Understanding the Plastic Recycling Codes. Understanding the Plastic Recycling Codes; Blog Post. Where you'll find them: [1] Plastic Recycling Codes Number 1 Code - Polyethylene Terephthalate, PETE Number 2 Code - High Density Polyethylene, HDPE Number 3 Code - Polyvinyl Chloride, PVC Number 4 Code - Low Density Polyethylene, LDPE Number 5 Code - Polypropylene, PP Number 6 Code - Polystyrene, PS Number 7 Code - Other Background Like PET plastics, HDPE plastics are picked up by most curbside recycling companies. How2Recycle 's plastic recycling symbols are labels that have clear instructions on how to treat a specific item, instead of the complicated RIC numbered system. Recycle BC November 27, 2014 If you take a close look at the bottom of a plastic bottle or jar, you might notice a symbol consisting of a number surrounded by a triangle or three arrows in the shape of a trianglethis is called the resin identification code. This type of plastic is often clear in colour. ExxonMobil is expanding its ability . Why is plastic recycling important? If you want to know about the other plastic recycling codes, here are some links plastic by Numbers overview, plastic No 1 - PET, plastic No 2 - HDPE, plastic No 3 - PVC, plastic No 4 - LDPE, plastic No 5 - PP, plastic No 6 - PS. Codes 2, 4, and 5 are the plastics considered to be the safest in terms of human and animal consumption. The recycling code of plastic is a number used to designate the material with which a plastic object is made from to help streamline the recycling process. The #7 category was designed as a catch-all for polycarbonate (PC) and "other" plastics, so reuse and recycling protocols aren't standardized within this category. The number is a resin identification code, used to help recycling plants sort materials.Recyclable plastics are labeled with numbers 1-7 to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be processed. It is always advisable to avoid this type. The types of plastics accepted for recycling vary by location, and wishcycling does more harm than good. It's important to become familiar with an item's SPI (Society of the Plastics Industry) code, which is also known as a resin identification number and is used to classify the different types of plastic. Additionally, expanded PVC foam board is used for a wide variety of commercial applications. Plastic Number 1 - PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate) That number surrounded by chasing arrows is a resin identification code and tells users what kind of plastic they're holding. These are (1) polyethylene terephthalate, (2) high-density polyethylene, (3) polyvinyl chloride, (4) low-density polyethylene, (5) polypropylene, (6) polystyrene, and (7) other plastics. To help you understand the different categories, here's a breakdown of those tiny numbers. The scary thing is that no plastic is 100% safe, but some plastics are worse than others. Plastics with Codes 3,6 and 7 cannot be recycled under standard recycling procedures and may pose harm to health and the environment. 20. It is commonly accepted by curbside recycling. PET Plastic Water Storage Tank Health, Safety, & Sanitation Advice Question: Uncategorized. Comments Off on Understanding the Plastic Recycling Codes. This code ensures that the numbers inside the recycling symbol on plastic containers are the only numbers valid for the purpose of recycling. Not all plastics are the same, however, and this means that not all of them can be disposed of and recycled in the same manner. 10 May. PP is used in packaging and manufacturing large moulded parts for automotive products. Code 1 is considered safe, but it is best to avoid this plastic. Plastics with Code 1 is considered safe to recycle, but it can be recycled only once. If you cannot avoid using some plastics. Additionally, it is also found in most food packaging. You can identify plastic number 7 by the chasing arrows with a seven inside. Symbol 3: PVC or Vinyl Plastic material that exhibit symbol 3 with the letter "V" represent PVC plastic or polyvinyl chloride. plastics with the number 6 recycling code can be recycled through various curbside collection schemes.insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons, vents, rulers, foam packaging, and carry-out containers are some of the products that may be made from recycled materials.in the form of foam goods, polystyrene is more often recognized by its There are seven resin codes, 1-7, to identify plastic products. The Resin Identification Code (RIC) was developed in 1988 by the Plastics Industry Association. That's . No. Codes 3, 6, and 7 are generally not recyclable. The ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System, often abbreviated RIC, is a set of symbols appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic resin out of which the product is made. Clean