Ethan Clarke
Plastic packaging often features symbols that indicate whether or not an item can be recycled, how to dispose of it, or if it's made from recycled materials. These symbols are known as 'chasing arrows' and feature a number between 1 and 7 that identifies the type of resin used in the product. For example, PET or PETE (number 1) is a widely recycled plastic used for drinks bottles and food packaging, while HDPE (number 2) is another commonly recycled plastic used for cleaning product bottles and milk cartons. LDPE (number 4) is a flexible plastic used for bags and wrapping that can be recycled at specialist points, and PP (number 5) is a widely recycled plastic found in trays, tubs, and bottles. Understanding these symbols is key to proper recycling, but it's also important to know your town's specific rules for recycling certain materials.
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What You'll Learn
Recycling symbols and their meanings
The universal recycling symbol is easily recognised today, but there are many variations, each ascribed to a specific material or type of material. While attempts have been made to standardise the use of recycling symbols, each country or continent follows its own standards. The USA, for example, currently uses seven codes for different types of plastic, while the rest of the world uses more.
The "chasing arrows" symbol, commonly seen on plastic containers, does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable. The number inside the triangle, from 1-7, helps identify the type of plastic used for the product. By understanding the number classifications, we can determine the appropriate disposal route.
Symbol 1: PET or PETE
This stands for polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. It is easily recyclable and is often part of curbside recycling programs. It can be reused to make new containers, carpet, and furniture.
Symbol 2: HDPE
This stands for high-density polyethylene, one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States. It is widely recycled and is found in thicker coloured plastic bottles and tubs, such as shampoo bottles and margarine tubs. It is also used for containers of cleaning agents, milk, detergents, and washing soap. HDPE sheets can be easily recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, and detergent bottles and are commonly accepted by curbside recycling.
Symbol 3: PVC
This stands for polyvinyl chloride, which is not widely collected and is difficult to recycle. It is used in products ranging from healthcare to wire and cable insulation, as well as bubble foils and trays for sweets and fruit.
Symbol 4: LDPE
This stands for low-density polyethylene, a flexible plastic that can be found in shopping bags, highly resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. This type of plastic is not usually recycled, but it can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
Symbol 5: PP
PP stands for polypropylene, a widely recycled plastic that can be found in trays, tubs, furniture, luggage, toys, and the lining and external borders of cars. It is increasingly being accepted in curbside recycling programs.
Symbol 6: PS
This stands for polystyrene, which can be made into rigid or foam products. In foam form, it is popularly known by the trademark Styrofoam. It is difficult to recycle, and most places still don't accept it in this form because it's mostly air.
Symbol 7: OTHER
This stands for "other plastics," including but not limited to acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibres, nylon, and fibreglass. Acrylic and polycarbonate can be recycled and repurposed for future projects. For symbol 7 plastics, check with your local recycling program.
Other Common Symbols:
- The Green Dot: This symbol, recognised in many European countries, signifies that a financial contribution has been made by the producer towards the recovery and recycling of packaging in Europe. It does not mean that the packaging is recyclable or will be recycled.
- Recycle: This label is applied to packaging that is widely collected for recycling.
- Don't Recycle: This label is applied to packaging that is not widely collected by local authorities and cannot be correctly sorted and recycled into new packaging.
- Recycle with Bags at Large Supermarkets: This label is applied to plastic wrapping like bread bags, chocolate wrappers, and crisp packets, which can be recycled at specialised collection points at supermarkets.
- Recycle - Rinse: Food residue can contaminate other materials when collected together, so ensure packaging is properly cleaned before recycling.
- Recycle - Bottle Cap On/Lid On: Certain parts of packaging are too small to be recycled on their own. Check if your item displays this label, as it means the cap or lid should be put back on the bottle so that it can be collected and recycled.
- Compostable: Plastics carrying this symbol can be recycled with your garden waste through your local authority.
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How to recycle plastic products
Plastic products are usually labelled with a symbol that indicates whether they can be recycled or not. The "chasing arrows" symbol, for example, does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable; the number inside the triangle helps identify the type of plastic used. By understanding the number classifications, you can determine the appropriate disposal route for your plastic products.
