What Plastic Resin Codes Mean
I hear this question asked all the time, what do plastic resin codes mean that I see on the bottom of a plastic bottle? Every single plastic bottle you see in your day to day life will have a resin code stamped on the bottom which will tell you whether or not a product can be recycled or not. A growing number of plastic promotional products will also have a resin code stamped on them if the manufacturer is paying attention to consumer demand. Keep in mind plastic is not like aluminum or glass that can be repeatedly recycled back into the same product. Plastic is down-cycled rather than recycled. A plastic water bottle probably will not be reused for that same purpose again but may instead be used to make a recycled tote bag.
The degree to which a plastic can be recycled is determined by both the properties of the plastic itself and by the market for the recycled plastic. Some plastics just do not hold up to repeated reuse and have a limited value. Others can be recycled but there is not much of a market for them so they are less popular. Rather than leaving this determination up to somebody at a landfill or recycling center the industry developed the resin codes that you will see in the triangle stamped on your product.
Starting with the most prominent, the "1" PETE stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate or PET/PETE for short. It is one of the most widely used polymers in the world today and one that you will see in a majority of your plastic water bottles. The bottle of SmartWater I am drinking from Glaceau is a perfect example as is just about any other water bottle from Poland Spring, Aquafina and all the other brands. Although PET cannot be reused to make future water bottles it is used and sought after in the making of fleece apparel, luggage, carpet, tote bags and other fibers. In short if it has a "1" on the bottom make sure you recycle it as it will be reused.
The "2" is HDPE or High Density Polyethylene is the second most commonly used plastic in water bottles. It is significantly stiffer than PET and is therefore used in tougher containers such as laundry detergents, milk bottles such as Lactaid and other bottles requiring strength such as oil containers. HDPE is highly recycled and can be turned back into plastic lumber that you will use on your deck, pens, benches, doghouses, floor tile and even your mailbox post. A trip through any home store will show dozens of mailboxes most of which are made from recycled HDPE. If your plastic product has a 2 stamped on the bottom make sure you put it in the recycling bin as it will be reused.
Resin code 3 stands for PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride. The white pipes under your sink are made from PVC and it has the extraordinary property of resisting both fire and water. You will see it used to make raincoats, shower curtains, water pipes and other rugged products. It is very rarely used now in water bottles. You will see it used in coolers although due to the nature of the material you will not often see it used for potable water or food products. PVC is easily recycled into products such as garden hoses, gutters, decking and other lumber products. Although you will rarely see it outside of interior piping it should be recycled if you do find it. Most people do not realize the discarded and short/extra pieces of pipe from a home renovation are easily recycled. Cut them in small pieces with a hand saw and bring them to your local recycling center.
Resin Code 4 or LDPE is something you come in contact with almost every day but have no idea it actually exists. LDPE is transparent and flexible and is most often used in bread packaging, frozen food bags, your container of mustard or ketchup, dry cleaning bags and in some cases carpeting. LDPE is recycled frequently into landscaping ties that replace traditional oil soaked wood ties, plastic shipping envelopes, garbage bags and other similar items. Most people do not realize plastic bread bags can be recycled. Check with your local facility or better yet stuff the bread bags along with the frozen food bags inside "4" items like mustard bottles.
Type 5 or PP is most often being used now in dishwasher safe products. It has an extreme resistance to heat and also resists chemicals. Because of the resistance to heat it is also often seen in the medical field where heat is needed to sterilize equipment. PolyPropylene has become incredibly popular in the promotional products industry and is often referred to simply as PolyPro. You will see it used in totes and padfolios most often. Around your home you will see it used for indoor outdoor carpeting since it cannot absorb water. Your local miniature golf course will likely have a green putting rug made of this material. PolyPropylene is often the end product of PET products being recycled and likewise can be recycled into less rugged items such as brushes, ice scrapers, tooth brushes and even flashlights. Every recycling center will take "5" products.
"6" or PS for Polystyrene is used in television casings, computer monitors, toys, the interior plastic molded parts of your car and of course regular foam insulation and packaging commonly referred to as styrofoam (not to be confused with the branded product from Dow Chemical). The foam packaging you see in anything you receive in the mail will be made of Polystyrene and is recyclable. Plastic utensils, yogurt containers and most of your medicine bottles are made from PS and all should be recycled. Plastic peanuts are made from polystyrene and are usually directly recycled. Don't throw the out bring them to your local recycling center or visit the Polystyrene Packaging Council for more information.
Resin Code 7 is reserved for all other plastic products and is not often seen especially in our daily lives.
The plastic water bottle you drank from and recycled a year ago may now be the keyboard you are typing on or the tote bag you use to carry your laptop in each day. The oil container you recycled a few years ago may be your hairbrush and the plastic milk jug you recycled may now be part of your landscaping. Essentially all plastics can be recycled and despite the economic downturn hurting the market for recycled products the innovations continue. The more we recycle, and the more we purchase recycled products the better they will become. A few years ago the promotional products made from recycled materials were plainly hideous. Now many are as attractive as the first generation products. Over time the prices should continue to drop as demand increases and technological improvements are made to the recycling process. The results of years of recycling are now being witnessed as products come to the market. In fact the items discussed in Retail Brands Crossing Over to Corporate Channels and Green Promos in Time for Earth Day are made from previously recycled plastics. Other items discussed in Safety Goes Mainstream in Ad Specialties are 100% recyclable. All of the items discussed in previous entries have resin codes attached.