Plastic Recycling Symbols Revisited by Michael Arms

Have you ever wondered what these embossed icons on plastic containers or plastic bags mean? Time after time, we find ourselves curious about the meaning of these recycling symbols and their connection to environmental and health issues.

Plastic recycling symbols show the types of resin used to create the plastic. These representations are established following the international Plastic Coding System, and are customarily illustrated as a number (from 1 through 7) enclosed by a triangle or a simplified triangular loop (also known as the Mobius loop), with an acronym of the specific resin used, right under the triangle.

Here are summarized explanations of all of the 7 recycling symbols universally used, today:

1 - PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene)

Light weight, low-cost, and easy to make, PET is the most prevalent plastic material in use today. PET is mostly used in softdrink bottles, food containers, and microwaveable food trays. It can be remade into paneling, fiber, carpet, etc. The necessity for this material among recyclers is quite strong, but until today, the recycling rate for this material has remained low at 20%.

2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

HDPE is sturdier and susceptible to chemical corrosion, this plastic poses a fairly meager risk of spreading chemicals when used as receptacle for food and drinks. It is chiefly used as containers for common household chemicals (shampoos, detergents, etc.), garbage bags, tubs for short shelf life food products like yogurt, etc. This can be remade into dog houses, chairs, plastic lumber, pipes, etc.

3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Polyvinyl Chloride has been known as a health hazard - it has been established to frequently leach chemicals when used as containers. PVC is commonly used for piping, jewelry cleaner bottles, siding, etc. It has chlorine and will emit toxins if ignited. PVC should be avoided in food preparation or food packaging. It can be reconstituted into mudflaps, speed humps, flooring, etc.

4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene )

Low Density Polyethylene is the material present in bread wrapping, sheets, film packaging, etc. Tough and elastic, it is ideal for packaging, insulation, and sealing. LDPE, through many curbside recycling programs, can be recycled into trash can liners, plastic lumber, and plastic lumber.

5 - PP (Polypropylene)

PP is most suited for boiling liquid containers and is likewise used in brooms, straws, ketchup bottles, etc. PP can be reprocessed into signal lights, brushes, trays, etc.

6 - PS (Polystyrene)

PS is an excellent component for insulation and is used in foam products like expanded polystyrene (EPS), generically known as styrofoam. It is manufactured into disposable food containers, egg cartons, disposable cups. PS contains benzene, a cancer-causing chemical and should not be incinerated. It is recycled into insulation, hobby rail road objects, water buoys, etc.

7 - OTHER (Polycarbonate)

Recycling symbol 7 - OTHER lumps materials not belonging to any of the other 6 resin classifications. OTHER may also signify a hybrid resin made up of a mix of those materials. It is commonly present in baby feeding containers, flak vests, camping jugs, computer cases, etc. It can be remade into plastic planks and other custom-made objects.

Not all number 7 plastics are polycarbonate, some are even plant-based. Polycarbonate has become the center of controversy in recent years, as it is discovered to discharge BPA (bisphenol A), a hormonal disruptor that may severely alter child-bearing and fetal growth.

Plastic recycling symbols are conceptualized chiefly to aid the personnel in recycling facilities in appropriately grouping materials for disposal. A basic apprehension of these icons can also help us in determining if the plastic item were handling in our houses are risk-free for us and our loved ones.

'Michael Arms contributes articles the Pacebutler Recycling and Environmental blog. Pacebutler Corporation based 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.'

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