Table of Contents
Plastics by the Numbers #1 – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) #2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) #3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) #4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) #5 – PP (Polypropylene) #6 – PS (Polystyrene) #7 – Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN).
What do the numbers on the plastics mean?
The number to found on the bottom of plastics is not a recycling symbol. but rather a plastic or resin identification code. It advises what type of plastic the. item is made from but not if it is recyclable. Most hard plastics coded 1-7 can be.
How do you read a recycling code?
Recycling plastics – what the numbers mean + cheat sheet 1 – PETE – Polyethylene Terephthalate. 2 – HDPE – High density Polyethylene. 3 – PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride. 4 – LDPE Low-density Polyethylene. 5 – PP – Polypropylene. 6 – PS – Polystyrene. 7 – Other.
What are Number 6 plastics?
Number 6 plastic stands for polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam. This is one of the plastic recycling codes that must be avoided or, at least, reused as it is hard to recycle 6 plastic. 6 plastic is cheap to produce, lightweight and it can be easily formed. We meet it in the form of rigid polystyrene and formed styrofoam.
How does plastic identification code work?
The Plastics Identification Code identifies the type of plastic resin a product is made from. The voluntary Code makes it easier for re-processors to identify and separate used plastics for a range of new applications.
What are the plastic codes?
THE 7 CODES FOR PLASTICS NUMBER 1: PET OR PETE (POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) NUMBER 2: HDPE (HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE) NUMBER 3: V AND PVC (VINYLS AND POLYVINYL CHLORIDE) NUMBER 4: LDPE (LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE) NUMBER 5: PP (POLYPROPYLENE) NUMBER 6: PS (POLYSTYRENE) NUMBER 7: OTHERS (MIX OF OTHER PLASTICS).
What are the 7 recycling symbols?
What Those Little Numbers Mean Recycling No. Abbreviation Polymer Name 4 LDPE Low density polyethylene 5 PP Polypropylene 6 PS Polystyrene 7 Other Other plastics, including acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, fiberglass, nylon, polycarbonate, and polylactic acid.
What does 1 Pete mean on plastic?
1: PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate) PET or PETE is what’s used to make bottles for soda, water and other drinks. It’s also used to make cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars and containers for other popular food items.
What does a 7 mean in recycling?
Number 7 – OTHER: They are made of any combination of 1-6 or another, less commonly used plastic. Biodegradable plastics, like cups made of corn, are NOT recyclable. Though they have the recycling #7, this only means “other plastics”, including non-petroleum based.
What type of plastic Cannot be recycled?
However, thermoset plastics “contain polymers that cross-link to form an irreversible chemical bond,” meaning that no matter how much heat you apply, they cannot be remelted into new material and hence, non-recyclable.
Why is number 6 plastic not recyclable?
Although you may read that #6 plastic or polystyrene is “accepted” by your local recycling hauler, it is often not recoverable. As with straws and bottle caps, these items are difficult to recycle because they don’t fall easily out of recycling sorting lines the way containers do.
What are the 7 types of plastic?
The Basics On 7 Common Types of Plastic 1) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) 2) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) 3) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl) 4) Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) 5) Polypropylene (PP) 6) Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam) 7) Other.
What is a number 7 plastic?
Number 7 plastics are used to make baby bottles, sippy cups, water cooler bottles and car parts. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on the bottom with the letters “PC” by the recycling label #7. When possible it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children’s food.
How can you tell if plastic is virgin?
Put simply, it is a polymer in its pure form. Many polymers – such as PTFE, PEEK and Nylons – are used by adding a filler such as glass or carbon to enhance the material properties. In virgin plastic, no fillers have been added.
Can number 5 plastic be recycled?
5 – PP (Polypropylene) – Recyclable Plastic (Check Local Authority) PP can be recycled. However, you will need to check with your Local Authority to ensure it is recycled in your area. Plastic bags or film that can’t be stretched- these are not recyclable.
Why are plastic identification codes are used?
Resin Identification Codes are the number that you see on the bottom of some rigid plastic packaging. They were originally developed in the 1980s to categorise plastic into types, to ensure consistency in plastics manufacturing and recycled plastics reprocessing.
Which plastic number is safe?
Now, it has been established that these seven plastic resin identifying codes have different toxicity levels. Although, the best is to avoid plastic usage at all, if you have to use it, there are certain codes that are safer than the others. Generally, codes 2, 4 and 5 are better than code 1, 3, 6 and 7.
Is a 5 plastic BPA free?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics. It’s also used in epoxy resins that coat the insides of canned goods and water supply pipes. BPA leaches into food and water supplies easily. Polypropylene is one type of plastic that’s free of BPA.
Is number 7 plastic safe?
Packaging will confirm that this #7 plastic is a PLA plastic, and is safe to use. Polycarbonate is a clear, rigid plastic, and it’s marked with #7 PC. It’s not recyclable, and it contains BPA (Bisphenol A). Generally, if you find a clear, hard plastic product without a number on it, it’s PC 7 plastic.
What does 5 in a triangle mean?
A 5 inside the triangle indicates the plastic is polypropylene or PP. It is commonly found in medicine bottles, straws, bottle caps, ketchup bottles and syrup bottles, and some yogurt containers. This plastic is often chosen for bottles and containers that must accept hot liquids as it has a high melting point.
Is number 6 plastic recyclable?
Most hard plastics coded 1-7 can be recycled in your yellow lidded recycling bin. However expanded polystyrene foam, number 6, and plastic bags which are usually number 2 or 4 cannot be recycled through kerbside recycling bins.
What do the 3 arrows mean in recycling?
Each of the three arrows can represent one step in a three-step process that forms a closed loop, the recycling loop. The first step represents collection of materials to be recycled. The third step is the actual purchase and use of the products made from the recycled materials. The loop is now complete.