- Symbol 1 with the acronym PETE or PETG is known as PET or polyethylene terephthalate. This is a widely recycled plastic that is mainly used in clear single-use plastic, such as bottles for soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice, and cooking oil. It is easily recyclable and can be reused to make containers, carpet, and furniture.
- Symbol 2 with the acronym HDPE indicates one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States. It stands for high-density polyethylene and is used for thicker coloured plastic bottles and tubs, such as shampoo bottles and margarine tubs. It is also used for milk, detergents, and washing soap.
- Symbol 3 with the letter “V” represents PVC or polyvinyl chloride. This plastic is used in products ranging from healthcare to wire and cable insulation, as well as bubble foils and trays for sweets and fruit.
- Symbol 4, LDPE, stands for low-density polyethylene, a flexible plastic found in shopping bags, highly resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. This type of plastic is not usually recycled but can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
- Symbol 5, PP, stands for polypropylene, a widely recycled plastic found in trays, tubs, and bottles for items like ketchup and medicine.
- Symbol 6, PS, stands for polystyrene, which can be made into rigid products or foam products like Styrofoam.
To recycle plastic products, it is important to first understand your town's legislation and rules for recycling. Check with your local recycling program to learn which types of plastic they accept and where to place them for collection. Some plastic products may not be accepted in community recycling programs or curbside recycling but may be eligible for store drop-off recycling.
- Plastic bags and wraps can be recycled at many retail and grocery stores, which often have collection bins near the front of the store.
- Rinse or scrape food residue off plastic packaging before recycling to prevent contamination.
- Separate packaging that has a sleeve or film that can be easily removed, as this type of packaging is not recyclable.
- Twist on the bottle caps before tossing them in the bin to make it easier for recyclers.
- Place small recycling receptacles in various rooms to make it easier to recycle.
- Look for products made with recycled plastic to encourage the recycling of plastic materials.
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What the numbers inside the recycling symbol mean
The numbers inside the recycling symbol, also known as the "chasing arrows" symbol, represent different types of plastic and provide specific recycling instructions for each. There are seven plastic recycling symbols, each with a distinct number and acronym, which indicate the type of plastic resin used in the product. These symbols were introduced to assist with the sorting of plastics, as they should be recycled separately to preserve the value of the recycled material.
- PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate): This is a widely recycled plastic commonly used for single-use bottled beverages, clear plastic bottles, and food containers. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle.
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): This plastic is commonly used for thicker coloured bottles and tubs, such as shampoo bottles and margarine tubs. It is also used for plastic bags and is widely recycled.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC is not widely collected and is difficult to recycle. It is used in a range of products, from healthcare to wire and cable insulation.
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): LDPE is a flexible plastic found in shopping bags, bread bags, and crushed bottles. It is not commonly recycled but can be converted into new products like floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
- PP (Polypropylene): This plastic is marked with the number "5" and the acronym "PP." It is durable, strong, and lightweight, making it suitable for various applications, including trays, tubs, furniture, and luggage. It is increasingly accepted in recycling programs.
- PS (Polystyrene): Polystyrene is identified by the number "6" and the acronym "PS." It can be made into rigid or foam products, with the latter known by the trademark Styrofoam. Polystyrene is difficult to recycle and is not widely accepted in recycling programs.
- Other Plastics: Symbol "7," often accompanied by the word "OTHER," represents other types of plastics that may not be easily recyclable. However, some plastics under this category, such as acrylic and polycarbonate, can be recycled and repurposed.
It is important to note that the presence of the "chasing arrows" symbol does not necessarily indicate that the product is recyclable. Additionally, recycling guidelines can vary based on your location, so it is always a good idea to check your local regulations and guidelines to ensure proper recycling practices.
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How to recycle plastic products at home
Plastic is a highly versatile material that we use a lot of. Re-using and recycling items as many times as possible can reduce our need to create new plastic. However, recycling can be easier said than done. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, less than 10% of plastic waste generated worldwide has ever been recycled. One of the barriers to recycling plastic is a lack of awareness around the seven plastic recycling symbols, which can be confusing. Each symbol represents a different type of plastic and distinct recycling instructions.
