What are the 7 resin codes?
Table of resin codesRecycling numberAbbreviationPolymer name5PPPolypropylene6PSPolystyrene7OTHER or OOther plastics, such as acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, and polylactic acid (a bioplastic also known as PLA), and multilayer combinations of different plastics4 more rows
What is the use of resin identification codes?
Resin Identification Codes are the number that you see on the bottom of some rigid plastic packaging. They were originally developed in the 1980s to categorise plastic into types, to ensure consistency in plastics manufacturing and recycled plastics reprocessing.
What is a resin number?
The number that you see on the bottom of some rigid plastic packaging is what's called a Resin Identification Code (RIC). Consumers often assume this code means a package is automatically recyclable, but that's not the case. Packages with the code may or may not be recyclable.20-Jul-2017
Are resin identification codes required?
While there are no federal regulations requiring the use of RICs, 39 states have enacted legislation on the use of these codes.
What is resin code 4?
Plastic Number 4 - LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) 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.11-Apr-2019
What does 7 mean on packaging?
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.
How many resin ID codes are there?
The codes are intended to facilitate the sorting of similar looking plastics at recycling centers across the country. While there is no federal legislation or requirements to use these symbols, many states now mandate them. The Resin Identification Codes are a seven number system.
What does 5 in a triangle mean?
polypropyleneA 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. This plastic is often chosen for bottles and containers that must accept hot liquids as it has a high melting point.20-Nov-2019
Which resin numbers 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.10-Feb-2019
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.02-Jul-2018
How can you tell if plastic is LDPE?
One of the simplest ways to carry out a flame test is by cutting a sample from the plastic and igniting it in a fume cupboard. The colour of flame, scent and characteristics of burning can give an indication of the type of plastic: Polyethylene (PE) - Drips, smells like candlewax.
What is LDPE made of?
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene. It was the first grade of polyethylene, produced in 1933 by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) using a high pressure process via free radical polymerization. Its manufacture employs the same method today.
What does 7 mean in packaging?
The number 7 is a catch-all category that means the packaging is made of a type of plastic other than the six previously specified, or, is a mixture of plastics in a multilayer combination.
What is the SPI organization?
They’re currently under control by an organization called ASTM International.
What is the plastic code on plastic packaging?
The number that you see on the bottom of some rigid plastic packaging is what’s called a Resin Identification Code (RIC). Consumers often assume this code means a package is automatically recyclable, but that’s not the case. Packages with the code may or may not be recyclable. A little confusing, yes?
What is a RIC in recycling?
When many plastics recycling programs were first being implemented in communities across the United States, only plastics with RICs "1" and "2" (polyethylene terephthalate and high-density polyethylene, respective ly) were accepted to be recycled. The list of acceptable plastic items has grown since then, and in some areas municipal recycling programs can collect and successfully recycle most plastic products regardless of their RIC. This has led some communities to instruct residents to refer to the form of packaging (i.e. "bottles", "tubs", "lids", etc.) when determining what to include in a curbside recycling bin, rather than instructing them to rely on the RIC. To further alleviate consumer confusion, the American Chemistry Council launched the "Recycling Terms & Tools" program to promote standardized language that can be used to educate consumers about how to recycle plastic products.
What is the RIC code?
The US Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system in 1988, when the organization was called Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI). The SPI stated that one purpose of the original SPI code was to "Provide a consistent national system to facilitate recycling of post-consumer plastics.".
What is RIC on plastic?
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 . It was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in the United States, ...
Why is the RIC system used?
In order to deal with the concerns of recyclers across the U.S., the RIC system was designed to make it easier for workers in materials recovery and recycling facilities to sort and separate items according to their resin type.
What is PLA made of?
Other plastics, such as acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, and polylactic acid (a bioplastic also known as PLA), and multilayer combinations of different plastics. Bottles, plastic lumber applications, headlight lenses, and safety shields/glasses .
What does the number 1 mean in plastic?
The number broadly refers to the type of plastic used in the product, by chronological order of when that plastic became recyclable: "1" signifies that the product is made out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (beverage bottles, cups, other packaging, etc.) "2" signifies high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (bottles, cups, milk jugs, etc.)
Can you recycle LDPE?
Plastic bags, six pack rings, various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, and various molded laboratory equipment. LDPE is not often recycled through curbside programs, but some communities will accept it. Plastic shopping and clothes dry cleaning bags can be returned to many stores for recycling. 5.
What is SPI coding?
The coding system offers a means of identifying the resin content of bottles and containers commonly and frequently consumed by the public.
Is the 3.1 code a guarantee?
3.1 The code is not intended to be a guarantee to consumers that a given item bearing the code will be readily accepted for recycling. Users of the code are encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines: