Ethan Clarke
Recycling symbols are used to help us identify different types of packaging and whether they can be recycled. They are tied to a resin identification code, or simply, the type of plastic used in manufacturing. The three chasing arrows symbol, designed by Gary Anderson in 1970, is the universal recycling symbol used to indicate that a material is recyclable. However, the presence of this symbol does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable. The numbers within the symbol indicate the grade of plastic and can also tell us about the safety and uses of the item.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of creation | 1970 |
| Creator | Gary Anderson |
| Purpose | To indicate that a material is recyclable |
| Types | "Chasing arrows", "seedling", "On-Pack Recycling Label", "crossed-out wheelie bin", etc. |
| Placement | Bottom of plastic bottles |
| Number of symbols | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
The history of the universal recycling symbol
The universal recycling symbol, consisting of three chasing arrows folded in a Möbius strip, is an internationally recognized symbol for recycling. It was created by Gary Dean Anderson, then a 23-year-old student at the University of Southern California, for the Container Corporation of America (CCA) on the first Earth Day in April 1970. The symbol is not trademarked and is in the public domain, with anyone being able to use or modify it royalty-free.
The CCA, a large producer of recycled paperboard, sponsored a contest for art and design students across the country to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote cardboard's reusable properties. Anderson's design, which was chosen from over 500 submissions, was inspired by the Bauhaus design school and M.C. Escher’s graphic representations of the Möbius strip. The Bauhaus movement, which operated in Germany from 1919 to 1933, was known for its approach to design, which melded crafts and fine arts. The arrows on the recycling symbol, indicative of a never-ending path, serve as a visual representation of the ideal, cradle-to-cradle path that consumer products should take.
The logo is usually displayed with the arrows circulating clockwise, forming a Möbius strip with three half-twists. However, there are many variations of the logo, with some variants having only one half-twist. The American Paper Institute originally promoted four different variants of the recycling symbol for different purposes. The plain Möbius loop, either white with an outline or solid black, was used to indicate that a product was recyclable. The other two variants had the Möbius loop inside a circle, with the white-on-black version used for 100% recycled fiber and the black-on-white version for products containing both recycled and unrecycled fiber.
In 1988, the American Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) developed the resin identification code, which is used to indicate the predominant plastic material used in a product or its packaging. These symbols are loosely based on the Möbius loop symbol but feature simpler bent arrows that can be embossed on plastic surfaces. The arrows form a flat, two-dimensional triangle, and the codes extend beyond plastic to include materials such as metals, glass, paper, and cardboard.
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The seven plastic recycling symbols
- PETE: This symbol represents polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used for soft drink bottles, water containers, juice containers, and cooking oil containers. It is easily recyclable and can be reused to make containers, carpet, and furniture.
- HDPE: This symbol stands for high-density polyethylene, one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States. It is widely used for containers like milk jugs, detergent bottles, and cleaning agent bottles due to its low weight and high strength. HDPE can be recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, and more.
- PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is rarely recycled and is not usually included in curbside recycling programs. However, it can be recycled into products like speed bumps, roadway gutters, and cables.
- LDPE: This symbol stands for low-density polyethylene, a flexible plastic used for shopping bags, highly resistant sacks, crushed bottles, and squeezable bottles. LDPE is not commonly recycled through curbside programs, but some communities are starting to accept it.
- PP: Polypropylene is a durable, strong, and lightweight plastic often used in furniture, luggage, toys, and the automotive industry. It is increasingly accepted in curbside recycling programs and can be recycled into brushes, battery cases, and bike racks.
- PS: This symbol stands for polystyrene, commonly used in toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewelry, CD cases, and vending cups. PS is not widely accepted in curbside recycling programs, but it can be recycled into egg cartons, takeout containers, and rulers.
- OTHER: This category includes plastics like acrylic, polycarbonate, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. Acrylic and polycarbonate can be recycled and repurposed for various projects.
It is important to note that the presence of a recycling symbol, such as the chasing arrows, does not always indicate that an item is recyclable. It is crucial to understand the specific symbols and your local recycling guidelines to ensure proper waste disposal.
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How to recycle plastic products
The universal recycling symbol, with its three chasing arrows, was designed by Gary Anderson in 1970. It is used to indicate that a material is recyclable and is applied to glass, metals, paper, plastics, and organics, as well as other items like batteries. However, the presence of this symbol does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable.
Recycling plastic products is important to prevent them from ending up in landfills or harming marine life. However, less than 10% of plastic waste generated worldwide has been recycled. One of the barriers to recycling plastic is a lack of awareness about the seven plastic recycling symbols, which represent different types of plastic with distinct recycling instructions.
