Chloe Zhang
Plastic products are often stamped with a number, usually between 1 and 7, enclosed in a triangle of chasing arrows. These numbers indicate the type of plastic resin used to create the product and guide consumers and recycling centres on how to recycle the product. Plastic #7 is a miscellaneous category for all other kinds of plastics that don't fit into the first six categories. It includes plastics made from multiple types of resins, making them harder to recycle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic 1 | Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) |
| Used for water and beverage bottles, food jars and containers, salad dressing and oil bottles, clothes fiber, mouthwash bottles, plastic tote bags, carpeting, furniture, and paneling | |
| Accepted in most curbside recycling programs | |
| Plastic 2 | High-density polyethylene (HDPE) |
| Used for cleaning supply bottles, plastic shopping bags, milk jugs, playground equipment, recycling bins | |
| Accepted in most curbside recycling programs | |
| Plastic 3 | Not specified |
| Plastic 4 | Used for produce and grocery bags |
| Plastic 5 | Not specified |
| Plastic 6 | Polystyrene (PS) |
| Used for CD cases, smoke detectors, license plate frames, scientific lab equipment, disposable cups, food containers, packing materials, insulation | |
| Accepted in some curbside programs | |
| Plastic 7 | Miscellaneous category for all other types of plastics, including acrylic, nylon, bioplastic, polycarbonate (PC), silicone, baby bottles, automotive parts, etc. |
| Not accepted in most curbside programs |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic #1 is PETE or PET, a polymer used in bottles, bags, jars, and containers
- Plastic #6 is PS, used in packaging, insulation, and lab equipment
- Plastic #7 is miscellaneous, an umbrella term for plastics that don't fit into the other categories
- Plastic recycling: the numbers indicate the type of plastic resin used and guide recycling
- LDPE plastic is considered safer and relatively non-toxic but is not widely recycled
Plastic #1 is PETE or PET, a polymer used in bottles, bags, jars, and containers
Plastic #1, also known as PETE or PET, is a commonly used polymer. PETE stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a type of polyethylene. It is a thermoplastic polymer resin, and one of the most widely recycled plastics globally. PET, on the other hand, is a type of polyester, and is more rigid than PETE with a higher melting point. This makes it ideal for durable products such as water bottles.
The recycling symbol for plastic #1 is a triangle with the number 1 inside, usually found on the bottom of containers. This symbol is part of the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry in 1988. The RIC system aims to provide a standardised method of identifying different types of plastics and their recyclability.
PETE or PET plastic is transparent, lightweight, and strong, with good barrier properties. It is most commonly used for beverage bottles and food containers, including water and soda bottles, food jars, salad dressing and oil bottles, and mouthwash bottles. It is also used in plastic bags, carpeting, furniture, and panelling.
While PETE/PET plastic is easily recyclable, it is important to note that it is intended for single use only. Its porous structure requires strong cleaning products, and reusing it can cause carcinogens to leach. Heating PETE/PET plastic is especially dangerous, as it can cause the leaching of antimony, a toxic chemical.
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Plastic #6 is PS, used in packaging, insulation, and lab equipment
Plastic #6, also known as Polystyrene (PS), is a thermoplastic polymer that can be solid or foamed. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and has good insulation properties, making it a popular choice for various applications.
Polystyrene is widely used in the food and beverage industry for packaging and insulation. It is often used to package and insulate food and beverages such as meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables, as well as hot and cold beverages. In the form of foam cups, plates, takeout boxes, and egg cartons, polystyrene is a popular choice for protecting and cushioning products during transportation and storage.
Polystyrene is also commonly used in pharmaceutical and medical packaging to protect sensitive medical equipment, devices, and supplies during shipping and storage. It is also used in lab equipment such as Petri dishes and test tubes.
In addition to its use in packaging and medical applications, polystyrene is used in automotive and transportation packaging, industrial packaging, and construction insulation. Polystyrene foam is used to protect automotive parts during transportation and storage, and expanded polystyrene foam is used for construction insulation.
While polystyrene has many useful properties, it has some significant drawbacks. It is not environmentally friendly and contributes to plastic pollution. Its lightweight nature allows it to be easily carried by wind and water, leading to littering and harm to wildlife. It is also fragile and breaks up easily, ending up in the environment, including beaches and marine creatures. Polystyrene also contains styrene, which can leach when heated and cause harmful, potentially carcinogenic, effects. Although it is possible to recycle polystyrene, it is not widely practised, and it is more preferable to collect and reuse it.
