Alexei Volkov
Plastic recycling codes are formed by a triangle with three chasing arrows, containing a number from 1 to 7 in the centre. This number is known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC) and indicates the resin composition of the plastic. Plastic code 7 is a catch-all category for plastics that don't fit into one of the other six categories, including bioplastics, nylon, polycarbonate, polylactic acid, and more. These plastics are made from different materials and have varying properties, making them difficult to recycle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Code | 7 |
| Other Names | Resin Identification Code (RIC), Plastic Resin Identification Code |
| Symbol | Triangle with three chasing arrows and a number 7 in the centre |
| Description | A catch-all category for plastics that don't fit into the other six categories |
| Includes | Nylon, polycarbonate, polylactic acid, acrylic, bioplastics, and items composed of multiple types of plastic |
| Recyclability | Hard to recycle, not accepted by most factories |
| Safety | Varies depending on the specific type of plastic; avoid polycarbonate (PC) due to BPA |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic code 7 is a catch-all category for plastics that don't fit into the other six categories
Plastic recycling codes are indicated by a number from 1 to 7 inside a small triangle made of arrows. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic, with number 7 being a catch-all category for plastics that don't fit into the other six categories.
Products stamped with code 7 are often made of multiple plastic types or other hard-to-recycle plastics. These include bioplastics, nylon, polycarbonate, polylactic acid (PLA), and acrylic. Polycarbonate, for example, contains highly dangerous Bisphenol A (BPA). Bioplastics, made from natural materials such as corn starch, sugarcane, or tapioca, are designed to break down in commercial composting facilities under specific conditions. However, they are not recyclable.
The presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate that the product can be recycled. For instance, while Type 1 and Type 2 plastics may be placed in standard recycling bins, other types of plastics may not be permitted depending on local guidelines. Hard-to-recycle plastics, such as Styrofoam, shrink wrap, and manufacturing scrap, require specialised handling.
The resin identification coding system was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry to help with recycling plastic. The number inside the triangle indicates the resin composition of the plastic, allowing recyclers to identify the type of plastic and determine its recyclability. However, the system has created confusion among consumers, who often assume that the presence of the arrows symbol indicates recyclability.
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It includes plastics made from multiple types of materials
Plastic recycling codes are indicated by a number from 1 to 7 inside a small triangle made of arrows. This is known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC) and was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry to help recyclers identify the type of plastic a product is made from. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate that the product is recyclable.
Code 7 is a catch-all category for plastics that do not fit into any of the other six categories. It includes plastics made from multiple types of materials, such as acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, polylactic acid (PLA), and more. These plastics can have varying properties, such as rigidity, flexibility, opacity, and heat resistance, due to their diverse composition.
Products stamped with code 7 are often made from a combination of different plastic types or from plastic that is challenging to recycle. This code includes new plastics, bioplastics, and items composed of various plastic resins. Bioplastics, for example, are made from natural materials like corn starch, sugarcane, or tapioca and are designed to break down in commercial composting facilities under specific conditions. However, they are not recyclable through traditional methods.
Code 7 plastics can be found in a variety of products, including food containers, signs and displays, computers, electronic devices, DVDs, and sunglasses. These plastics are rarely recycled, but they can be transformed into custom-made products or plastic timber.
It's important to note that the safety and recyclability of code 7 plastics depend on the specific type of plastic. Consumers should look for BPA-free plastics if they are concerned about safety. Checking the recycling symbol on the product is crucial to determine its recyclability.
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It includes plastics made from new materials
The number 7 plastic code is a catch-all category for plastics that don't fit into one of the other six categories. It includes plastics made from new materials, such as bioplastics, and items composed of multiple types of plastics. These plastics are often made from a variety of natural and synthetic polymers, with most being made from fossil fuels like natural gas and crude oil.
