plastic numbers 1 7 chart

What do numbers 1-7 on recyclable plastics mean?

The number 1 to 7 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 recycled in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

What number plastics are safe?

To summarize, plastics in categories #2, #4 and #5 are generally considered safe. Be weary of putting them in the microwave, even if they are labeled “microwave-safe”. Plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 should be used with varying to extreme caution, especially around food or drink.

What are the 7 types of plastics?

What Are the 7 Types of Plastic?

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS)
7. Other

What is safe plastic number?

The health risks of cooking in plastic seem to include all forms of plastic according to literature. The worst offender is 6, polystyerene. A nemonic to help you remember which are considered the safest goes like this. Plastics number 4, and 2 are safe for you. Notes many other resources say 5 is likewise safe.

What are #1 through #7 plastics?

To summarize, there are 7 types of plastic exist in our current modern days:1 – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE or Polyester) ... 2 – High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) ... 3 – Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) ... 4 – Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) ... 5 – Polypropylene (PP) ... 6 – Polystyrene (PS)

What are the 7 grades of plastic?

The Basics On 7 Common Types of Plastic1) 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.

Is #7 plastic BPA free?

Code 7 is the recycling code for plastics that contain BPA and must be avoided at all cost. Although codes 3 and 6 technically do not contain BPA, the chemicals that are used to manufacture these products also pose serious risks to our health.

Which plastic numbers are toxic?

To make a long story short: plastic recycling numbers 2, 4 and 5 are the safest. Whereas plastic numbers 1, 3, 6 and 7 must be avoided. But it does not indicate that you can fearlessly use safer plastic. All plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged.

Is number 7 plastic safe?

To summarize, plastics in categories #2, #4 and #5 are generally considered safe. Be weary of putting them in the microwave, even if they are labeled “microwave-safe”. Plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 should be used with varying to extreme caution, especially around food or drink.

Is 7 plastic recyclable?

Plastics that have #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics. Plastics #3 , #4, #5, #6 and #7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs. Some packaging is unavoidable, but we can choose plastic packaging made from material that can be recycled.

What does a 7 in a triangle mean?

Any plastic that does not fall under one of those six types has a 7 inside the triangle. These plastics include nylon and polycarbonate and are found in certain food containers, signs and displays, computers and electronic devices, DVDs, sunglasses, and bulletproof materials.

What is the safest plastic?

The bottom line Polypropylene is a plastic that's used to make everything from rugs to sour cream containers. It's generally considered to be one of the safer plastics. The FDA has approved its use as a food container material, and there are no known cancer-causing effects associated with polypropylene.

Is number 7 plastic dishwasher safe?

Last year, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommended avoiding plastics with recycling codes 3 (phthalates), 6 (styrene) and 7 (bisphenols), unless they are labeled “biobased” or “greenware.” It also recommended against both heating food in plastics and putting plastics in the dishwasher.

What plastics should you avoid?

Plastics You Should AvoidPlastic #1 - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) ... Dangers of Type 1 Plastics. ... Plastic #2 - High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) ... Dangers of Type 2 Plastics. ... Plastic #3 - Vinyl or Polyvinyl Chloride (V or PVC) ... Dangers of Type 3 Plastics. ... Plastic #4 - Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)More items...

Is plastic code 1 Safe?

Remember, number 2, 4 and 5 are safer plastics. Number 1 is also safe, but should not be reused. Numbers 6 and 7 should not be used if you can avoid it. When a plastic says that it is microwavable, remember that it just means it won't melt in your microwave.

Which number plastic bottles are safe to reuse?

However, numbers 2 (high density polyethylene), 4 (low density polyethylene), and 5 (polypropylene) should be safe.

What are different grades of plastics?

The 7 Grades of Plastic GradeProperties1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)Clarity, toughness, barrier to gas and moisture, heat resistant, sinks in water.2 High density polyethylene (HDPE)Toughness, resistance to moisture and chemicals, ease of processing, permeability to gas, floats in water.5 more rows

What is PP and PE plastic?

Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) are used in much more than just poly bags. From stretch film to tape, plastic sheeting to strapping, plastic is everywhere. Better yet, both materials are recyclable, which makes them a great choice for those with sustainability in mind.

What is Grade A plastic?

A Grade Film: This grade consists of 95% clean, dry, clear, natural LDPE or LLDPE film. Any mix of post commercial or post-industrial film. Minimal amount of HDPE allowed; B Grade Film: This grade consists of 80% clear, up to 20% color, clean, natural LDPE and/or LLDPE films.

What are the types of plastics Class 8?

Types of Plastics Linear polymers and a combination of linear and cross-linked polymers come under thermoplastics. Example: PVC, nylon, polythene, etc. Thermosetting: Plastics that cannot be softened again by heating once they are moulded. Heavily cross-linked polymers come under the category of thermosetting plastics.

