Plastics Overview
Plastics Coding # 1-7
To help plastic recycling, each plastic container has a code on the bottom surface. The code or number is enclosed by a triangular shape symbol with three arrows. Coding and common uses are as follows;
| Codes | Common Use |
|
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) |
Plastic soft drink, sports drink and water bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter, salad dressing containers, berry boxes and cake domes |
|
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) |
Milk, water and juice containers, liquid detergent bottles, laundry soap containers, ice cream containers, yogurt and margarine tubs |
|
Vinyl (V) |
Clear food packaging, shampoo bottles and vegetable oil bottles with handles |
|
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) |
Bread bags, frozen food bags, dry cleaning bags, carry-out snacks, squeezable bottles (i.e. honey, mustard) |
|
Polypropylene (PP) |
Yogurt containers and margarine tubs |
|
Polystyrene |
Aspirin bottles and other rigid plastics |
|
Other |
Some citrus juice and ketchup bottles, some flexible packaging for items like bacon and cheese |
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7Information provided by Environment and Plastics Industry Council (EPIC)
