Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We’ve all heard it and have become accustomed to seeing the infamous recycling symbol on our products. But, what does it mean when there is a number inside the three arrows? Not all plastics can be recycled in the same way or be recycled at all. Plastics have their own identification codes or numbers to tell us what type of plastic they are and where to recycle them.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website EcoPlas.
How are Plastics Identified?
Plastics are identified by Resin Identification Codes, RIC, which are typically listed on the bottom or side of a plastic product.
What is a Plastic Resin Code?
Resin codes were developed in 1988, by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), to help standardize the materials used in different plastic products. Plastic products that are labeled with a resin identification code can be more easily identified and recycled or disposed of accordingly.
The original design was composed of three arrows pointing to each other in a triangular shape.
In 2013, the resin coding system was updated to be numerals contained by a solid triangle. The RIC was originally developed with the sole purpose of identifying resin content, and the SPI felt that the chasing arrows graphic was too commonly associated with recyclability.
Not all resin codes are recyclable, and the ones that often have nuances; for example, plastic 5 (PP) can be picked up by most curbside recycling programs, plastic 4 (LDPE) mostly has to be returned to the store to be recycled, and plastic 6 (PS) is often incinerated because it would be too costly to recycle.
SPI felt that the original design created confusion for the public, and wanted a new icon to clarify that the RIC was not meant to indicate recyclability, but resin identification and quality control prior to recycling.
Pro Tip: Many manufacturers still have not updated their resin molds to reflect the 2013 updated model. For this reason, you will see the chasing arrows model on most consumer products in the marketplace.
Here’s a quick look at which plastics are typically accepted by curbside recycling programs and which are not:
Plastics which are typically accepted by curbside recycling programs*:Plastics which are not typically accepted by curbside recycling programs*:#1- Polyethylene Terephthalate PETE#3- Polyvinyl Chloride PVC#2- High Density Polyethylene HDPE#4- Low Density Polyethylene LDPE#5- Polypropylene PP#6- Polystyrene PS #7- Other*Before disposal of any product, check with your commercial hauler to confirm that they are accepting plastics in your area. Disposal options for each resin code vary by state and facility.
What are the Different Plastic Recycling Codes?
Resin codes are contained by a triangle formation. There are seven resin codes, 1-7, to identify plastic products. Each number represents a different type of plastic and how/where it can be disposed.
Plastic Number 1 – PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Polyethylene terephthalate can be abbreviated as PET or PETE.
PET is one of the most commonly used plastics in consumer foodservice products.
PET plastics are meant for single use.
Plastic number 1 has a low risk of leaching and is considered safe.
Did You Know: What is leaching? Leaching is the transfer or leaking of chemicals from the plastic to the food or beverage it holds. Chemical exposure as a result of leaching has been linked to several health problems including cancer, asthma, obesity, and heart disease. The FDA currently regulates plastics used in food packaging to ensure its safety.
PET is lightweight, smooth and shatter resistant.
PET can be manufactured into clear PET or oven-ready/CPET.
Clear PET can withstand temperatures between -20° F – 120° F*. It is a popular food packaging material due to its glass-like transparency and ability to retain product freshness.
Oven-ready/CPET can withstand temperatures between 32° F – 400° F*. It’s ability to withstand a wide range of temperatures makes it ideal for freezer-to-oven product applications.
Product Examples:
PETE plastics are recyclable and accepted by most curbside recycling programs. They should be rinsed and dried before collection. After being recycled, PET is turned into flakes which can be used for spinning carpet fiber, fiberfill, or tote bags.
Plastic Number 2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
High-density polyethylene is commonly abbreviated as HDPE.
HDPE is long lasting, extremely durable, and resistant to deterioration.
High-density polyethylene is safe to be reused
Plastic number 2 has a low risk of leaching and is considered safe.
HDPE can withstand temperatures between -40° F – 266° F*.
Product Examples:
HDPE plastics are recyclable and may be accepted by some curbside recycling programs depending on the product. They should be rinsed and dried before collection.
After being recycled, plastic number 2 is reprocessed into plastic fencing, picnic tables, and lawn chairs.
Plastic Number 3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Polyvinyl chloride is most commonly referred to as Vinyl or PVC.
PVC is light weight and versatile.
PVC is meant for single use.
Polyvinyl chloride can break down into dangerous chemicals like vinyl chloride.
PVC can withstand temperatures between 0° F – 150° F*.
Product Examples:
PVC plastics are not typically accepted by curbside recycling programs but may be accepted at some recycling drop-off centers.
PVC can be reprocessed into products such as traffic cones, garden hoses, and floor mats.
Plastic Number 4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
Low-density polyethylene is abbreviated as LDPE.
Low-density polyethylene is safe to be reused.
It is very flexible, durable, and lightweight making it a common plastic to be used in food film and squeezable bottles.
LDPE is considered safe and is not known to leach any chemicals.
LDPE can withstand temperatures between -58° F – 185° F*.
LDPE plastics are not typically accepted by curbside recycling programs but may be accepted at some recycling drop-off centers.
