What are resin identification codes?
Resin Identification Codes are the number that you see on the bottom of some rigid plastic packaging.
They were originally developed in the 1980s to categorise plastic into types, to ensure consistency in plastics manufacturing and recycled plastics reprocessing. As plastic bottle wholesalers, we have watched with interest how Resin Identification Codes have become used more widely by consumers in order to recycle plastics.
Preserve Recycled Materials
Different kinds of plastics, such as PET plastic bottles, must be recycled separately, with similar materials, to preserve the value of the recycled material, and enable its reuse in other products after being recycled.
The Resin Identification Codes 1 to 6 mean that the plastic packaging is made from one of six specific types of plastic: 1 means polyethylene terephthalate (such as PET plastic bottles), 2 means high-density polyethylene (HDPE), 3 means polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 4 means low-density polyethylene (LDPE), 5 means polypropylene (PP), and 6 means polystyrene (PS).
The number 7 means the packaging is made of a type of plastic other than the previous six, or is a mixture of plastics. This category includes things like bioplastics, composite plastics (like crisp wrappers), plastic coated wrapping paper and polycarbonate (which contains BPA).
Which resin identification codes are recyclable?
Polymer Type
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) & (rPET)
Applications
PET plastic bottles, clear plastic bottles, salad trays.
PET Plastic (01)
The most widely recycled plastic is PET, which has the code 1. This material is used in our PET plastic bottles and is often used for clear plastic bottles. It has a gloss finish and offers good chemical resistance.
PET can be recycled into polyester fabric and filling for fleeces, carpets and cushion fillings. It can also be re-used as rPET plastic, where it goes through the whole lifecycle again to become rPET plastic bottles.
Polymer Type
High-Density Polyethylene (HOPE) & (rHDPE)
Applications
Milk bottles, bleach, jerry cans, cleaners, general industrial use and shampoo bottles.
PET Plastic (02)
High Density Polyethylene is another form of widely recycled plastic. It has a matt finish and is compatible to most acid and alkaline solutions. HDPE has limited compatibility to solvents.
HDPE is often found in things like milk bottles, plastic bottle caps and closures, shampoo bottles, cleaning product bottles, tubs, andjerry cans for sale.
Polymer Type
Polyvinyl Chloride
(PVC)
Applications
Pipes, window and door frames, thermal insulation, automotive parts.
PET Plastic (03)
Polyvinyl Chloride is not recyclable in normal Local Authority collections. This type of plastic is usually found in cling film, hoses, and plastic pipes.
Polymer Type
Low-Density Polyethylene
(LOPE)
Applications
Bin liners, carrier bags and packaging films.
PET Plastic (04)
Low-Density Polyethylene is recyclable, but you’ll need to check with your Local Authority. Here is a free tool to do that.
LDPE is often found in things like hand cream tubs, carrier bags, bin liners and packaging films.
Polymer Type
Polypropylene
(PP)
Applications
Packing tape, plastic straws, microwavable meal trays and tubs and pails.
PP (05)
Polypropylene can be recycled. It has a satin finish and an excellent range of chemical compatibility.
It is usually found in packing tape, plastic straws, ketchup bottles, microwavable meal trays and butter tubs.
Polypropylene can be recycled into brooms, brushes, garden rakes and plastic trays.
Polymer Type
Polystyrene
(PS)
Applications
Yoghurt pots, foam fast food boxes, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronics and toys.
PS (06)
Polystyrene is not recyclable in normal Local Authority collections. There are two types of polystyrene (brittle plastic) and expanded polystyrene (light, insulating, waterproof plastic). The harder type is used in things like plastic forks and yoghurt pots and the softer variety is used in foamy takeaway packaging, Styrofoam and some types of insulation.
Polymer Type
Un-allocated
References
Applications
other plastics that do not fall into the above.
Other Plastics (07)
Plastics with the resin identification code 7, meaning ‘other plastics’, are not recyclable in normal collections.
How can resin identification codes help?
By paying attention to the Resin Identification Codes and checking what plastics can be recycled locally, we can ensure we are recycling the maximum amount of plastic. However, there is still a long way to go towards building up sufficient infrastructure to allow consumers to recycle more types of plastic.
