Chloe Zhang
Plastic products are often stamped with a number, known as a resin code, inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number system was introduced by the Society of Plastics Industry, now known as the Plastics Industry Association, to identify the type of resin used to produce the plastic. The numbers range from one to seven, with each number corresponding to a different type of plastic. For example, PET or PETE, denoted by the number one, is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. While the number system provides an indication of the type of plastic, it does not indicate recyclability. The recyclability of plastic depends on the capabilities of the local recycling facilities, and each facility may accept different types of plastics for recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of the number system | To identify the plastic resin content |
| Number range | 1 to 7 |
| Recyclability | Not all plastics are recyclable. The recyclability depends on the abilities of the facilities in the community. |
| Plastic types | PET/PETE, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, PVC, polystyrene, polyurethane, polycarbonate |
| Plastic products | Water bottles, plastic soda bottles, salad dressing containers, plastic peanut butter jars, milk jugs, detergent containers, shampoo bottles, motor oil bottles, grocery bags, bread bags, shrink wrap, margarine tubs, clothing, carpet, yogurt containers, pancake syrup bottles, bottle caps, egg cartons, foam packing, insulation, sunglasses, iPod cases, computer cases, nylon |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic resin content and identification
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin identification code (RIC), which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The RIC identifies the type of plastic resin used to make the product. It was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in the United States to give manufacturers and recyclers a uniform way to identify the resin type of plastic containers so they could be properly recycled.
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. The numbers are often difficult to see, and the fact that every local recycling facility collects different types of plastics adds to the complexity. Generally, most recyclers accept plastics #1 and #2. Plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centres do not process them. Plastic #7 is even more challenging to recycle and is almost always excluded.
The seven standard classifications for plastics are:
- PET or PETE: used for soda, water and other drink bottles, cooking oil containers, and plastic peanut butter jars. PET/PETE products can be recycled.
- HDPE: used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, and detergent bottles. HDPE products can be recycled.
- PVC: a soft, flexible plastic used for a huge array of household products.
- LDPE: used for grocery bags, bread bags, and newspaper bags. LDPE products can sometimes be recycled.
- PP: used for food containers for products like yoghurt, sour cream, and margarine, as well as straws, rope, carpet, and bottle caps. PP products can sometimes be recycled.
- PS: used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go food containers. PS products can sometimes be recycled.
- Other: Products stamped with a 7 are often made of multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that can't easily be recycled.
In 2008, ASTM International took over the administration of the RIC system and issued ASTM D7611—Standard Practice for Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin Identification. In 2013, this standard was revised to change the graphic marking symbol of the RIC from the "chasing arrows" of the Recycling Symbol to a solid triangle instead.
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Plastic recycling and reuse
Plastics are numbered based on their resin content, with each number corresponding to a different type of plastic. For example, PET or PETE, identified by number 1, is used for water and soda bottles, cooking oil containers, and food jars. HDPE, identified by number 2, is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers. LDPE, often used for plastic bags and wrappings, is sometimes recyclable. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a flexible plastic used for various household products and identified by number 3. PP, or polypropylene, is used for food containers like yoghurt pots and can be recycled, although many centres do not accept it. Polystyrene, identified by number 6, is used for disposable cups, takeaway containers, and packing peanuts. It is not generally recyclable and is harmful to human health. Any type of plastic that doesn't fit into the first six categories is labelled with number 7. These are often made from multiple plastic types and are challenging to recycle.
To reduce plastic waste, it is recommended to follow the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" rule. This involves reducing plastic use, repurposing items, and recycling as a last resort. Reusable water bottles and coffee cups are simple ways to reduce single-use plastic waste. It is also important to dispose of plastic waste responsibly by checking local recycling guidelines and keeping plastic items clean before placing them in recycling bins.
While nearly all types of plastics can be recycled technically, the extent of recycling depends on technical, economic, and logistical factors. Recycling plastic helps minimise pollution, conserve energy, and build a more sustainable future. It reduces the need to extract and process oil, a key ingredient in new plastic products, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption.
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Plastic recycling codes and symbols
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic. However, the presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. Each local recycling facility collects different types of plastics, so it is important to check with your local facility to know which plastics are accepted.
- PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate): PET is commonly used for soft drink bottles, water bottles, and other food containers. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle.
- HDPE (high-density polyethylene): HDPE is commonly used for containers for items like milk, detergents, and cleaning agents. It is lightweight and strong, and it can be easily recycled into pipes, bottles, and other products.
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride): PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used for a wide range of household products, such as bubble foils and trays for sweets and fruit. It is rarely recycled and is not usually part of curbside recycling programs.
- LDPE (low-density polyethylene): LDPE is used for shopping bags, highly-resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. It is not usually recycled but can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
- PP (polypropylene): PP is used for food containers like yogurt and margarine tubs, as well as straws, rope, and carpet. It is durable, strong, and lightweight, and it is increasingly being accepted in recycling programs.