The "chasing arrows" symbol we see on plastic containers and products does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable. The little number inside the triangle is there to help identify the type of plastic used for the product. By understanding the number classifications, we can then determine the appropriate disposal route for our plastic products.
- Check your town's legislation and rules for recycling so that you know what can and cannot be recycled in certain bins.
- Place small recycling receptacles in various rooms to make it easier to recycle.
- Seek out public recycling bins at public parks, sports stadiums and beaches.
- If you can't find a bin, collect your recyclables and bring them back to your home bin.
- Check with your local recycler to see what goes in your bin.
- Recyclers want your plastic bottle caps. Just empty the bottles and twist on the bottle caps before tossing them in the bin.
- Plastic grocery bags can be recycled at many grocery and retail stores.
- Plastic bottles of all kinds are usually made from two types of plastic that are easy to recycle: PET and HDPE. 99% of UK local authorities offer collection facilities for plastic bottles.
- Some types of plastic may say they are compostable in a home composter. These types of plastic should not go in your dry recycling collection or garden waste bin.
- If your community does not have a composting recycling pick-up program that accepts compostable plastic, contact your garbage/recycling company or local government to find out if there are any drop-off locations for your compostable plastic items.
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The different types of plastic and their recyclability
Plastic recycling is critical to improving the environment and bettering waste management solutions. However, less than 10% of plastic waste generated worldwide has ever been recycled, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. This is due to a variety of barriers, including a lack of awareness around the different types of plastic and their specific recycling requirements.
There are seven different types of plastic, each with its own recycling symbol, ranging from 1 to 7, with 7 being 'other'. These symbols are known as resin codes and help identify the type of plastic and its recyclability. The lower the number, the more likely the plastic is to be easily recyclable.
The most commonly recycled plastic is PET, or Polyethylene Terephthalate, which is widely used for clear single-use plastic bottles for water, soda, and other drinks. It is also used for cooking oil containers and is easily recyclable, often being part of curbside recycling programs. Recycled PET can be reused to make new containers, carpets, and furniture.
HDPE, or High-Density Polyethylene, is another commonly recycled plastic, marked with the number 2. It is used for thicker coloured plastic bottles and tubs, such as shampoo bottles and margarine tubs. It is also used for milk jugs and detergent bottles due to its low weight and high strength. Recycled HDPE can be turned into plastic lumber, tables, roadside curbs, benches, and other durable products.
PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is marked with the number 3 and is not widely recycled. It is used in a variety of products, from healthcare to wire and cable insulation, as well as bubble foils and trays for sweets and fruit.
LDPE, or Low-Density Polyethylene, is marked with the number 4 and is a flexible plastic commonly used for shopping bags and plastic bags from grocery stores. While technically recyclable, it is often not recycled due to the risk of tangling in recycling machinery and the low financial viability of recycling cheap, low-quality plastic.
PP, or Polypropylene, is marked with the number 5 and is widely recycled. It is used in trays, tubs, and containers, such as yoghurt pots, thanks to its durability, strength, and low weight. Recycled PP is often used for industrial applications, such as auto parts and speed bumps.
Finally, the number 6 symbol represents PS or Polystyrene, which is used for disposable plates, cups, meat trays, and carryout containers. It is difficult to recycle and is not accepted by many curbside recycling programs.
In addition to these specific types, there are other plastics that fall under the ''other' category, marked with the number 7. These include acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. While not all of these can be recycled, both acrylic and polycarbonate can be, and they can be repurposed for future projects as they can be reheated without losing quality.
It is important to note that the recyclability of plastic can vary depending on your local area, so it is always worth checking your town's legislation and rules for recycling to ensure you are disposing of plastic waste correctly.
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Frequently asked questions
The number 1 inside the recycling symbol on plastics stands for PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate), which is a widely recycled plastic that is mainly used in clear single-use plastic, such as bottles.
The number 2 inside the recycling symbol on plastics stands for HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), which is one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States. It is widely recycled and can be found in thicker coloured plastic bottles and tubs, such as shampoo bottles and margarine tubs.
The "chasing arrows" symbol on plastic does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable. The number inside the triangle is there to help identify the type of plastic used for the product.
