Melissa hockstad explains the resin id coding system. The properties of the recycled plastic will be more predictable if the plastic materials being recycled are more uniform. Recycling codes are used to identify the material from which an item is made, to facilitate easier recycling or other reprocessing. It was developed originally by the society of the plastics industry now the plastics industry association in 1988, but has been administered by astm international since. The plastics identification code identifies the type of plastic resin a product is made from.
Bottles for nonfood items, such as shampoo, conditioner, liquid laundry detergent, household cleaners, motor oil and antifreeze. The following chart describes the general characteristics of these different plastic resins and the everyday products that typically carry these codes. Plastic resin codesthe us government has issued codes for use in recycling. What do the numbers on plastics really mean, are they recyclable. Consumers can quickly identify which type of plastic a container is made from by checking for the recycling symbol. The code makes it easier for reprocessors to identify and separate. These resins are correctly referred to in both ways. 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. Resin identification codes plastic recycling codes. 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. Plastic identification codes the spi resin identification coding system is a set of symbols placed on plastics to identify the polymer type. The numerical codes found on plastic products are actually related to the composition of the plastic resin used to manufacture the product. This resin is commonly used in beverage bottles and many injectionmolded consumer product containers. Recycled plastic is often used to make durable goods that need to.
The ric was developed by the society of the plastics industry spi in 1988. Plastic codes are the numbers you find on the base of your shampoo bottle and the like. This guide explains the applications and characteristics of the. Did you know there are many more codes including those for metal and glass. The plastic identification code label your plastics plastics new. This guide explains the applications and characteristics of the most common types of plastics. Plastic packaging resins plastics american chemistry council.
These numbers and labels identify both the type of resin used to make the plastic and the products recyclability. Understand what the recycling symbols mean and what plastics cant be recycled with our helpful recycling images chart. Polymer resin identification codes plastics and recycling. The plastics identification code identifies the type of plastic resin a product is. Plastic resin codes identify the type of plastic used in manufacture so that it can be sorted and recycled. Recycled content polyethylene terephthalate pet, pete. Resin codes originated from the society of the plastics industry back in 1988. It was developed by the society of the plastics is used internationally, voluntarily plasticssa is encouraging the south african plastics industry to use the symbol on all plastic products. 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. It advises what type of plastic the item is made from but not if it is recyclable. Who is liable when recycled plastic underperforms when containing degradable additives.
The astm international resin identification coding system, often abbreviated ric, is a. The accurate use of therse codes by manufacturers can have a profound impact on the amount of platic materials that end up in landfill as well as the amount that is recycled into more plastic products. Aug 11, 2008 melissa hockstad explains the resin id coding system. 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.
Click here to view and print a brochure on the astm d7611 resin identification codes. Spi, but it has since been administered by astm international. The spi code was developed to meet recyclers needs while providing manufacturers a consistent, uniform system that could apply nationwide. Recycling symbols on plastics what do recycling codes on. The use of a resin identification code on a manufactured plastic article does not imply that the article is recycled or that there are systems in place to effectively process the article for reclamation or reuse.
The simple, effective 1 to 7 numbering system identifies the resin composition of plastic containers and other items intended for recycling. The plastics identification code lists seven different types of plastic that can be recycled. The plastics identification code continues to be one of the most successful and enduring product stewardship programs run by industry. To facilitate the recycling of polymeric and plastic materials the society of the plastics industry have developed a resin identification code. Polystyrene is commonly recycled, but is difficult to do. Standard practice for coding plastic manufactured articles.
The astm international resin identification coding system, often abbreviated as the ric, is a set of symbols appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic resin out of which the product is made. The plastic identification code label your plastics. Theyre called resin identification codes, and they indicate the type of plastic that an item is made from. 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. Oct 01, 2014 these plastics are recycled into new plastic containers, tote bags, fleece clothing, carpet, furniture, paneling, pipes, lumber, benches, fencing, dog houses, and picnic tables.
Other includes combinations of resins, multi materials e. Resin identification codes rics, as specified by astm. Spi introduced its plastic resin identification coding system in 1988. Plastic lumber for outdoor decking, fencing and picnic tables. The identification is based on the type of resin used. Jul 20, 2017 the numbers 1 through 6 currently represent that the package is made of one of six specific types of plastic. Reprocessors to identify and separate used plastics for a range of new. The first seven are designated for plastics recycling in order of recyclability. Which plastic recycling codes can or cannot be recycled. What do the numbers on plastics really mean, are they. Total new zealand plastic recycling 2004 tonnage recovered t 14,000 12,444 12,000 10,000 8,932 8,016 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,412 2,000 1,415 417 218 1,588 pet hdpe pvc ldpe pp ps eps other material type see over for codes the plastic identification code label your plastics. Consumers typically think of this as a recycling code. 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. Recycled plastic is often used to make durable goods that need to last a long time carpet and can be exposed to weather and microbial environments strapping and pipe.
