What Does the Recycle Number Mean on a Plastic Container? The presence of the code -- a three-sided chasing arrow triangle with a number inside -- tells only what material its made from and doesnt mean a plastic container can be routinely recycled. Plastic Code 1 A container coded number 1 is polyethylene terephthalate, called PET or PETE. This high impact plastic is used for things like beverage bottles, food jars and frozen food trays. Recycled, PET becomes bottles and containers again, as well as fleece jackets, carpet fiber and comforter filling. Plastic Code 2 The number 2 on a plastic container means its made from high-density polyethylene, or HDPE. HDPE is used in bottles for milk, juice, liquid detergent, bleach and cosmetics. HDPE is recycled into bottles for non-food items, plastic lumber, garden edging, flowerpots, buckets and crates. Plastic Code 3 Number 3 plastic is polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC or vinyl. This plastic is manufactured to be either rigid or flexible, and is used in clamshells and blister packs, bags for bedding and medical items, and construction materials such as pipe, tubing and window frames. When PVC is recycled, it lives on in decking, fencing, carpet backing, traffic cones, paneling and gutters. Plastic Code 4 Plastics with number 4 are made from low-density polyethylene, or LDPE. This tough, flexible plastic is used in bags for bread, produce, dry cleaning and garbage, as well as container lids and squeeze bottles; LDPE is also used in shrink wrap because it reacts well to heat sealing. LDPE is recycled into shipping envelopes, garbage can liners, trash cans and outdoor lumber. Plastic Code 5 Number 5 plastics are made out of polypropylene, or PP. It is used in molded products --- the code is on flexible food containers for yogurt, margarine and syrup, and also harder plastics like medicine bottles, bottle caps and automobile parts. Recycled PP is made into durable items like garden rakes, trays, storage bins, brooms and brushes. Plastic Code 6 Polystyrene, or PS, is coded number 6. PS containers are rigid or foam; either type forms a moisture barrier that makes it good for products with a short shelf life. PS is used to make take-out containers, cutlery, meat trays and disposable plates and bowls; packing peanuts are a common form of the foam version of PS. It is recycled into products like insulation, license plate frames, switch plates and plastic moldings. Plastic Code 7 Code number 7 is on composite materials, layered resins and other difficult-to-recycle plastics. This includes baking bags, ketchup bottles and some large water jugs. Number 7 plastics can sometimes be recycled into bottles or plastic lumber. However, polycarbonate plastic, one variety coded number 7, is made with the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA. The National Toxicology Program reports that BPA may have adverse effects on the development of the brain and behavior of fetuses, infants and children, and advises consumers to limit BPA exposure by avoiding number 7 plastic containers.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:10:14 +0000
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