After being recycled, LDPE can be reprocessed into trash can liners, composite lumber, and piping.
The company is the world’s best recycled polypropylene plastic granules supplier HongKong supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Plastic Number 5 – PP (Polypropylene)
Polypropylene, or PP, is durable and lightweight.
Polypropylene is safe to be reused.
Polypropylene has a high melting point which makes it a popular choice for hot liquids.
PP can withstand temperatures between 0° F – 250° F*.
Product Examples:
Number 5, PP plastics are becoming increasingly accepted by curbside recycling programs. They should be rinsed and dried before collection.
After being recycled, plastic number 5 can be reprocessed into bins, bike racks, ice scrapers, and brooms.
Plastic Number 6 – PS (Polystyrene)
Polystyrene is lightweight, versatile, and cheap.
Polystyrene plastics are meant for single use.
Plastic number 6 contains the chemicals styrene and benzene. These chemicals can transfer to foods and drinks if not used properly.
Polystyrene is not safe to be microwaved or heated.
Polystyrene can withstand temperatures between 20° F – 180° F*.
Although polystyrene can be recycled, Number 6 plastics are not typically accepted by curbside recycling programs but may be accepted at some recycling drop-off centers.
Polystyrene is difficult to recycle because it is lightweight but does not break down easily. Recycling is calculated by weight and because polystyrene is recycled in such large quantities, but with so little weight, it is not profitable for recycling companies to accept. Recycling polystyrene uses more energy and costs more than the benefits received from recycling.
Polystyrene can be manufactured into expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), more commonly known as Styrofoam.
Plastic Number 7 – Other (Acrylic, Nylon, Fiberglass, Miscellaneous)
Number 7 plastics are a group of various plastics that did not fall into groups 1-6.
They vary in resin and chemical make-up.
Other plastics include: acrylic, polycarbonate, nylon, fiberglass, compostable plastics, polylactic acid (PLA)
Product Examples:
Number 7 plastics vary in plastic resin, making it difficult for curbside recycling programs to accept. Some number 7 plastic products may be composted, some may be recycled, and some are considered trash.
To find out more information about your number 7 plastic product, contact the manufacturer.
Contact your local commercial hauler to see if they are currently accepting your number 7 plastic products.
*Actual tolerance may vary by manufacturer, product, and/or material.
For a better understanding of resin ID codes and which products are recyclable, reach out to our experts at Imperial Dade today.
We can set you up with a free consultation to go over your product options and disposal options; Imperial Dade will help you develop a food service program that benefits your business’ bottom line and the environment.
Plastic is like trees: it’s everywhere, and you know it when you see it, but you probably can’t explain the difference between types. And why would you be able to? Life is complicated enough without having to commit to memory the ways that HDPE differs from LDPE; unless, of course, you work in the plastics recycling industry.
At Miller Recycling, plastic is one of the materials we receive and process. It’s also the most complicated material to recycle, in part because consumers don’t know what types can be disposed of and in which ways.
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. 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.
There’s a good chance you’ve held something made of this plastic type today. 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.
PET/PETE products CAN be recycled.
HDPE plastics are also extremely common. They’re those used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers and detergent bottles.
HDPE products CAN be recycled.
PVC is a soft, flexible plastic, so it’s used for a huge array of household products. Plastic tubing, kids’ toys, plastic trays and furniture are often made out of PVC.
PVC products CANNOT be recycled.
A lot of plastic wrappings are made of LDPE plastic. It’s also used to make grocery bags and the bags that hold newspapers, sliced bread loaves and fresh produce, among other things.
LDPE products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.
PP is used to make the food containers used for products like yogurt, sour cream and margarine. It’s also made into straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps.
PP products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.
Styrofoam products are made out of PS plastic, so it’s commonly used to make disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers and to-go food containers.
PS products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.
Any type of plastic that doesn’t fit into one of the first six categories falls under this heading. Products stamped with a 7 are often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can’t easily be recycled.
#7 products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.
Just because a plastic type can be recycled doesn’t mean your local municipality wants you to put it into your recycling bin for collection. It’s not viable for some plastics recycling companies to take hard-to-process plastic products like Styrofoam. Bags made of type 4 plastic, like produce and grocery bags, also shouldn’t be put into recycling bins because they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. Grocery stores collect these bags for proper plastics recycling.
Both individuals and businesses should also bear in mind that here in Massachusetts, the statewide waste ban prohibits the disposal of any single resin narrow-necked bottles (aka, soda bottles) in trash bins. Recycling these containers isn’t just an option: it’s the law.
So what does all of that mean for you? A few things:
Trust your plastics recycling questions to Miller Recycling. Our team can help your business establish an efficient and cost-effective system for recycling plastics, and we pay competitively for large quantities of plastics including hard-to-recycle varieties.
We know that plastics recycling can be confusing. We can provide guidance and solutions to all your plastics needs. As always, contact us with questions.
For more information, please visit recycled abs plastic material factory China.