How much HDPE plastic is recycled?

However, since only about 30-35% of HDPE plastic used in America gets recycled each year, it’s wise to use as little as possible. To cut down, consider replacing your disposable produce bags with reusable alternatives.

What is the best plastic for cereal boxes?

Polypropylene plastic is tough and lightweight, and has excellent heat-resistance qualities. It serves as a barrier against moisture, grease and chemicals. When you try to open the thin plastic liner in a cereal box, it is polypropylene. This keeps your cereal dry and fresh.

What is HDPE plastic?

HDPE plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags. HDPE is the most commonly recycled plastic and is considered one of the safest forms of plastic. It is a relatively simple and cost-effective process to recycle HDPE plastic for secondary use.

What is the purpose of the little number in the chasing arrows triangle?

The purpose of the number is to identify the type of plastic used for the product, and not all plastics are recyclable or even reusable. There are numerous plastic-based products ...

What does a three in a water bottle mean?

A three indicates that the water bottle has been made from polyvinyl chloride, a five means that it’s been made of polypropylene, two materials that are not accepted by most public recycling centers. Here are the seven standard classifications for plastics, and the recycling and reuse information for each type.

Can plastic be recycled?

There are numerous plastic-based products that cannot break down and cannot be recycled. Understanding the seven plastic codes will make it easier to choose plastics and to know which plastics to recycle. For example, water bottles that display a three or a five cannot be recycled in most jurisdictions in the US.

Is polystyrene a carcinogen?

Polystyrene may leach styre ne, a possible human carcinogen, into food products (especially when heated in a microwave). Chemicals present in polystyrene have been linked with human health and reproductive system dysfunction. Recycling is not widely available for polystyrene products.

What is plastic number 1?

Plastic number 1 refers to polyethylene terephthalate which is one of the most generally used thermoplastic polymer resin. We know it as PETE or PET plastic. What is PET plastic in our daily life? Well, plastic 1 is most frequently used in water and beverages bottles, food jars and containers, salad dressing and oil bottles, clothes fiber, mouthwash bottles. Plastic #1 is usually clear in color and it is not intended for multiple uses.

What does 6 plastic mean?

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.

What is the difference between HDPE and plastic number 2?

HDPE products withstand heating and freezing so they can be used in various weather conditions. Plastic number 2 can be reused without any harm.

What does the recycle symbol mean?

The recycle symbol provides important data about the used resin and recyclability of the item. Keep in mind that plastic recycle code on the object does not surely mean that the item can be reprocessed. It just shows the information about the recycling possibility.

Is LDPE 4 plastic safe?

Plastic 4 or LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) is a thermoplastic and one of the oldest grades of polyethylene. LDPE 4 is believed to be rather safe for using, still, it is not environmentally friendly as only a small percent of LDPE 4 plastic is recycled. Some plants accept plastic number 4 but there are really few.

Can you reuse PP 5 plastic?

It is advised to reuse PP 5 plastic because even though some factories recycle 5 plastics, the total percentage of recycled plastic is not more than 3%. Hopefully, more attempts are made to recycle 5 PP more and make it as effective as with other recyclable plastics. Source: recyclenation.com.

Can plastic number 2 be reused?

Plastic number 2 can be reused without any harm. The durability and reliability of HDPE 2 make it efficient to use in the manufacture of various items like: Sturdy bottles for cosmetics and household cleaner. Stools, chairs, sunbeds for outdoor use. Toys and playground equipment.

What is the code for plastic?

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.

What are the rules for recycling plastic?

So what does all of that mean for you? A few things: 1 Types 1 and 2 plastics may be tossed into standard recycling bins. 2 Other plastic types may not be permitted in your bin, depending on your municipality’s guidelines. 3 Hard-to-recycle plastics – including Styrofoam, shrink wrap and manufacturing scrap – require specialized handling.

What is plastic wrapping made of?

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.

What is the most complicated material to recycle?

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 ...

Can #7 plastic 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.

Why is plastic number 7 called "other"?

Plastic number 7 is labeled as “Other” because it is a mix of hard plastics and leftover plastic. Some common examples of this are Culligan 5-gallon water jugs that are used in offices, baby bottles, CDs and DVDs (the cases as well as the item itself), computer parts, workout equipment, and is also found in fiberglass.

What is the second most common type of plastic?

HDPE or high-density polyethylene is the second most common type of plastic. This makes up milk jugs, detergents, hair care products, and motor oil. HDPE is denser than PETE which makes it more durable, but it is still just as recyclable. Utah accepts jugs made from number 2 plastic!

Why is PS plastic so hard to recycle?

PS is hard to recycle because it is so lightweight that it takes a lot of material to be able to create anything out of it. While it is convenient, it also does not break down. Utah does not accept number 6 plastic in regular, curb-side recycling bins.

