The Meaning of Plastic Recycling Symbols

Have you ever wondered what these stamped symbols on plastic containers or plastic bags mean? Oftentimes, we find ourselves asking about the meaning of these recycling symbols and their link to environmental and health issues.

Plastic recycling symbols denote the types of resin used to synthesize the plastic. These representations are established in accord with the international Plastic Coding System, and are customarily portrayed as a number (from 1 to 7) enclosed by a triangle or a plain triangular loop (also known as the Mobius loop), with an acronym of the exact material used, right at the base of the triangle.

Here are concise explanations of all of the 7 recycling icons frequently used, at present:

1 - PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene)

Light weight, low-cost, and easy to fabricate, PET is the most prevalent plastic material in use today. PET is primarily used in softdrink bottles, edible oil bottles, and peanut butter containers. It can be remanufactured into paneling, tote bags, plastic furniture, etc. The need for this plastic among recyclers is relatively strong, but at present, the recycling rate for this material has remained low at 20%.

2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

HDPE is tougher and less vulnerable to chemical deterioration, this plastic poses a fairly low chance of leaching chemicals when used as container for food and beverage. It is mainly used as containers for common household chemicals (shampoos, cleaners, etc.), grocery bags, cologne bottles, etc. This can be reconstituted into pens, picnic tables, bleach bottles, benches, etc.

3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Polyvinyl Chloride has been recognized as a health hazard - it has been observed to frequently leak chemicals when used as containers. PVC is usually used for piping, clear food containers, edible oil bottles, etc. It has chlorine and will emit toxins if ignited. PVC should be avoided in food preparation or food packaging. It can be remade into decking, panels, binders, etc.

4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene )

LDPE is made into squeezable bottles, clothing, film packaging, etc. Resilient but also stretchable, it is perfect for packaging, insulation, and sealing. LDPE, through many curbside recycling programs, can be reused into trash can liners, plastic lumber, and landscaping tiles.

5 - PP (Polypropylene)

PP is most suited for boiling fluid receptacles and is also used in yogurt containers, straws, ketchup bottles, etc. PP can be reconstituted into landscape borders, brooms, car battery cases, etc.

6 - PS (Polystyrene)

Polystyrene is the top material for insulation and is used in foam products like expanded polystyrene (EPS), generically known as styrofoam. It is present in disposable food containers, egg cartons, CD cases. PS incorporates benzene, a human carcinogen and should not be incinerated. It is remade into insulation, light switch plates, floaters, etc.

7 - OTHER (Polycarbonate)

Recycling symbol 7 - OTHER lumps materials not belonging to any of the other 6 resin categories. OTHER may also signify a hybrid resin made up of a mix of those materials. It is widely found in infant feeding containers, eyeglasses, nylon, iPod cases, etc. It can be remanufactured into plastic lumber and other tailored products.

Not all number 7 plastics are polycarbonate, some are even plant-based. Polycarbonate has become the center of dispute in recent years, as it is monitored to discharge BPA (bisphenol A), a hormonal disruptor that may adversely impact gestation and fetal growth.

Plastic recycling symbols are created primarily to support the staff in recycling establishments in properly sorting out materials for processing. A basic understanding of these signs can also aid us in establishing if the plastic product were using in our houses are risk-free for us and our families.

Michael Arms submits essays to the Pacebutler Recycling and Environmental blog. Pacebutler Corporation of Edmond, Oklahoma is a US trading company that pays cash for cell phones, in an online transaction. If you just want to dispose of your old cell phones in an environmentally-friendly manner, you may also recycle cell phones through Pacebutler.