Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a family of materials, each with distinct qualities, uses, and recycling methods. The Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Coding system in 1988, which assigns a number from one to seven to various types of plastic. This number is usually moulded at the bottom of the product. The Mobius symbol, which consists of three arrows in a circle, is also used to indicate recyclability. However, the number within the symbol is what determines the type of plastic and its recyclability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE/PET) |
| Number | 1 |
| Common Uses | Soft drink bottles, water bottles, cooking oil containers, peanut butter jars, salad dressing bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers |
| Recyclability | Recyclable, but with a low recycling rate (around 20%) |
| Disposal Route | Widely accepted by most curbside recycling programs |
| Recycled Into | New plastic containers, furniture, carpet fibres, winter jackets |
| Identification Symbol | Number 1 inside a small triangle made of arrows |
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What You'll Learn
The chasing arrows symbol
It is important to note that the presence of a chasing arrows symbol, or a resin code, on a product does not guarantee its recyclability. The symbol simply communicates what the item is made of. To determine if an item can be recycled, individuals should refer to their local recycling guidelines and waste management services, as these can vary across municipalities.
To improve recycling rates and reduce plastic waste, it is essential to go beyond the chasing arrows symbol. Understanding the specific types of plastic, their recyclability, and proper disposal methods is crucial. Additionally, reducing the consumption of single-use plastics and opting for reusable alternatives whenever possible can significantly contribute to environmental conservation.
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Resin identification codes
The Resin Identification Code (RIC) is a technical standard with a set of symbols that appear on plastic products to identify the type of plastic resin used to make the product. The RIC system was designed to make it easier for workers in recycling facilities to sort and separate items according to their resin type.
The RIC was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in the United States, but since 2008 it has been administered by ASTM International, an international standards organisation. The RIC consists of a solid triangle with a number inside, ranging from 1 to 7. These numbers correspond to different types of plastics, with numbers 1 and 2 being the most commonly recycled:
- Number 1: Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE/PET) - commonly used for single-use food and drink packaging, like water and soda bottles, and peanut butter containers.
- Number 2: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) - commonly found in household products like milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and shopping bags.
- Number 3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) - used in piping, medical equipment, plastic gloves, building products, and some food packaging. PVC is difficult to recycle and is not usually accepted in curbside recycling programs.
- Number 4: Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) - used in shopping bags, squeezable bottles, clothing, and frozen food packaging. LDPE is difficult to recycle at most facilities due to its flexibility and low weight.
- Number 5: Polypropylene (PP) - used in auto parts, industrial fibres, food containers, packing tape, plastic straws, ketchup bottles, and microwavable meal trays.
- Number 6: Polystyrene (PS) - commonly used in toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewellery, CD cases, and vending cups. Polystyrene is not recyclable in normal Local Authority collections.
- Number 7: Other Plastics - this category includes bioplastics, composite plastics (like crisp wrappers), plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate. Not all plastics under this category are recyclable.
It is important to note that the presence of a Resin Identification Code on packaging does not guarantee that the packaging is recyclable. However, significant progress has been made to reduce the use of non-recyclable materials, especially in the food sector. Additionally, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition in the United States has created a "How2Recycle" label to replace the RIC, indicating whether a plastic product is "Widely Recycled," "Limited," "Not Yet Recycled," or accepted through "Store Drop-Off."
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PET or PETE plastic
PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a versatile thermoplastic polymer within the polyester family, known for its various valuable properties encompassing mechanical strength, thermal stability, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability. Its chemical formula is C10H8O4. PET containers exhibit resilience in cold temperatures, tolerating around -40°F. Moreover, PET demonstrates commendable heat resistance, with a melting point of 145°F, rendering it suitable for applications requiring resistance to higher temperatures.
Overall, PET is recognized as a material with substantial temperature resistance capabilities. PET plastic, including both PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate - Ethylene Glycol), demonstrates notable resistance to stress cracking compared to HPDE plastics. Stress cracking occurs due to environmental factors and can compromise packaging integrity. PET or PETE is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages because it's inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle. PET does not degrade easily during the recycling process and thus has a lower risk of trapping decomposition products that can then leach out. Its recycling rates remain relatively low (around 20%), even though the material is in high demand by manufacturers.