wrappers can be dropped off at a box in the store. Plastics with codes 3, 4, 5, and 6 are more difficult to recycle so it depends on your local facility. The recycling symbol on the bottom of a plastic product does not necessarily indicate that the item can be recycled. Plastic Recycling Code 6 PS Polystyrene is a popular plastic for creating foam, but can also be used in rigid applications. Plastic #5 - PP (Polypropylene) Plastic #5 is also among the safer plastics one can recycle. This plastic is recycled into compost bins, panelling, trash can liners and cans, floor tiles, and shipping envelopes. Below we explain each of the recycling codes and what they actually mean. In rigid applications, polystyrene is found in consumer products such as cups, as Styrofoam. The recycling codes a.k.a. Plastic has been around now for the last 60-70 years, and in that time we have managed to incorporate it into practically every part of our lives. The number 5 with the recycling symbol indicates polypropylene, often just shortened to PP. PVC is also cheap, so it's . Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. 20. PETE or PET (#1) - the first of the plastic recycling numbers. According to a Greenpeace report, U.S. households generated about 51 million tons of plastic waste last year - or about 309 pounds per person - but only 2.4 million tons were recycled. [12] [13] Contents 1 History The goal is to collect 50 . You can find it in high-quality products and single-use throw . those little numbers inside the triangle made with arrows most often found on the bottom of a plastic product designate which plastics are more toxic and which are safer. These should be Avoided. shampoo bottles, milk jugs, oil cans 03 PVC Originally published on June 5, 2018, this post was updated in February 2022. This is a very informative article from EarthEasy helping us understand the codes and number used on plastics. Plastic Recycling Codes - Article & Infographic. Classification of the 7 identification codes for plastics. The number 7 code is used for plastics other than 1 through 6, or for multilayer combinations of plastics, such as 5-gallon water containers. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is trying to push through a new plastic recycling code system that is more consumer-friendly. You may come across this plastic in bubble foils, and trays for sweets and fruit. Here is a quick explanation of what kinds of plastics the resin identification codes identify. Back in 1988, the recycling symbol code was created and designed by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) to help provide a standard and uniform method to identify different types of plastics. Plastics with code 7 are rarely recyclable so are best thrown out. Plastic is a component of many consumer products, accounting for much of the manufacturing industry's output and final produce. Many people think that this symbol means that the package can be recycled. [citation needed] These numbers are placed inside the equilateral triangle, with . Each number represents a different type of plastic and how/where it can be disposed. Check with them before recycling. By Karen Wilson-Harris. But it also helps recycling collectors determine what items they can accept and which ones go in the trash. Resin codes are contained by three arrows in a triangle formation. Although it is common to find this category of plastic in sunglasses and DVDs, it is also used for some types of water bottles and even food packaging. The number (1-7) in the triangle holds the clue to the type of plastic you're dealing with. In the case of ABS, the recycling code is 7. Resin identification code. The presence on an item of a recycling code, a chasing arrows logo, or a resin code, is not an automatic indicator that a material is recyclable; it is an explanation of what the item is made of. Find Plastic recycling codes stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. The presence of a resin code doesn't necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. Recycling-Codes: Materials Identification Here are the classifications for each material and each type's recycling information. Limit your use of plastics. The material is clear, strong, and has a barrier to moisture. foils, food containers, soft drink bottles 02 HDPE High-density polyethylene i.e. Each number identifies the composition and recyclable characteristics of the respective plastic packaging material. PLASTIC RECYCLING PROCESSES It was created for workers in the plastic and recycling industry to be able to sort and recycle plastics more efficiently. Question: 19. Almost all plastic products bear the general recycling symbol: a triangle formed by three circling arrows. NUMBER 7: OTHERS (MIX OF OTHER PLASTICS) Code number 7 includes a wide variety of plastics which are very difficult