sometimes be recycled, but many municipalities do not accept them due to the specialized handling required. Additionally, certain plastic bags and thin plastic wraps should not be placed in recycling bins as they can tangle in the equipment at recycling facilities.
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The numbers do not indicate whether the product can be recycled
The numbers on plastic containers are called resin identification codes (RICs) and they identify the type of plastic resin used to make the product. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. The numbers inside the triangle are what matter, as each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
The numbers 1 and 2 indicate the most commonly recycled plastics. Type 1, or PET/PETE, is the easiest plastic to recycle and can be recycled curbside. It is commonly used for beverage bottles, peanut butter containers, and salad dressing. Type 2, or HDPE, is also extremely common and can be recycled. It is used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles.
Type 3 plastics and above become progressively more difficult to recycle. Type 3 plastics are sometimes not processed by recycling centers. Type 4 plastics, such as plastic bags, should not be put into recycling bins as they can get tangled in the equipment. Type 5 plastics are not commonly recycled, but some curbside programs do accept them. Type 6 plastics, such as Styrofoam, are hard to recycle because they are light, fragile, and bulky, and break up easily. Type 7 plastics are the most challenging to recycle as they are made of multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that cannot be easily recycled.
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Type 1 and 2 plastics are generally accepted by recyclers
Plastic containers are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. These numbers are known as resin identification codes (RIC) and were developed by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). The presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled—it's the number inside the triangle that counts because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
While Type 1 and 2 plastics are generally accepted by recyclers, it is important to note that recycling guidelines may vary depending on your location. It is always a good idea to check with your local municipality or recycling centre to confirm which types of plastic they accept.
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Frequently asked questions
The numbers on plastic containers are called Resin Identification Codes (RIC) and they identify the type of plastic resin used to produce the item.
The Resin Identification Code (RIC) was developed by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). The RIC consists of a number and code that identifies the resin type of plastic containers to help the public understand plastic types for recycling.
There are seven unique resin identification codes, represented by a number from 1 to 7, enclosed in a triangle chasing arrows symbol commonly referred to as the recycling code.
Type 1 is known as PET or PETE, which is used for beverage bottles like soda or water, peanut butter, salad dressing, and vegetable oil containers. Type 2 is known as HDPE, which is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, and detergent bottles. Type 3 is known as PVC, which is a soft and flexible plastic used for a variety of household products. Type 4 is used for plastic bags. Type 5 is known as PP or polypropylene plastic, used for containers that hold hot liquids. Type 6 is known as PS or Styrene plastic, which is used for toys, packing, trays, bags, and cups. Type 7 stands for "other plastics", which can include acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, nylon, and fiberglass.
The chasing arrows symbol, also known as the "recycling code", represents "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle". This symbol was designed in 1970 by Gary Anderson, a student at the University of Southern California, as part of a contest sponsored by the Container Corporation of America (CCA) in response to World Earth Day.