The recycling symbol for PET or PETE is the number 1, found within the triangle, or "chasing arrows" symbol. This symbol is often found on the bottom of plastic containers made from PET or PETE. The recycling symbol helps consumers identify the type of plastic used in the product and serves as a reminder to recycle. PET or PETE is fully recyclable and the most common plastic in circulation. However, the US recycling rate for it is only around 30% each year. These plastics are widely accepted by most curbside recycling programs.
The process of recycling PET or PETE involves collecting, sorting, cleaning, crushing, melting, and transforming the plastic into new products. This process requires less energy and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than producing new plastic. Recycled PET now meets safety standards, allowing closed-loop recycling into fresh food-grade containers, promoting sustainable practices.
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HDPE plastic
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a versatile thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum. It is also known as polyethylene high-density (PEHD) or alkathene/polythene when used for HDPE pipes. HDPE has a high strength-to-density ratio, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. It is commonly used in plastic bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, bleach bottles, cutting boards, and piping.
One of the key advantages of HDPE is its high tensile strength and impact resistance, which gives it a high melting point. This means that HDPE remains rigid until very high temperatures. Once it reaches its melting point, HDPE can be easily moulded for use in various applications. Additionally, HDPE resists mould, mildew, and rotting, making it suitable for underground piping for drinking water and wastewater. It is also long-lasting, weather-resistant, and can be sterilized by boiling, making it a popular choice for food and beverage containers. Furthermore, HDPE has excellent resistance to chemicals, water, solvents, acids, and detergents.
In terms of recycling, HDPE is known for its ease of recyclability and is commonly accepted by curbside recycling programs. It carries a low risk of leaching and can be readily recycled into many types of goods, such as pipes, oil bottles, pens, toys, engineered lumber, outdoor furniture, and traffic cones. According to studies, HDPE can be recycled up to 10 times for new products, helping to reduce plastic production.
The recycling symbol for HDPE is the number "2" within the “chasing arrows” or Mobius symbol, which is a triangle with three arrows forming a loop. This symbol, also known as the Resin Identification Code, was implemented by the Society of the Plastics Industry in 1988 to indicate the type of plastic used in a product.
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LDPE plastic
LDPE stands for low-density polyethylene, a type of thermoplastic in the polyethylene family. It is a soft, flexible, lightweight plastic with high corrosion and chemical resistance, toughness, and low-temperature toughness. LDPE is not suitable for applications requiring stiffness, high-temperature resistance, or structural strength. However, its flexibility remains even in very cold temperatures.
LDPE is commonly used for plastic bags, shopping bags, squeezable bottles, furniture, clothing, frozen food packaging, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, plastic parts for computer components, and various moulded laboratory equipment. It is also used in juice and milk cartons as a liquid packaging board, with a laminate of paperboard and LDPE as the waterproof inner and outer layers.
LDPE is difficult to recycle at most facilities due to its flexibility, which can cause jams or damage to recycling equipment. When it is recycled, LDPE can be used to create compost bins, panelling, trash can liners, floor tiles, and shipping envelopes. LDPE is identified by the number 4 recycling symbol, which indicates that the plastic is made from LDPE.
The Society of the Plastics Industry implemented the Resin Identification Coding system in 1988, which assigns a designated number that manufacturers can stamp on their products to indicate the type of plastic. This system was intended to improve the dismal national recycling rates for plastic, but it relied on knowledge that American businesses and consumers did not have.
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Frequently asked questions
The recycling symbol for polyethylene plastic is No. 2 HDPE.
HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene.
HDPE is used for many household products, including milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, detergent bottles, motor oil bottles, butter and yoghurt tubs, and cereal box liners.
Yes, HDPE can be recycled. It is accepted by most curbside recycling programs.
HDPE can be recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, detergent bottles, toys, engineered lumber, outdoor furniture, and traffic cones.