To recycle plastic products effectively, it is crucial to understand the different recycling symbols and the specific processing criteria for each type of plastic. Different plastics have varying needs, such as different melting temperatures, and they are ultimately recycled into different products. Placing the wrong items in a recycling bin can damage equipment, contaminate recyclable materials, or negatively affect the recycling process.
- Check with your local recycling program or municipality to understand the accepted materials and any specific requirements.
- Look for the recycling symbols on plastic products and separate them according to the symbols.
- Rinse or wipe plastic containers to remove food residue before placing them in the recycling bin.
- Cut off sealable zippers from plastic bags before recycling them.
- Recycle plastic bags, wraps, and films through store drop-off programs if they are not accepted in your curbside recycling program.
- When possible, purchase products made from recycled plastic materials to support the market for recycled goods.
- Reuse and recycle plastic items as many times as possible to reduce the need to create new plastic.
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How to identify different types of plastic
In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, which categorised plastic resins into seven groups, each with its own symbol and number. These symbols are not a guarantee of recyclability but are meant to help identify the type of plastic and its safety and uses.
Plastic Number 1: PET or PETE
This plastic is also known as polyethylene terephthalate. It is commonly used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. It is easily recyclable and can be reused to make containers, carpet, and furniture. It is also commonly recycled into fibres or polar fleece.
Plastic Number 2: HDPE
This acronym stands for high-density polyethylene. It is one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States and is used for a variety of purposes, including containers for items like milk, detergents, and cleaning agents. It is lightweight, strong, and easily recyclable into pipes, oil bottles, pens, detergent bottles, and plastic lumber.
Plastic Number 3: PVC
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is rarely recycled and is not usually part of curbside recycling programmes. However, it can be recycled into products like speed bumps, roadway gutters, and cables.
Plastic Number 4: LDPE
LDPE stands for low-density polyethylene. It is commonly found in shopping bags, highly resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. LDPE is not typically recycled, but it can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
Plastic Number 5: PP
PP stands for polypropylene. It is a durable, strong, and lightweight plastic used in furniture, luggage, toys, and the automotive industry. It is increasingly accepted in curbside recycling programmes and can be recycled into brushes, battery cases, and bike racks.
Plastic Number 6: PS
PS stands for polystyrene or styrene plastic. It is commonly used in toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewellery, CD cases, and vending cups. It is not widely accepted in curbside recycling programmes but can be recycled into egg cartons, takeout containers, and rulers.
Plastic Number 7: OTHER
This group includes plastics that do not fall into the previous six categories, such as acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibres, nylon, and fibreglass. While not all plastics in this group can be recycled, some, like acrylic and polycarbonate, can be repurposed for future projects.
Additionally, there are other ways to identify plastics, such as the float test and burn test, but these methods may not provide specific identifications.
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The importance of recycling symbols
Recycling symbols are an important tool in the fight against plastic pollution and its harmful effects on the environment. By understanding the symbols, consumers can make informed decisions about recycling and proper waste disposal, ensuring that plastic items do not end up in landfills or oceans, contributing to pollution and habitat destruction.
The universal recycling symbol, with its iconic three-arrow design, has become easily recognizable worldwide. However, it is important to note that variations of this symbol do not always indicate recyclability. Each variation is associated with a specific material or type of plastic, providing detailed information about the product's composition and recyclability.
For example, the number "1" with the acronym "PETE" or "PETG" represents polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used for soft drink bottles and food packaging. This type of plastic is easily recyclable and is often included in curbside recycling programs. On the other hand, the number "7" with the word "OTHER" indicates "other plastics," including acrylic, polycarbonate, and fiberglass, which may or may not be accepted by local recycling programs.
Understanding these symbols is crucial for effective waste segregation and ensuring that the wrong items are not placed in recycling bins, which can damage equipment, contaminate recyclable materials, and hinder the recycling process. By knowing the specific processing criteria for different plastics, consumers can actively contribute to sustainability and environmental protection.
Additionally, recycling symbols empower consumers to make eco-friendly choices. By understanding the types of plastics used in products, consumers can opt for reusable alternatives or recyclable options, reducing their carbon footprint and limiting waste. This awareness encourages a circular economy, minimizing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
The recycling symbols on plastic items are known as resin identification codes. They represent the type of plastic resin used to make the item. The numbers within the chasing arrows symbol range from 1 to 7 and define the grade of plastic and its safety and recycling instructions.
The original design of the universal recycling symbol was created by Gary Anderson in 1970. It featured three chasing arrows, representing the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle. The modern-day recycling symbols, with their specific variations, are based on this original design.
The recycling symbols help consumers identify different types of plastic and determine if they can be recycled, reused, or recycled correctly. They also provide insight into where and how to recycle an item.
There are seven plastic recycling symbols in the USA, with the rest of the world using more. The number of symbols is expected to grow as the need for better recycling systems increases.
