The Importance of Plastic Recycling Codes

The numbers found on plastic containers inside the recycling symbol are a coding system for plastic containers to assist recyclers in sorting plastic containers. The symbol is designed to be imprinted on the bottom of the plastic containers. The numerical code appears inside the recycling symbol, a three-sided triangular arrow. Here is a guide to what the numbers mean as well as examples of each number: 

Code	Material	Examples
1	Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)	Soft drink bottles
2	High-density polyethylene (HDPE)	Milk and water jugs
3	Vinyl	Shampoo bottles
4	Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)	Ketchup bottles
5	Polypropylene	Squeeze bottles
6	Polystyrene	Fast-food packaging
7	Other

Below is a in-depth look at the numbers and the end result of what they are recycled into
1 - Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, straps, (occasionally) new containers. PET plastic is the most common for single-use bottled beverages, because it is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle.

2 - Laundry detergent bottles, oil bottles, pens, recycling containers, floor tile, drainage pipe, lumber, benches, doghouses, picnic tables, fencing. HDPE is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially for packaging. It is recyclable into many goods.

3 - Decks, paneling, mudflaps, roadway gutters, flooring, cables, speed bumps, mats.
PVC is tough and weathers well, so it is commonly used for piping, siding and similar applications. PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don't let the plastic touch food. Also never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.

4 - Trash can liners and cans, compost bins, shipping envelopes, paneling, lumber, landscaping ties, floor tile. LDPE is a flexible plastic with many applications.

5 - Signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes, auto battery cases, ice scrapers, landscape borders, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, trays. Polypropylene has a high melting point, and is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid.

6 - Insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons, vents, rulers, foam packing, carry-out containers. Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products. It is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam.

7 - Plastic lumber, custom-made products. A wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7.

As a packaging distributor, it is easy for us to want to sell plastic products - these items are an important part of our revenue. The fact that this versatile material is not only in our packaging products but also in in our cars, toys, clothing and home goods makes it that much more important in understanding the significance of plastic recycling codes. 

We will continue to do our part in the education of recycling the products we supply. Please do your part in making sure plastic products are disposed of properly.