These Recycling Tips Could Save You A Lot Of Money
What do the little numbers on the recycling logo mean?
If you have ever found yourself looking at the little recycling logo on any of your plastic packaging, you may have noticed there is a small number inside the triangle. these relate to what an item is made of and how to recycle the item.
Well, here today I am going to explain in simple terms what each of the numbers mean, where they come from, and how to understand them.
Where do they come from?
The numbers you see inside the triangle are associated with the resin identification code (RIC). It was established by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), now known as the Plastics Industry Association. The SPI introduced the RIC system in 1988 to help identify different types of plastics and facilitate the recycling process.
What do they mean?
The numbers are organised from 1–7 with each number referencing the type of plastic used and how it can be recycled.
- Polyethene terephthalate (PET or PETE):
PET is commonly used for beverage bottles, food containers, and certain household items. - High-density polyethene (HDPE):
HDPE is commonly used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, and some plastic bags. - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC):
PVC is commonly used for pipes, vinyl flooring, and some food packaging. It is less commonly accepted for recycling. - Low-density polyethene (LDPE):
LDPE is commonly used for plastic bags and some squeeze bottles. It is often not collected in curbside recycling programs but can be recycled through special drop-off locations. - Polypropylene (PP):
PP is commonly used for yoghurt containers, bottle caps, and some food packaging. - Polystyrene (PS):
PS is commonly used for foam packaging, disposable cups and plates, and some food containers. It is less commonly accepted for recycling. - Other plastics:
This category includes all other plastic resins, such as polycarbonate (PC) and bioplastics. It is a catch-all category for plastics that do not fit into the previous six categories.
Things you should know about these numbers
- Polyethene terephthalate (PET or PETE):
avoid reusing plastic containers made of PET. Why? PET is meant for single-use applications; repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. Plus, it’s very difficult to clean or remove harmful chemicals. PET may leach carcinogens. - High-density polyethene (HDPE):
It’s a very common plastic and one of the safest to use. It’s also fully recyclable. - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC):
Most consumer recyclers will not take PVC products. Also, avoid reusing PVC products, especially when it comes to food or for children’s use. They contain toxins that leach throughout their entire life cycle. - Low-density polyethene (LDPE):
Though most plastic bags are not recyclable, some companies and recycling centres have found alternatives or are investigating how to recycle plastic bags, given their harmfulness to the environment. LDPE is reusable and safe to repurpose. - Polypropylene (PP):
Polypropylene is recyclable, although many recyclers still don’t accept it. PP is considered safe for reuse. - Polystyrene (PS):
Avoid polystyrene as best as possible. It’s used for disposable styrofoam drinking cups, take-out containers, packing peanuts, and more.
Polystyrene is not generally recyclable and accounts for 35% of US landfill material. it breaks apart so easily, it’s often found inside marine animals’ stomachs and littering our beaches.
Avoid reusing polystyrene. Chemicals present in polystyrene have been linked with human health and reproductive system dysfunction. Polystyrene may leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products (especially when heated in a microwave). - Other plastics:
Assume that nothing with the #7 number can be recycled or reused. BPA can leak chemicals. It’s a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor.
It's important to note that recycling laws and regulations differ among countries, so check online for your own country to learn about your own laws.
While recycling is helpful, it’s not the solution to getting rid of landfills full of plastic, it’s our job as consumers to make informed choices, don’t buy plastic if you can avoid it. Use re-useable containers/bottles/packaging when you can. the problem lies with over-consumption. Large companies and organisations will not stop producing these plastics as long as people keep buying them, it's a business after all.
We need to commit to being ‘low waste’ in order to make a change.
If you’ve come this far, I’d like to thank you for reading.
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