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Plastic #7 is miscellaneous, an umbrella term for plastics that don't fit into the other categories
Plastic #7 is an umbrella term for all plastics that do not fit into the other six categories. It includes plastics such as acrylic, nylon, bioplastic, polycarbonate, and PLA (polylactic acid). Items containing plastic #7 include bullet-proof materials, sunglasses, DVDs, computer cases, and nylon.
Plastic #7 is rarely recycled by local recycling programs. However, objects made from this plastic can be reused or "upcycled" and kept out of landfills. Some curbside programs now accept these plastics, but not many.
The Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system in 1988, which categorised plastic resins into seven groups. The purpose of the RIC system is to "provide a consistent national system to facilitate the recycling of post-consumer plastics". The numbers 1-7 are placed within a triangle of chasing pointers, known as the recycling symbol, and are found on plastic products.
The RIC system helps consumers and recycling centres identify the types of plastic that products are made of and provides information on how to recycle them. However, it is important to note that the presence of a recycling code on an object does not guarantee that it can be reprocessed. It only indicates the possibility of recycling.
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Plastic recycling: the numbers indicate the type of plastic resin used and guide recycling
Plastic is everywhere, from the fridge to the products we buy. It is almost impossible to escape it in the modern consumer world. However, not all plastics are equal, and some are safer and more recyclable than others. The numbers 1-7 on plastic products are part of the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, also known as ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System. These numbers indicate the type of plastic resin used and guide consumers and recycling centres on how to recycle plastic products properly.
Number 1 plastic, or PETE/PET, is one of the most commonly recycled plastics and is used in beverage bottles, food jars and containers, and mouthwash bottles. It is also used in plastic tote bags, furniture, and panelling. Number 2 plastic, or HDPE, is another commonly recycled plastic, used in milk jugs, plastic bags, playground equipment, and recycling bins. Both types 1 and 2 plastics may be tossed into standard recycling bins.
Number 3 plastic is PVC, which is challenging to recycle due to its high chlorine content and hazardous additives. It is used in pipes, vinyl, and credit cards. Number 4 plastic is LDPE, which is sometimes recyclable and is used in grocery bags, bread bags, and newspaper bags. Number 5 plastic is PP, which can sometimes be recycled and is used in food containers, straws, rope, and bottle caps.
Number 6 plastic, or polystyrene (PS), is widely used in packaging and insulation, as well as beverage cups, egg cartons, and disposable dinnerware. It is not commonly recycled and is known for its fragility, breaking up easily and ending up in the environment. Number 7 plastic is a catch-all category for plastics that do not fit into the first six categories, such as acrylic, nylon, and bioplastic. These plastics are often reused or "upcycled" but are not widely recycled.
While the RIC system provides important information on resin type and recyclability, it does not guarantee that a product can be recycled. Local recycling programs may vary in the types of plastic they accept, so it is essential to check with local waste recycling facilities to ensure proper disposal and recycling of plastic products.
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LDPE plastic is considered safer and relatively non-toxic but is not widely recycled
The Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system in 1988, categorising plastic resins into seven categories to facilitate recycling. The numbers 1-7 found inside the recycling symbol on plastic items correspond to these categories and indicate the types of plastic the products are made of.
LDPE, or Low-density polyethylene, is a type of plastic that is widely used in many areas of life, especially in the field of packaging and daily utensils. It is also known as plastic-type #4 and is used to make plastic bags, food wrappings, and containers. LDPE is considered relatively safe for use in food packaging and other consumer products as it does not contain toxic chemicals such as phthalates or bisphenol A (BPA). These chemicals have been linked to a variety of health problems, including hormone disruption and reproductive issues. LDPE is also widely used in medical devices due to its inert and non-reactive nature.
However, LDPE is not widely recycled, which is an issue as it is so prevalent. Technically, LDPE can be recycled, but it is not financially worthwhile due to its cheap and low-quality nature. It also poses a challenge during the recycling process as it tends to tangle in the machinery, requiring routine interruptions to the process. As a result, many municipalities do not accept #4 plastic in curbside recycling bins.
To address the issue of LDPE waste, some businesses that provide LDPE bags have set up collection bins where customers can return used bags for proper recycling. Additionally, LDPE can be reused in various ways, such as using plastic grocery bags as trash-can liners, to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
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Frequently asked questions
The numbers 1-7 refer to the seven different types of plastic and their chemical complexity. The higher the number, the more complex the chemical composition, and the harder it is to recycle.
The numbers 1-7 tell consumers and recycling centres what types of plastic products are made of. The numbers are part of the ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System, also known as RIC.
Plastic 7 is a miscellaneous category for all other kinds of plastics that don't fit into the first six categories. Some examples include automotive parts, baby bottles, and silicone spatulas.
