plastic recycling numbers

What do different plastic recycling numbers mean?

recycling numbers are a uniform way of classifying the different types of plastic and it aids recyclers in the sorting process. Note that sometimes other numbers are found on the bottom of plastic containers, but only numbers inside the recycling symbol are valid for recycling purposes. The recycling code consists of the numbers 1 through 7. Sometimes below the numbers you also find the abbreviations for the plastic type (PETE, HDPE, etc.). The most

How to decipher plastic recycling numbers?

• These bags can be recycled into new bags or plastic lumber products, but the cost of shipping it to recycling plants is high.
• Seabeds are littered with plastic bags near coastal regions.
• Birds and marine life often become entangled in soda rings and eat plastic bags.

Which plastics are recyclable numbers?

Top 5 Recyclable Products

• Paper – office, newspaper, & magazines
• Cardboard – paperboard & corrugated boxes
• Plastic – bottles, tubs, and jugs – bottles, containers, tubs, & jugs
• Glass – bottles & jars
• Metal – aluminum, tin, & steel cans & scrap

Which plastic numbers are recyclable?

Yes, a few different types of plastics can be recycled. The most widely recycled one is 1-PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used for water or soda bottles, according to Plastics for Change. PET is recycled at about 30%. When it’s used to package other things like containers for berries, it's rarely recycled.

Which plastic numbers are recyclable?

Which Plastics Are Recyclable By Number?#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: Polycarbonate, BPA, and Other Plastics.

Can all 7 types of plastic be recycled?

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.

Can number 5 plastic be reused?

If you find as #2, #4, or #5 plastic, those are fairly safe to reuse. These contain low levels of polyethylene thermoplastic, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

What numbers should you avoid on plastic?

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.

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 #6 plastics?

The #6 identifies the resin of the plastic which makes polystyrene, but the arrows around the number do not mean that it is recyclable. This type of plastic is either hard of soft (foam, also known as Styrofoam). Both should go in the landfill.

What does a triangle with a 5 in it mean?

PolypropylenePolypropylene (PP) Getty Images. 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.

Can #2 plastic be reused?

If you happen across a water bottle marked with a “2,” you can reuse it as long as it's washed well and not cracked or otherwise damaged. This type of plastic is a low risk for chemical leaching.

Can #1 plastic be reused?

Health advocates advise against reusing bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE), including most disposable water, soda, and juice bottles. Such bottles may be safe for one-time use but reuse should be avoided.

Is #3 plastic safe?

Number 3 Plastic: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is not a safe plastic for food and drinks. You should not cook near this plastic which is used for food wrap, plumbing pipes and bottles for cooking oil. There are softening chemicals used in the plastic that can interfere with your hormonal development if eaten or absorbed.

Are #7 plastics safe?

#7 plastics are not for reuse, unless they have the PLA compostable coding. When possible it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children's food. Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA.

Which plastics are BPA free?

Below are the BPA-free plastic codes to look for:Code 1 – Plastics made with PET or PETE or in layman's term, nylon. ... Code 2 – Plastics made of high-density polyethylene or HDPE. ... Code 4 – Plastics made with low-density polyethylene or (LDPE). ... Code 5 – Plastics made with Polypropylene or PP.

What do the numbers on plastic containers mean?

The numbers on the bottom of plastic containers identify the type of resin used to make that particular kind of plastic. There are seven numbers which tell people which plastics can and can’t be recycled, but there is more to it than just the number. The recycling numbers on plastic products can help you identify the health and What does ...

What percentage of PET bottles are recycled?

The little number inside the triangle tells the real story. PET plastic is recyclable and about 25% of PET bottles in the US today are recycled. Have you ever wondered what the numbers, or recycling symbols mean at the bottom of plastic bottles and containers? Did you know that, The ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System, often abbreviated as the RIC, Plastics must be recycled separately, with like materials, in order to preserve the material’s value and enable its reuse in other products after being recycled. The number broadly refers to the type of plastic used in the product:.

