Getting Plastic Recycling Symbols

Have you ever wondered what these engraved marks in plastic bottles or appliance parts mean? Frequently, we find ourselves confused about the purpose of these recycling symbols and their relevance to environmental and health issues.

Plastic recycling symbols stand for the categories of resin used to synthesize the material. These designs are set according to the international Plastic Coding System, and are customarily depicted as a number (from 1 to 7) fenced by a triangle or a plain triangular loop (also known as the Mobius loop), with an acronym of the specific material used, right under the triangle.

Here are barebones explanations of all of the 7 recycling symbols widely used, at present:

1 - PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene)

Light weight, cheap, and easy to fabricate, PET is the most common plastic material in use today. PET is primarily used in beverage bottles, cooking oil bottles, and ovenable food trays. It can be remade into paneling, tote bags, plastic furniture, etc. The requirement for this plastic among recyclers is quite high, but at the moment, the recycling rate for this material has remained low at 20%.

2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

High Density Polyethylene is stronger and sensitive to chemical deterioration, this plastic presents a fairly meager risk of leaching chemicals when used as container for food and drinks. It is chiefly used as containers for everyday household chemicals (shampoos, detergents, etc.), milk carton liners, tubs for short shelf life food products like butter, etc. This can be reused into floor tile, desks, bleach bottles, pipes, etc.

3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC has been known as a health risk - it has been observed to typically leach chemicals when used as containers. PVC is generally used for piping, clear food containers, windows, etc. It has chlorine and will release toxins if ignited. PVC should not be present in food preparation or food packaging. It can be recycled into decking, roadway gutters, mats, etc.

4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene )

Low Density Polyethylene is the material found in bread wrapping, apparels, dry cleaning bags, etc. Durable and elastic, it is perfect for packaging, insulation, and sealing. LDPE, through many curbside recycling programs, can be recycled into cans, plastic lumber, and plastic lumber.

5 - PP (Polypropylene)

Polypropylene is most suitable for boiling liquid receptacles and is likewise manufactured into bottle caps, brushes, ketchup bottles, etc. PP can be remade into landscape borders, brushes, trays, etc.

6 - PS (Polystyrene)

PS is the standard material for insulation and is used in foam products like expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as styrofoam. It is found in carry-out food containers, egg cartons, aspirin bottles. PS contains benzene, a cancer-causing substance and should not be incinerated. It is reprocessed into insulation, packaging, floaters, etc.

7 - OTHER (Polycarbonate)

Recycling symbol 7 - OTHER represents materials not belonging to any of the other 6 resin groupings. OTHER may also signify a hybrid resin made up of a mishmash of those materials. It is commonly present in infant feeding containers, bullet-proof vests, store signages, iPod cases, etc. It can be remade into plastic lumber and other customized crafts.

Not all number 7 plastics are polycarbonate, a few are even plant-based. Polycarbonate has become the focal point of debate in recent years, as it is found to leach BPA (bisphenol A), a hormonal disruptor that may severely influence gestation and fetal development.

In today's health-mindful society, a rudimentary knowledge of the substances that we handle can often signify the contrast between a vibrant family and a house endangered by dangerous chemicals and carcinogens. Though recycling symbols are chiefly conceptualized to assist staff in segregating materials in recycling facilities, understanding these logos is rapidly becoming crucial in protecting our own health and that of our loved ones.

Michael Arms contributes articles the Pacebutler Recycling and Environmental blog. Pacebutler Corporation based Edmond, Oklahoma is a US cell phone 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.