Plastics the facts 2018 an analysis of european plastics production, demand and waste data. Consumers can quickly identify which type of plastic a container is made from by checking for the recycling symbol. These number 7 plastics are still a relatively low volume and represents 6% of plastic resin manufactured into products in nz. Polyurethane pur urea formaldeyhde acrylic resins 17. Plastic identification codes the spi resin identification coding system is a set of symbols placed on plastics to identify the polymer type. Only the most common types of plastic are numbered there are many more plastics than numbers and new plastics are being made all the time. Reusing old plastic can save 80 to 90 per cent of the energy required to produce the same item from virgin materials2. The properties of the recycled plastic will be more predictable if the plastic materials being recycled are more uniform. Most plastic products are marked with a number that corresponds to the type of plastic that it is made of. But it also helps recycling collectors determine what items they can accept and which ones go in the trash. Hdpe plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags. Polyethylene terephthalate sometimes absorbs odours and. Materials fact sheet plastics identification code 17. Pipe, floor tiles, buckets, crates, flower pots, garden edging, film and sheet, and recycling bins.
This strategy lays the foundations to a new plastics economy, where the design and production of plastics and plastic products fully respect reuse, repair. Smart plastics guide plastic products are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol. The plastics industry association is the only organization that represents every segment of the plastics supply chain to make members more globally competitive. These numbers alone do not indicate whether a package is recyclable, but can be used in conjunction with instructions from your community to help you know the types of plastics. Background the ric assigns a numeral from 1 to 7, with a chasing arrows symbol around the number, to a piece of plastic to indicate its type.
The number, known as a recycling code, can be found within the triangular recycling symbol see above that recyclable plastics are marked with. What do the numbers on plastics really mean, are they recyclable. Number 7 plastics are used for a variety of products like baby bottles and sippy cups, baby food jars, 5gallon water bottles, sport water bottles, plastic dinnerware and clear plastic cutlery. A requirement in these applications is exceptional impact strength. The resin identification code or recycling number on plastic identifies the type of plastic.
Other includes combinations of resins, multi materials e. Polycarbonate pc is used in baby bottles, compact discs, and medical storage containers. The number is a resin identification code, used to help recycling plants sort materials. Using the plastics identification code there is a wide range of plastics and not all can be recycled the same way. Click on any of the headers below to expand the category. Plastic products are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol. It advises what type of plastic the item is made from but not if it is recyclable. Put simply, this code refers to what type of polymer comprises a container and not all plastics are created equal.
The astm international resin identification coding system, often abbreviated ric, is a set of symbols appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic resin out of which the product is made. Polycarbonate and polylactide are included in this category. Also, you may want to use our plastic material selection guide or interactive thermoplastics triangle to assist with the material selection process based on your application requirements. Plastics news covers the business of the global plastics industry. A guide to plastics and resin codes posted on 18th june 2018 plastic packaging, recycling. Plastic lumber for outdoor decking, fencing and picnic tables. We report news, gather data and deliver timely information that provides our readers with a competitive advantage. Guideline on plastic coding system for resin identification. You can start or join one of these precious plastic spaces in your town and start tackling the plastic problem. Recycling symbols on plastics what do recycling codes on. The composition of most of the materials used to make plastic products belong to one of six resin types identified under the resin identification code ric mol1 mol2. The number to found on the bottom of plastics is not a recycling symbol but rather a plastic or resin identification code. The plastics identification code identifies the type of plastic resin a product is made from. If you need more information about how to label or identify your.
Consumer guide to plastic resin recycling codes the numberandchasingarrows symbol on the bottom of most plastic containers is a resin code that identifies the type of plastic used in a product. The plastics identification code identifies the type of plastic resin a product is. Astm plastics committee releases major revisions to resin. Which plastic recycling codes can or cannot be recycled. What do the numbers on plastics really mean, are they. Bottles for nonfood items, such as shampoo, conditioner, liquid laundry detergent, household cleaners, motor oil and antifreeze. It was developed by the society of the plastics is used internationally, voluntarily plastics sa is encouraging the south african plastics industry to use the symbol on all plastic products. Hdpe is the most commonly recycled plastic and is considered one of the safest forms of plastic. Polyethylene terephthalate highdensity polyethylene lowdensity polyethylene polypropylene polystyrene other plastic resin identi. Resin codes descriptions product applications acrylonitrile butadiene styrene abs polymethyl methacrylate pma or acrylic styrene acrylonitrile san or as abs. The numberandchasingarrows symbol on the bottom of most plastic containers is a resin code that identifies the type of plastic used in a product. The astm international resin identification coding system, often abbreviated ric, is a set of symbols appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic resin. It was developed in 1988 by the society of the plastics industry in the united states, but since 2008 it has been administered by astm international, an international standards organization.
