List of resin identification codes (RIC) and codes defined by the European Commission
| Symbol | Code | Description | Examples |
| #1 PET (E) | Polyethylene terephthalate | Polyester fibers, soft drink bottles, fo ... | |
| #2 PEHD or HDPE | High-density polyethylene | Plastic milk containers, plastic bags, b ... | |
| #3 PVC | Polyvinyl chloride | Window frames, bottles for chemicals, fl ... |
What are plastic recycling codes and how do they work?
Plastic recycling is made easier by special codes put into the plastic item at the point of manufacture. Plastic recycling codes come from the The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) that introduced its resin identification coding system in 1988 after lobbying by recyclers. The recycling codes are explained below.
Is the plastic recycling number system effective?
The plastic recycling number system actually serves no purpose: the consumer cannot do much with it and the waste separators do not use it. The figure suggests that plastic is recycled per product group. This has not been the case (for a long time now) in practice.
Why is understanding the properties of plastic and resin codes important?
Understanding the properties of plastic and resin codes helps you make informed 1/7. PET/SPI Code 1:
What does the recycle symbol on plastic mean?
It is a resin identification code which is usually mistaken as a recycling symbol because of the stark similarity between the two. The number (1-7) in the triangle holds the clue to the type of plastic you’re dealing with.
What is the recycling symbol for plastic?
The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) introduced a code system in 1988 that helps with recycling plastic by numbers. Almost all plastic products bear the general recycling symbol: a triangle formed by three circling arrows. The number in the triangle indicates the type of plastic.
What do the numbers on plastic mean?
The number is a resin identification code that tells you what kind of plastic that material is made of. 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.
Which recycling code is most common?
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.12-Nov-2021
What do recycle codes mean?
Recycling codes are used to identify the different material from which an item is made, to facilitate easier recycling process.
What benefit can we get from recycling materials?
Incredible Benefits of RecyclingReduce the Size of Landfills. ... Conserve Natural Resources. ... More Employment Opportunities. ... Offers Cash Benefits. ... Saves Money. ... Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. ... Saves Energy. ... Stimulate the Use of Greener Technologies.More items...
Why are recycling codes important?
To ensure as many items as possible stay out of the landfill, it is important to pay attention to the small codes stamped onto plastic, glass, and paper products, as they let you know how to recycle the item properly.
Why is it important to sort plastic before recycling?
If there are impurities in the new resin, the hardened plastic will be of lower grade than the original. This plastic, in turn, may not be recyclable. Therefore, the sorting process is extremely important to maintaining the integrity of the finished, recycled plastic.
What are recycling codes and why are they in place?
Within each chasing arrows triangle, there is a number which ranges from one to seven. 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 that cannot break down and cannot be recycled.10-May-2021
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 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.
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.
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.
How much HDPE plastic is recycled?
However, since only about 30-35% of HDPE plastic utilized in America gets recycled annually , it’s knowing use as little as possible. to chop down, consider replacing your disposable produce bags with reusable alternatives. #3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
What is the BPA in number 7 plastic?
Number 7 plastics are wont to make baby bottles, sippy cups, device bottles and car parts. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on rock bottom with the letters “PC” by the recycling label #7.
What does a 3 in plastic mean?
a 3 indicates that the bottle has been made up of PVC , a five means it’s been made from polypropylene, two materials that aren’t accepted by most public recycling centers.
What is compostable plastic made of?
A new generation of compostable plastics, made up of bio-based polymers like corn starch, is being developed to exchange polycarbonates. These also are included in category #7, which may be confusing to the buyer . These compostable plastics have the initials “PLA” on rock bottom near the recycling symbol.
What is LDPE in clothing?
LDPE is usually found in shrink wraps, cleaner garment bags, squeezable bottles, and therefore the sort of plastic bags wont to package bread. The plastic grocery bags utilized in most stores today are made using LDPE plastic. Some clothing and furniture also uses this sort of plastic.
How to cut down on LDPE?
To cut down on the quantity of LDPE that you simply consume, try replacing your plastic grocery bags with fabric alternatives and taking a cloth bag to your local bakery subsequent time you purchase a loaf of bread. you’ll also replace plastic sandwich bags with platinum silicone alternatives, which are heat safe.
Why is PVC considered a poison?
PVC is dubbed the “poison plastic” because it contains numerous toxins which it can leach throughout its entire life cycle. most products using PVC require virgin material for his or her construction; but 1% of PVC material is recycled. Products made using PVC plastic aren’t recyclable.
What is leaching in food packaging?
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.
What is the plastic number 1?
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.
What is resin code?
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.
What is the number 4 in plastic?
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.
How many resin codes are there?
Resin codes are contained by three arrows in a triangle formation. There are seven res in codes, 1-7, to identify plastic products. Each number represents a different type of plastic and how/where it can be disposed.
What temperature can PET be made?
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.
Can you recycle PVC?
Number 3, 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.
What is LDPE recycling?
Description - LDPE is a soft, flexible plastic. Recycling Method - LDPE is not often recycled through curbside programs. Many stores have programs that allow for plastic shopping bags to be returned to the store for recycling.
What is HDPE plastic?
Description - HDPE is a readily recyclable, versatile plastic commonly used for packaging. It is usually white or coloured and poses a low risk of leaching. Recycling Method - Collected through most curbside recycling programs. Some programs only allow containers with necks.
What is polypropylene used for?
Description - Polypropylene is a hard, flexible plastic that has a high melting point and is suited for high temperature applications like holding hot liquids. Recycling Method - Collected through some curbside recycling programs.
What is PVC used for?
It can be clear, white or coloured. PVC is a tough polymer and weathers well so is commonly used for siding, pipes and other building materials.
When did plastic recycling come out?
Plastic recycling codes come from the The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) that introduced its resin identification coding system in 1988 after lobbying by recyclers. The recycling codes are explained below.
Is plastic a problem?
Various forms of plastic are ubiquitous in our modern lives. Unfortunately discarded plastic is also a major environmental problem with non-biodegradable plastics choking waterways, polluting streets and taking up precious space in landfills. Most plastics can be sucessfully recycled. Plastic recycling is made easier by special codes put into the plastic item at the point of manufacture.
What is PVC in plastic?
Compare polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC): the former is one of the most commonly used plastics in consumer bottles, while the latter is found in the sheathing material for computer cables, plastic pipes, and some consumer products.
What is the RIC code for plastic?
RIC Codes are used to identify seven different types of plastic resins, which are numbered 1-7.
Why is recycling important?
Recycling is the simplest way we can fulfill our obligation as environmental stewards. The act of putting refuse in the correct container, while incredibly basic, does make an impact, since it allows for the reuse of materials that would otherwise break down so slowly that they would seemingly last forever. In fact, plastic bottles, which are ...
How long does it take for plastic bottles to decompose?
In fact, plastic bottles, which are almost always recyclable, if sent to a landfill, would take almost 500 years to decompose. However, there are certain variables that complicate recycling, since not all plastics are universally recyclable.