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PLASTICS RESIN CODES
Wonder what those symbols on or
near the bottom of a plastic container mean? They
are plastic resin codes and identify the resin.
These codes do not necessarily mean that a container
is recyclable since there may not be a recycling
market for a particular code. The following list
will help you learn about the codes so you know
which items to include in your local curbside or
drop-off recycling program.
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RESIN CODES
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DEFINITION |
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1 = PETE (or PET)
polyethylene terephthalate
Commonly used to package soft drinks,
water, beer, juice, sports drinks and other
beverages, as well as edible oils, salad
dressing, peanut butter, various condiments
and sauces, and non-food products like
household cleaners and personal products. |
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2 = HDPE
high density polyethylene
Commonly used for milk, cider and water
jugs, as well as detergent, fabric softener
and bleach. |
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3 = V
vinyl/polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Often used for salad dressing bottles,
vegetable oil bottles and mouthwash. |
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4 = LDPE
low density polyethylene
Used for flexible bags for dry cleaning,
trash, produce, bread and shrink wrap.
recycled LDPE is often used to make grocery
bags. |
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5 = PP
polypropylene
Usually found in drinking straws,
battery cases, some dairy tubs, bottle
labels and caps. |
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6 = PS
polystyrene
Commonly used for materials like
packaging peanuts, plastic utensils, meat
and egg trays. |
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7 = OTHER
other
Other plastics are often made of
multiple resins or layers of different types
of plastics. These may include microwavable
packages, snack bags and industrial
plastics. |
Some information
above from Waste Age issue Friday, August 15, 2003
Table courtesy of
http://www.napcor.com
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