What is RIC in plastic?

Did you know that, The ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System , often abbreviated as the RIC, Plastics must be recycled separately, with like materials, in order to preserve the material’s value and enable its reuse in other products after being recycled.

What is the RIC number?

The number broadly refers to the type of plastic used in the product:. The ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System, often abbreviated as the RIC, Plastics must be recycled separately, with like materials, in order to preserve the material’s value and enable its reuse in other products after being recycled.

What is the recycling symbol on plastic?

Every plastic container or bottle has a recycling symbol. The symbol is a number, ranging from 1 to 7, within a triangle .

What is the number 7 plastic?

Plastic #7 – Other, Miscellaneous. All of the plastic resins that don’t fit into the other categories are placed in the number 7 category. It’s a mix bag of plastics that includes polycarbonate, which contains the toxic bisphenol-A (BPA).

What is plastic 3?

Plastic #3 – V or PVC (Vinyl) Plastic #3 is used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and detergent bottles, and is seldom accepted by curbside recycling programs. These plastics used to, and still may, contain phthalates, which are linked to numerous health issues ranging from developmental problems to miscarriages.

What is plastic #1 used for?

Picked up by most curbside recycling programs, plastic #1 is usually clear and used to make soda and water bottles. Some consider it safe, but this plastic is known to allow bacteria to accumulate. It’s found mostly in soda bottles, water bottles, beer bottles, salad dressing containers, mouthwash bottles, and peanut butter containers.

Is plastic #6 bad for the environment?

Plastic #6 – PS (Polystyrene) Polystyrene is Styrofoam, which is notorious for being difficult to recycle, and thus, bad for the environment. This kind of plastic also poses a health risk, leaching potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. Most recycling programs won’t accept it.

Can you still use plastic water bottles?

In the end, plastics will still be used, but you can certainly limit your use of the product. Instead of buying plastic water bottles or other plastic containers, choose glass or invest in a high quality water filtration system to obtain your water from. (This is best for your health anyway). Additional Sources:

Is number 1 plastic safe?

While Number 1 is considered safe, it is also best to avoid this plastic. Look for symbols 2, 4, and 5, as these plastics are considered to be safest. These are the plastics to look for in terms of human and animal consumption. In the end, plastics will still be used, but you can certainly limit your use of the product.

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 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.

What is HDPE 2 recycled?

Recycle logo plastic #2 means that it can be easily and efficiently recycled up to 10 times. Clear containers from HDPE 2 plastic are recycled back into the same new containers. Colored HDPE 2 is turned into many other items like pipes, lumber, toys, lawn, pens, floor tiles.

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.

Where is the recycling sign on a refrigerator?

Have a closer look and you will notice a recycling symbol at the bottom, top or side of each plastic object. This recycle sign looks like a triangle of chasing pointers with a number from 1 to 7 inside it.

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.

Something is recyclable only if there is a buyer for it

Many people don’t understand that recycling is a for-profit business. Yes, your community pays to have trash and recycling hauled away, but then the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF, or the place where they sort out those recyclables) is a business and needs to be able to sell those materials to a manufacturer who wants them.

Size and shape matters

Most recycling programs will take #1 and #2 plastic, but not ALL #1 and #2 plastic. Why? Because of the way recyclables are sorted at the MRF. Flat plastics, pill bottles and other small plastics will usually fall through the cracks of the screening process and cause headaches for the workers and extra expense spent cleaning that stuff out.

StyroRecycle, LLC

Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam™) peanuts and packaging, plastic wrap and film. Full list of items.

Shipping Stores

Call to find out if locations accept packing materials like bubble wrap and packing peanuts for reuse.

Transfer Stations in Pierce County

Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, jars, buckets and plant pots at recycling centers.

Trex Recycling Programs

Plastic grocery bags, newspaper and dry cleaning bags, cereal box liners and more.