Standards for the purpose of this report include component specifications, methods of test and recommended practices for pipe, tubes, conduits, fittings and related products made of plastics. This guide provides a basic outline of the different plastic types associated with each code number. Tr5 standards for plastic piping plastics pipe institute. This plastics identification chart should make recycling and sorting your plastic a little easier. The code makes it easier for reprocessors to identify and separate. These numbers and labels identify both the type of resin used to make. Jones plugs and sockets, compatible with cinch series 300.
Plastic resins are also used in a variety of container and packaging products, such as pet beverage bottles, hdpe bottles for milk and water, and a wide variety of other resin types used in other plastic containers, bags, sacks, wraps and lids. They identify the type of plastic used to make the product. These numbers and labels identify both the type of resin used to make the plastic and the products recyclability. Code 7 is used to designate miscellaneous types of plastic not defined by the other six codes. Recyclable plastics are labeled with numbers 17 to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be processed. Plastic codes are the numbers you find on the base of your shampoo bottle and the like. Having a recycling code, the chasing arrows logo or a resin code on an item is not an automatic indicator that a material is recyclable but rather an explanation of what the item is.
The ric was developed by the society of the plastics industry spi in 1988. We have all the molding supplies you need, from sprays and screw tips to hose and safety products. Astm plastics committee releases major revisions to resin identification code ric standard translations astm international subcommittee d20. Consumers guide to resinrecycling codes the numberandchasingarrows symbol on the bottom of most plastic containers is a resin code that identifies the type of plastic used in a product. Most engineered plastics such as plastics in electronics are also number 7. Recycling codes on products recycling codes are used to identify the material from which an item is made, to facilitate easier recycling or other reprocessing. Material melt and mould temperature chart plastikcity.
Consumers often assume this code means a package is automatically recyclable, but thats not the case. Below is more information on and examples of the most common plastics used in food packaging, available at the society of plastics engineers spe and plastics industry. The plastics identification code is an international code. The eu is best placed to lead the transition to the plastics of the future. Definitions of plastic material types adapted from the plastics identification code and copied from plastics new zealand 2005, research project report. Smart plastics guide healthier food uses of plastics. Why you should avoid these 3 types of plastics youmemindbody. The number that you see on the bottom of some rigid plastic packaging is whats called a resin identification code ric. Definitions of plastic material types adapted from the.
For chemically resistant plastic, view our chemical resistance of plastics chart. It also shows some of the common plastic items in a home that are likely to leak chemicals into our food and bodies, so that you know which plastics are safe and which to avoid. Epoxy resins vinyl ester silicone melamine resin unsaturated polyester phenolic resins etc. Resin identification codes chart final association of plastic.
Understand what the recycling symbols mean and what plastics cant be recycled with our helpful recycling images chart. Plastic packaging resins plastics american chemistry council. Plastic packaging resins american chemistry council. Plastic material properties table curbell plastics. Theyre called resin identification codes, and they indicate the type of plastic that an item is made from. View our chart showing plastic material melt and mould temperatures.
In addition, its important to become familiar with an items spi society of the plastics industry code, which is also known as a resin identification number and is. Typical reactions for chain assembling are polyaddition continuous or step wise and condensation polymerization polycondensation 1 figure 1. Use our interactive properties table below to explore by property group, sort, or compare two or more plastic materials. This symbol does not mean the product has been recycled. Plastic recycling codes 17 a few things to keep in mind about these resin identification codes. They are becoming more commonly accepted as technology improves and as the market for these plastics grows.
The plastic identification code label your plastics. Ppe offers the worlds largest variety of accessories for the plastics industry. Plastic resin codes identify the type of plastic used in manufacture so that it can be sorted and recycled. Recycling codes how resins relate to the numerical symbols. The plastics identification code lists seven different types of plastic. The ric is a nationwide plastic resin coding system used to identify the resin content in plastic products. Resin identification codes sustainable packaging coalition. Developed by plastics industry to faciliate recycling it is a general catchall for all plastics other than those identified by numbers 17, the little number inside the triangle tells the real story.