- PS (polystyrene): PS is commonly used for toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, and vending cups. It is not generally recyclable and is considered harmful to human health and the environment.
- Other plastics: This category includes plastics that do not fit into the first six categories, such as acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. These plastics are often difficult to recycle and may contain potentially toxic chemicals.
It is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable, and even recyclable plastics may not be accepted by your local recycling facility. Always check with your municipality's recycling guidelines to ensure proper disposal of plastic products.
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Plastic recycling by number
Plastic products are often stamped with a number, known as a resin code, inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number system was started by the Society of Plastics Industry, now known as the Plastics Industry Association, to identify the plastic resin content. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled—it is the number inside the triangle that indicates whether the plastic can be recycled or not. The number corresponds to the type of plastic, with different types having different recyclability.
#1 plastic, or PET/PETE, is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks, as well as cooking oil containers and plastic peanut butter jars. #1 plastic can be recycled and is generally accepted by recyclers.
#2 plastic, or HDPE, is used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and other similar containers. Like #1, #2 plastic can be recycled and is widely accepted by recyclers.
#3 plastic, or PVC, is a soft and flexible plastic used for a wide range of household products. It is more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centers do not process it.
#4 plastic, or LDPE, is used for plastic wrappings, grocery bags, bread bags, and other similar items. #4 plastic can sometimes be recycled, but it is not always accepted by recyclers.
#5 plastic, or PP, is used for food containers like yogurt, sour cream, and margarine tubs, as well as straws, rope, carpet, and bottle caps. #5 plastic can sometimes be recycled, but many recyclers still do not accept it.
#6 plastic, or PS, is commonly used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go food containers. #6 plastic can sometimes be recycled but is not generally recyclable.
#7 plastic is a miscellaneous category for products made from multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that are difficult to recycle. #7 plastic is rarely accepted by recyclers and is often not recyclable.
It is important to note that the recyclability of plastic products can vary depending on the capabilities of local recycling facilities. The absence of a standard code system across countries and the small and hard-to-find nature of the codes also add to the complexity of plastic recycling.
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Plastic recycling by product
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. However, the presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic, some of which are easier to recycle than others.
PET or PETE (number 1) is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It is also used for cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and other food containers. PET products can be recycled and are, in fact, made of one of the few polymers that can be recycled into the same form. However, it is meant for single-use applications, and repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth.
HDPE plastics (number 2) are used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent containers, and oil bottles. They are one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and are accepted at most recycling centers worldwide. However, they are also sometimes downcycled into lower-value products like plastic lumber, tables, and benches.
PVC (number 3) is a soft, flexible plastic used for a wide range of household products. It is not recyclable in normal collections.
LDPE plastics (number 4) are used to make plastic bags, grocery bags, bread bags, and produce bags. Technically, LDPE can be recycled, but it is not always financially worthwhile due to its low quality.
PP (Polypropylene) plastics (number 5) are used for food containers like yogurt and margarine tubs, straws, rope, carpet, and bottle caps. PP is recyclable and considered safe for reuse, although many recyclers still don't accept it.
Polystyrene (number 6) is commonly used for disposable styrofoam cups, takeout containers, and packing peanuts. It is not generally recyclable and accounts for about 35% of US landfill material. It breaks apart easily and has been linked to human health issues, especially when heated.
Plastics without a number or with a number 7 fall under a miscellaneous category and are often made from multiple plastic types or other difficult-to-recycle plastics. These plastics are challenging to recycle and are almost always excluded from the recycling process.
Despite the challenges of recycling certain types of plastics, many products can be made from recycled plastic. For example, recycled plastic bottles can be used to create new bottles, shampoo bottles, cosmetic caps, and packaging films. Recycled plastic can also be used to create clothing, shoes, toys, and even construction materials. While recycling plastic can be complex and costly, it is important to reduce our need for new plastic and find ways to turn this harmful material into something helpful.
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Frequently asked questions
The number system for plastic recyclables is called the Resin Identification Code or resin code. It consists of a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The number inside the triangle is what indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic and whether it can be recycled.
PET or PETE is the plastic 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 are meant for single-use applications only.
HDPE plastics are used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, butter tubs, and motor oil bottles. HDPE products can be recycled into flower pots, trash cans, traffic barrier cones, and more.
LDPE plastic is used to make grocery bags, bread bags, shrink wrap, dry cleaning bags, and clothing. LDPE products can sometimes be recycled into new grocery bags.
PP, or polypropylene, is used to make food containers for products like yogurt, sour cream, and margarine. It is also made into straws, rope, carpets, and bottle caps. PP products can sometimes be recycled and are considered safe for reuse.
