The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) introduced a code system in 1988 that helps with recycling plastic by numbers. These types of plastics are not accepted in your King County curbside recycling bin. Recycled into: Decks, paneling, mud-flaps, roadway gutters, flooring, cables, speed bumps, mats. Plastic material that exhibit symbol 3 with the letter “V” represent PVC plastic or polyvinyl chloride. Many plastics can be readily recycled, but according to National Geographic, a whopping 91% of plastic has never even been recycled. Facing heightened public concern about ever-increasing amounts of garbage, the image of plastics was falling dramatically. The PIC (Plastics Identification Code) makes it easy to identify different plastics with the symbol being embossed into most plastic made products. Found in: Squeezable bottles; bread, frozen food, dry cleaning, and shopping bags; tote bags; furniture. With all the different rules and symbols, it can be confusing for consumers to figure out exactly what each plastic recycling symbol means and how to recycle it. Thanks to its durability, strength, and low weight, this plastic is utilized in furniture, luggage, toys, and the lining and external borders of cars. It advises what type of plastic the item is made from but not if it is recyclable. How to recycle it: Not many curbside recycling programs accept PS in the form of rigid plastics (and many manufacturers have switched to using PET instead). The numbers inside the symbol are material identification codes and do not indicate that the type of plastic is actually recycled. Plastic #5 – PP (Polypropylene) Increasingly becoming accepted by curbside recycle programs, plastic #5 is also one of the safer plastics to look for. Plastic packaging is hardly recycled in the United States, even though it carries the universal symbol of recycling, a triangle of chasing arrows. Plus, how to recycle the different types of plastics. This plastic is recycled into compost bins, paneling, trash can liners and cans, floor tiles, and shipping envelopes. PP, or polypropylene plastic, , is appropriately marked by the number five symbol including the acronym PP. Which bin? The symbols—then collectively called the Resin Identification Code (RIC)—were developed in 1988 by the organization now known as the Plastics Industry Association. Sometimes it seems like everything in modern America is made of plastic. This therefore makes it an option to include on corrugated cardboard packaging, and is particularly relevant to any packs that will be used / handled by end users (as opposed to within a supply chain). Plus, "there are times when your recycling program may change what it collects," says Mike Brown of Brown and Wilmanns Environmental, one of our environmental consultants. The little number inside the triangle is there to help us identify the type of plastic used for the product. The PIC (Plastics Identification Code) makes it easy to identify different plastics with the symbol being embossed into most plastic made products. Found in: Shampoo and cooking oil bottles, blister packaging, wire jacketing, siding, windows, piping. If you need to dispose of either material, ask your local waste management to see if you should put it in the trash or drop it off at a collection center. The problem is that if we throw non-recyclable plastics into the blue bin, they can contaminate the entire recycling stream. There are a handful of symbols for aluminum recycling and recycled aluminum; in addition to the symbol shown here, there's also a configuration of two curved arrows surrounding the letters \"alu.\" Aluminum recycling is one of the environmental movement's great success stories -- in many places, over 95 percent of all aluminum is recycled. The folded ‘chasing arrows’ resembles folded newspapers. Essentially, most thermoplastics (which are flexible and are typically containers for packaging consumer goods like drink bottles) can and should be recycled. Unfortunately, a lot of consumer goods are enclosed in the stuff. In the end, separating plastics accordingly helps waste management professionals ensure that the right materials end up in the right place. Remember to never burn PVC, because it releases toxins. Found in: Some yogurt containers, syrup and medicine bottles, caps, straws. Download my free plastics recycling cheat sheet (PDF)! Plastic resin codes. Found in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers, aspirin bottles, compact disc cases. Styrene monomer (a type of molecule) can leach into foods and is a possible human carcinogen, while styrene oxide is classified as a probable carcinogen. The recycling symbol is a variant of the Möbius loop to symbolize continuity within a finite entity. First, you need to know that on most plastic packaging products, including containers and jars, you’ll see a recycling logo printed typically on the bottom. 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. It carries low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many types of goods. Since they are both thermoplastics, they can be reheated without a loss in quality. Our expansive warehouse and manufacturing facility combined with experienced personnel assure that you receive the service and prices that you deserve. The number in the triangle indicates the type of plastic. The plastic is easily recyclable so it’s often part of curbside recycling programs. PVC is rarely recycled and not usually part of a curbside recycling program. Most places still don't accept it in foam forms because it's 98% air. Here's what each plastic recycling symbol means, along with examples it's found in and how to recycle it. Found in: Soft drinks, water, ketchup, and beer bottles; mouthwash bottles; peanut butter containers; salad dressing and vegetable oil containers. By understanding the meaning behind these symbols, you’ll be better equipped to help reduce waste, limit your carbon footprint, and help the environment. The universal recycling symbol (U+2672 ♲ universal recycling symbol or U+267B ♻ black universal recycling symbol in Unicode) is an internationally recognized symbol used … Plastics identification code (or resin code) This is not a recycling symbol. How to recycle it: These other plastics are traditionally not recycled, so don't expect your local provider to accept them. It is also increasingly being accepted in curbside recycling programs. Plastic #4 rests among the recycling symbols considered to be safe. Bill Loyd and Gary Anderson designing the recycling symbol. Numbers 1 and 2: Recycling bin. It poses low risk of leaching breakdown products. Mixed plastics and other types of plastics Many other types of plastic, such as vinyl banners, disposable Tyvek® clothing (shoe and boot covers, coveralls, hoods, lab coats, aprons, sleeves and pants), and large quantities of other plastics may be recyclable. Because chlorine is part of PVC, it can result in the release of highly dangerous dioxins during manufacturing. Why trust us? Most food packaging and other plastics are stamped with a recycling symbol, even if they are not commonly accepted for recycling. In the decades since this time, the Universal Recycling Symbol has vastly grown in use, being internationally recognized and actually becoming the universal symbol for recycling. Symbol 1 with the acronym PETE PETG plastic. It can be reused to make containers, carpet, and furniture. In essence, this packaging recycling symbol is used to indicate that more than 75% of local authorities in the UK will collect the packaging / material for recycling. The recycling logo consists of … But plastic recycling is a little tricky since seven different kinds of recyclable plastics carry this symbol (polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, low-density polyethylene, etc. With that said, we’re highlighting how these unique numbers can indicate the type of plastic, and what they mean when it’s time to recycle them. Even if there isn't a way for your town to recycle a certain material, he says there's still a chance they might collect it anyways and either store it or dispose of it. In rare instances, it can be recycled for speed bumps, roadway gutters, and cables. Acme has a proud heritage of customer service and reliability since 1943. To aid consumers in their recycling efforts, The Society of the Plastics Industry (now known as the Plastics Industry Association) devised a system of symbols that identifies the type of plastic used, and you'll find these symbols on the bottom of all plastic products. How to recycle it: PP can be recycled through some curbside programs, just don't forget to make sure there's no food left inside. Plastics recycling cheat sheet. In fact, returned packaging is burned or dumped massively. It was the late 1980s, and the plastics industry was under fire. Most hard plastics coded 1-7 can be recycled in your yellow lidded recycling bin … It took Gary Anderson ‘a day or two’ to come up with his design. This is one of the safer types of plastic making it ideal for ketchup bottles and medicine bottles. So, to help, here you’ll learn about the different types of plastic recycling symbols and what they mean. In fact, returned packaging is burned or dumped massively. 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