About the Recycling Plastic Symbol

Recycling the plastic used in packaging is a very common practice. However, not all plastics are the same. Understanding the plastic recycling symbols or codes is vital, because certain molecules that make up the plastics cannot be combined. The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) created the recycling plastic symbol codes to differentiate the types of plastics used in packaging.

#1

#1 PET or PETE denotes polyethylene terephthalate resin. Plastic packages made with this type of plastic include water, soda and vinegar bottles along with prescription containers and film backing.

#2

#2 HDPE is high-density polyethylene resin. Common containers with this symbol include dish/clothes soap, bleaches, softeners, milk, hair care products, motor oil and some toys.

#3

#3 V denotes vinyl/polyvinyl chloride resin. Products that carry this symbol include various cooking oils, shrink-wrap, pipes, shower curtains, coffee containers and vinyl dashboards.

#4

#4 LDPE is low-density polyethylene resin. This type of plastic is known for flexibility and used in bread, grocery and sandwich bags, as well as flexible container lids.

#5

#5 PP denotes polypropylene resin. Items displaying this symbol include some food containers, syrup bottles, jar lids, Tupperware, diapers and outdoor carpet.

#6 & #7

#6 PS is polystyrene resin. This group includes disposable cups and cutlery, fast-food foam boxes, meat trays, packing peanuts and Styrofoam insulation.

#7 OTHER is a catchall category for other types of plastics, whether a mixture of any of the previous mentioned groups or other types of plastic. Some squeezable food containers use this recycling symbol.

References

• Ohio State University Fact Sheet: The Consumers Role in Plastic Recycling
• University of Southern Mississippi: What do those recycling numbers mean?
• Valcore Recycling: Plastic Recycling Numbers