Products stamped with a 7 are often made from multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that are hard to recycle. This is because they can be made from a wide range of materials, each with different properties. For example, some plastics under code 7 are rigid, while others are flexible; some are clear, while others are opaque; and some are heat-resistant, while others are not. This variety of applications means that number 7 plastics are found in a wide range of products, from food containers to computers and electronic devices.
Bioplastics, a common form of new plastics, are made from natural materials such as corn starch, sugarcane, or tapioca. They are commercially compostable, designed to break down in commercial composting facilities under specific conditions. This process does not occur in landfills or if the bioplastic is littered.
The plastic resin identification code, also known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC), was developed to help recyclers identify the type of plastic a product or packaging is made from, and therefore its recyclability. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate that a product can be recycled. The number 7 code includes plastics that are almost never recycled, but they could be transformed into products such as plastic timber and custom-made items.
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It includes plastics made from bioplastics
Plastic recycling codes are indicated by a number from 1 to 7 inside a small triangle made of arrows. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate recyclability. The number inside the triangle is what determines the type of plastic, with each number corresponding to a different type.
Code 7 plastic is a catch-all category for plastics that don't fit into the other six categories. It includes plastics made from bioplastics, such as Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), a commercially compostable plastic made from natural materials like corn starch, sugarcane, or tapioca. Bioplastics are designed to break down in commercial composting facilities under specific conditions. This process does not occur in landfills or if littered.
Other plastics that fall under code 7 include acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, and polylactic acid. These plastics vary widely in their properties as they are made from different materials. They can be rigid or flexible, clear or opaque, and heat-resistant or not, which is why they are used in a variety of applications. For example, PLA is often used for multi-layer packaging, such as milk cartons and some types of juice containers, as well as hard-to-recycle plastics like three-ring binders and CD cases.
Code 7 plastics are hard to recycle, and most factories do not accept them. They are rarely recycled but can be transformed into plastic timber and certain custom-made products. It is recommended to opt for recycling numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 instead.
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Plastic code 7 plastics are hard to recycle
Plastic resin identification code 7 includes bioplastics, composite plastics (such as crisp packets), plastic-coated wrapping paper, polycarbonate, and other plastics that don't fit into the previous categories. Polycarbonate (PC) is a strong and tough type of plastic that can be available in various colours and levels of translucency. PC is used when impact resistance and/or transparency are required for a plastic product, such as plastic lenses in eyewear, exterior light fittings, and water dispensers.
Code 7 plastics are hard to recycle because they encompass a wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous categories, and there isn't one single method for their recycling. Some plastic waste with the code 7 label can't be recycled at all. The general process for recycling some types of code 7 waste includes sorting, cleaning, shredding, and melting the plastic into pellets to be sent to manufacturers. However, this process can be challenging and time-consuming due to the diverse nature of code 7 plastics.
Additionally, code 7 plastics may be made of multiple plastic types that are difficult to separate and process, such as when polycarbonate is blended with ABS. This complexity in composition makes it harder for recycling plants to handle and increases the cost of recycling. Some common plastics that fall under code 7 and are hard to recycle include Styrofoam, shrink wrap, and manufacturing scrap, which require specialized handling.
Furthermore, bioplastics, which are a form of code 7 plastic, are not recyclable through traditional methods. Bioplastics, such as Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), are designed to break down in commercial composting facilities under specific conditions. This means that they cannot be recycled through conventional recycling processes or in landfills.
While code 7 plastics pose recycling challenges, it is still important to send them for recycling where possible. Recycling centres will sort, separate, and recycle code 7 plastics where feasible, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Some code 7 plastics, like polycarbonate, can be completely recycled and turned into new products.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic code 7 is used for plastics that don't fit into any other category from 1 to 6. These plastics can be made from multiple types of plastic or other materials that are hard to recycle.
Plastic code 7 includes new plastics, bioplastics, polycarbonate, nylon, polylactic acid, and items composed of multiple types of plastic.
The safety of plastic code 7 depends on the specific type of plastic. If you are concerned about safety, look for plastics labelled "BPA-free".
