What are the 7 plastic resin codes?
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 is resin identification code 1?
1: polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) (beverage bottles, cups, other packaging, etc.) 2: high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (bottles, cups, milk jugs, etc.)
Who made the resin identification code?
the Society of the Plastics IndustryThe Resin Identification Code was developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry at the urging of recyclers during the 1980s. A growing number of communities around the United States were implementing recycling programs in an effort to stem rising waste generation.
Is resin code 5 recyclable?
Number 5 plastics were widely accepted in both curbside and drop-off recycling centers before China's National Sword policy was introduced in 2018.
What are plastic 1 and 2?
The terms “plastic #1” and “plastic #2” refer to a plastic container's resin identification code. Put simply, this code refers to what type of polymer comprises a container (and not all plastics are created equal).
Which resin codes are unsafe?
05/9To AVOID: Code 3 This code contains polyvinyl chloride (V or Vinyl or PVC). Harms: It is the most toxic and the most harmful form of plastic. It contains bisphenol A (BPA), lead, phthalates, mercury, dioxins and cadmium.
What is the use of resin code?
The resin codes are made to identify the plastics. In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) helped standardise the plastic materials for easy identification. Resin codes are used to identify plastics materials they are made of and ways to dispose of them.
What does 7 in a triangle mean?
Miscellaneous Plastics 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 circle with numbers on plastic?
Most commonly these "clock" symbols only indicate the mold used to form the part -- quality dept at the factory can then quickly track down which mold may need maintenance if faulty product is noticed.
Which resin numbers are recyclable?
Generally, most recyclers accept plastics #1 and #2. Plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle and some recycling centers do not process them. Plastic #7 is even more difficult to recycle and almost always excluded.
Which resin codes are easiest to recycle?
Recycling plastics – what the numbers mean + cheat sheet1 – PETE – Polyethylene Terephthalate. The easiest of plastics to recycle. ... 2 – HDPE – High density Polyethylene. ... 3 – PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride. ... 4 – LDPE Low-density Polyethylene. ... 5 – PP – Polypropylene. ... 6 – PS – Polystyrene. ... 7 – Other.
Which resin identification codes are recyclable?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Plastics Recycling By the Numbers2: HDPE (High density polyethylene) HDPE plastics are also extremely common. ... 3: PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) ... 4: LDPE (Low density polyethylene) ... 5: PP (Polypropylene) ... 6: PS (Polystyrene) ... 7: Other.
What is the number on the bottom of plastic?
The number that you see on the bottom of some rigid plastic packaging is what’s called a Resin Identification Code (RIC).
Is 7 plastic recyclable?
Packaging labeled as 7 is not recyclable in most of the United States, but some specific types of packaging currently labeled 7 may become recyclable at some point in the future.
How big is a container symbol?
The symbol is generally molded or embossed into the base of the container. The recommended size is equal to or greater than one-half inch, depending on the size of the container (measurements are for the symbol alone, not including letters).
What size plastic bottles are required to have a RIC?
Thirty-nine states in the United States require use of the RIC on plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers between 8 ounces and 5 gallons in size. The resin identification code is strictly an identifier of the type of plastic and doesn’t address recycled content or recyclability of the container.
What does SPI mean in plastic?
What the label means. The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) developed a coding system to give manufacturers and recyclers a uniform way to identify the resin type of plastic containers so they can be properly recycled. There are seven resin identification codes represented by the numbers 1 through 7. The symbol consists of one of these numbers ...
Do you put recycling claims in the code?
DON’T place any recycling claims or the word “recyclable” near the code.
What are the properties of resin?
This resin has stable physical and electrical properties, good chemical resistance and strong weatherability. It has two main classes — rigid and flexible materials.
What is resin used for?
This resin is used to make translucent bottles and offers good barrier properties and stiffness. It's good for products that don't have a long shelf life (milk).
What is the RIC code?
In 1988, The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), now known as the Plastics Industry Association, created the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system. This system was developed to provide a consistent national program to help sorting line workers identify post-consumer packaging types using the six basic packaging resin classes.
Why are bottles marked with recycling codes?
Not long after the system was introduced, 39 states mandated that bottles and containers be marked with the recycling plastic codes to assist source segregation at households. The codes are as follows:
How many resin classes are there?
The public's' misinterpretation of the codes, particularly OTHER, has become a serious problem. The six basic resin classes (recycling numbers) sometimes aren't sufficient enough to meet the needs of recyclers, particularly with regard to new resins and multi-material construction.
What is the RIC system?
The RIC system was supposed to be used to identify the types of plastic resin used to make common products like bottles and other packaging during the processing stage before recycling. By Jeff Knapp.
Why are resin codes important?
These numbers are valuable consumer information, because they spell out the likelihood of your recycling ending up in a landfill. So brush up on your resin codes below, and adjust your recycling habits accordingly:
What is the recycling symbol on plastic?
Recyclable plastic usually comes with a little recycling symbol printed on the bottom and depending on the product, there might be a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 stamped in the center of the symbol. It’s easy to miss, but this tiny digit is actually pretty important, because it’s an ID.
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.
Why is PVC the least recyclable material?
PVC is the least recyclable material due to high chlorine content and harmful additives in it .
How long does it take for polystyrene to decompose?
Polystyrene takes at least 500 years to decompose. It’s a nasty plastic that is on the hit list of many environmentalists.
Why doesn't curbside recycling accept PS?
Most of the curbside recycling programs don’t accept PS mainly because it is 95% air. It is not cost-effective, and the energy used in recycling is more than the energy saved. Moreover, the material easily contaminates with food or drinks.
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.
Is the chasing arrows symbol recyclable?
However, the symbol does NOT imply that the item is recyclable.
Is PET plastic recyclable?
PET is completely recyclable. In fact, it is the most recycled plastic material in the USA. Additionally, almost every municipality accepts PET in curbside recycling programs. Keep in mind to rinse off the container before adding it to the bin.
What is a recycling code?
Recycling codes are used to identify the material from which an item is made, to facilitate easier recycling or other reprocessing. 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.
How many recycling codes are there in China?
A number of countries have a more granular system of recycling codes. For example, China's polymer identification system has seven different classifications of plastic, five different symbols for post-consumer paths, and 140 identification codes. The lack of a code system in some countries has encouraged those who fabricate their own plastic ...
Is resin code recyclable?
The following recycling label projects are designed with the consumer in mind while SPI or Resin Identification Codes are designed to be recognized by waste sorting facilities. They provide an alternative that eliminates confusion as people often mistake any resin code to be recyclable, but this is not necessarily true. The recyclability of the numbers depends on the abilities of the facilities in the community. Thus, they are not all automatically recyclable!