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. Mar 04, 2020 resin identification codes are used solely to identify the plastic resin used in a manufactured article. Associated with the different types of resin are potential health risks. There is no sustainability with respect to plastic packaging without recycling. A growing number of communities were implementing recycling programs in an effort to decrease the volume of waste subject to tipping fees. Using the plastics identification code there is a wide range of plastics and not all can be recycled the same way. Back in 1988, this coding system was first developed by the society of the plastics industry, inc. Food and health program smart plastics guide healthier food. Jul 28, 2008 to facilitate the recycling of polymeric and plastic materials the society of the plastics industry have developed a resin identification code. Resin identification code wikipedia republished wiki 2. These plastics are recycled into new plastic containers, tote bags, fleece clothing, carpet, furniture, paneling, pipes, lumber, benches, fencing, dog houses, and picnic tables.
Guideline on plastic coding system for resin identification. Recyclable plastics are labeled with numbers 17 to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be processed. The following table summarizes seven different types of commonly used. Plastic recycling codes 17 a few things to keep in mind about these resin identification codes. The resin identification code is, though, an aid to recycling. The number to found on the bottom of plastics is not a recycling symbol but rather a plastic or resin identification code. 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. Recycling codes 3 references 1 plastic packaging resins.
This resin is commonly used in beverage bottles and. Manufacturers place an spi code, or number, on each plastic product, usually moulded into the bottom. The d7611 adjunct contains graphic representations of the resin identification codes ric as a molded, imprinted or raised symbol or wording and is available for download in pdf format. The availability of recycling for plastic materials will depend on the recycling facilities in your area and to find out more, check with your local utility. From this, resin codes have been placed on almost every piece of plastic which will continue for the foreseeable future. If you have ever looked on the bottom of your plastic water bottle you have probably noticed the triangular symbol that looks like a recycling code. Plastics are widely used to store and package food and beverages. It was developed in 1988 by the society of the plastics industry now the. Astm plastics committee releases major revisions to resin. The plastics identification code identifies the type of plastic resin a product is made. Astm will vote on adding three new codes with identical design including chasing arrows to existing codes. It was developed in 1988 by the society of the plastics industry now the plastics industry association in the united states, but since 2008 it has.
However, the actual codes on the containers are pete and v. Pet is clear, tough, and has good gas and moisture barrier properties. Plastic packaging resins american chemistry council. Smart plastics guide plastic products are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol. Pipe, floor tiles, buckets, crates, flower pots, garden edging, film and sheet, and recycling bins. Freudenrich, craig, how plastics work, 14 december 2007. V vinyl or pvc polyvinyl chloride is tough and weathers well, so it is commonly used for piping, siding, and similar. The plastics industry has conformed to regulations by applying the required codes to consumer products, but it is up to individuals to read and understand the codes.
Put simply, this code refers to what type of polymer comprises a container and not all plastics are created equal. Plastic products are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol. But it also helps recycling collectors determine what items they can accept and which ones go in the trash. Students bring to class plastic containers with resin identification codes embossed on them 16. Resin identification codes 1 pete polyethylene teraphthalate 2 hdpe high density polyethylene.
Resin identification codes are used solely to identify the plastic resin used in a manufactured article. If you need more information about how to label or identify your. 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 can be recycled where you live. Recycling codes how resins relate to the numerical symbols. 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. Resin identification codes rics, as specified by astm d7611. The numbers 1 through 6 currently represent that the package is made of one of six specific types of plastic. The use of this code indicates that the product in question is made of a resin other than the six listed above, or is made of more than one resin used in combination. This symbol does not mean the product has been recycled. A guide to plastics and resin codes posted on 18th june 2018 plastic packaging, recycling. A growing number of communities were implementing recycling programs in an effort to decrease the volume of waste subject to tipping fees at landfills. Spi introduced its resin identification coding system in 1988 at the urging of recyclers around the country. Code 7 is used to designate miscellaneous types of plastic not defined by the other six codes.
Items such as disposable coffee cups, plastic food boxes, plastic cutlery and packing foam are made from ps. V vinyl or pvc polyvinyl chloride is tough and weathers well, so it is. Plastic resins code table resin codes descriptions product applications polyethylene terephthalate pet, pete. Materials fact sheet plastics identification code 17.
4 928 72 850 1357 193 859 1480 639 416 712 1328 568 504 1204 1293 202 1425 1502 763 1122 962 900 433 487 1490 348 553 1208 727 461 379 630 1383 975 801 1263