to recycle. Recycling centers have the equipment to process these plastics, and there are plenty of manufacturers willing to buy them. If a ketchup bottle has plastic recycling code 7 molded into the bottom of the bottle, what kind of plastic is the bottle made from? Each RIC corresponds to a specific type of resin used in a plastic product. Polypropylene lid of a Tic Tac box, with a living hinge and the resin identification code, 5, under its flap. The chasing arrow symbol with a number inside is the indicator . There are seven recycle codes that are used on plastic products that show what kind of plastics are used in each product. Its use in foam is due to its high melting point, which can prevent fires from spreading or releasing toxic fumes during accidents. PET is easily recycled via curbside recycling pickup services. 1: PET or PETE This is the thin, clear plastic used for bottled water, soda, juices, condiments, etc. Of primary concern with #7 plastics, however, is that the potential for chemical leaching into food or drink products packaged in polycarbonate containers made using BPA (Bisphenol A). The plastics industry has been criticised for lobbying for the expansion of recycling programs, even while industry research showed that most plastic could not be economically recycled and simultaneously increasing the amount of virgin plastic, or plastic that has not been recycled, being produced. 1 - Polyethylene terephthalate ( PETE or PET ) 2 - High density polyethylene ( HDPE ) 3 - Polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) 4 - Low density polyethylene ( LDPE ) 5 - Polypropylene ( PP ) 6 - Polystyrene ( PS ) 7- Others, including . RIC Codes are used to identify seven different types of plastic resins, which are numbered 1-7. In fact, not all plastic products can be recycled, despite having a three chasing arrow symbol as we usually see on recyclable items. Plastic-Recycling Recycling number 01 PET Description Polyethylene terephthalate i.e. It is abbreviated from Polyethylene Terephthalate, it is most commonly found in soda, water, and juice bottles. Yes, recycle plastic codes #1 and #2 Recycling codes #1 (hard) and #2 are the most widely accepted. A product made of plastic is often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. Vaillancourt says. Codes have been developed for batteries, biomatter/organic material, glass, metals, paper, and plastics. The number in the triangle indicates the type of plastic. It's the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. The categories that were developed were as follows. Bee Joyful Shop, at 243 S. Kalamazoo Mall in downtown Kalamazoo, is collecting candy wrappers to be recycled. Plastics with codes 1 and 2 are easy to process so they are taken by almost all recycling facilities. Use this simple guide to plastic recycling codes and look for the recycling indicator or label on your plastic container. Some plastics leech endocrine-disrupting chemicals, cause endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, nervous system damage, and cancer. Cyclyx, ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell are members of the Houston Recycling Collaboration whose mission is to help the city of Houston significantly increase plastic recycling rates, leveraging new technologies and infrastructure, such as this Cyclyx facility, to recycle nearly all plastics. If a ketchup bottle has plastic recycling code 7 molded into the bottom of the bottle, what kind of plastic is the bottle made from? 3 Plastic Recycling Symbol #3: PVC or V. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and V (vinyl) is tough and weathers well, so it's commonly used for things like piping and siding. A recycling symbol is an identification code that uses a plastic recycling number to identify the type of plastic used in that product. It is a resin identification code which is usually mistaken as a recycling symbol because of the stark similarity between the two. HDPE or PE-HD When the little triangle has a 2 inside and the code of either HDPE or PE-HD under it, you know that the plastic it adorns is made from high-density polyethylene. Plastic number 7 often recycles to material such as . What are the Different Plastic Recycling Codes? Plastic Recycling Symbol #1: PET or PETE PET (or PETE) is short for Polyethylene Terephthalate, which is the chemical name for polyester. There are seven types of plastic recycling codes ranging from one to seven and each one has different purposes, properties, and ways to recycle it. 1: Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE / PET) This number represents the most commonly recycled. Our photo (left) shows an image of the plastic recycling code #7. . The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) introduced a code system in 1988 that helps with recycling plastic by numbers.