What is PP plastic?

PP or polypropylene is a hard plastic that is used for luggage, medicine bottles, water bottle caps, yogurt cups, and microwave-safe food containers (Flory 2017) (Centre n.d.). It is hard to recycle because of the process it takes to sort, break down, and turn into other products.

Why is plastic important?

Plastic is an important resource! But, due to the sheer amount that is produced, it isn’t being disposed of responsibly and it’s creating big problems for animals. That’s why we’ve posted a breakdown for each number so that you can feel more confident when recycling plastic.

What is PS in a box?

PS or polystyrene is most commonly known as Styrofoam. It is used as cups, take-out boxes, packing peanuts, foam food trays (used to hold meat at grocery stores), medical insulated boxes, and in life vests (Centre n.d.). Polystyrene is expanded with vapors to create a lightweight material that has great insulation.

Is it hard to recycle plastic in Utah?

It is hard to recycle because it requires chemical enhancement (mainly chlorine which makes up 50% of its weight) (Centre n.d.). Utah does not accept this type of plastic in curb-side recycling bins. Check with your county to see where it can be taken.

Why do recycling plants use the number 1-7?

Recyclable plastics are labeled with numbers 1-7 to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be processed. But it also helps recycling collectors determine what items they can accept — and which ones go in the trash.

What is HDPE in plastic?

This coding refers to high density polyethylene, or HDPE. This plastic forms milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, butter tubs, motor oil bottles, and some shopping bags. It’s a little tougher than PET, but nearly as common.

What is PVC used for?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is best known for its use in pipes, but that’s not the only product that relies on plastic no. 3. PVC also appears in cooking oil and shampoo bottles, medical tubing, wire jacketing, and window cleaner spray bottles.

What is the plastic resin code?

The plastic resin code or plastic by numbers is a good place to start learning the types of plastic. There are 7 groups of plastics in the coding system. Plastic number 7 is used when a plastic does not fit into any of the numbers 1 through 6. It is basically a catch-all category for all types of plastics other than numbers 1 through 6.

What are some examples of plastics?

Some examples are polycarbonates, polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic, melamine and nylon. As there are so many types of plastics and each of these has many applications the list of examples is very long.

Can PLA be recycled?

PLA cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling. It is not recyclable because it is classed as biodegradable instead. Biodegradable means it will break down and return to its original elements when disposed of in a compost. In order for this to work it must be disposed of in an industrial compost operation.

Is PLA biodegradable?

PLA is unique from many other plastics as it is biodegradable. Its other characteristics are similar to polypropylene or polyethylene. These characteristics make it very useful as an alternative in food packaging, bottles and medical devices.

Can you recycle number 7 plastic?

In general number 7 plastics cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling bin. However, given how many plastics are in this group the real answer is a bit more complex. Below we look closer at a few common types of number 7 plastics.

Can you recycle plastics in the 7 group?

Most of the plastics in the number 7 group cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling bin. You might, however, be able to find a specialist recycler who will recycle it for you. We hope in the future all these plastics will become more easily identified and more readily recycled.

What does the number 1-7 mean in a triangle?

The number (1-7) in the triangle holds the clue to the type of plastic you’re dealing with. Each number identifies the composition and recyclable characteristics of the respective plastic packaging material. Not all plastic is recyclable. With the help of resin codes, you can easily segregate recyclable materials.

How much plastic is recycled in the USA?

Being responsible consumers, we consciously throw away plastic in the recycling bins after usage, yet somehow only 8.4% of plastic is actually being recycled in the USA. The remaining proportion is landfilled, incinerated, or ends up floating in the ocean.

What is HDPE plastic?

We bet you must have an HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) product at your home right now. Because of its stiffness and good chemical resistance, HDPE plastic is widely used in packaging household products with a shorter shelf life (like milk jugs). It does not leach into food and is weather-resistant too.

How to deal with plastic waste?

Replace single-use plastic with reusable bags; use glass or steel containers for microwaving; carry reusable containers for food. Recycling should be the last resort when it comes to dealing with plastic.

What is a microwavable plastic container made of?

The majority of microwavable plastic containers are made from Polypropylene (PP). Although that does not mean every PP container is microwavable. There are other factors to be considered like wall thickness and strength of the container in question.

Why is plastic contaminated?

The reason behind the drastic difference is contamination. Plastic is easily contaminated when placed in the wrong bin or when non-recyclable materials (like plastic straws, bags, and takeout containers) are mixed in the right bin. Consequently, the entire recyclable batch loses value and gets discarded. On the upside, the power to improve the rate ...

What is PVC used for?

The term “PVC” might ring a bell with you (Hint: PVC pipes). Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC is often used for rigid applications like pipes, window frames, and siding. It is grease, oil, and chemical resistant. Note that PVC is potentially harmful and should never be used for cooking or food storage.