The plastic product recycling symbol was formulated in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now renamed Plastics Industry Association). This set of logos stamps plastic material identification codes on containers or packaging materials, plastic recycling numbers 1 to 7, so that people can simply join the ranks of recycling without having much work to learn the similarities and differences of various plastic materials. Every plastic container has a plastic recycling symbol, usually at the bottom of the plastic containers. Each number represents a kind of plastic container. They are made of different materials, and there are also different contraindications.
| Plastic Recycling Symbol | Plastic Recycling Numbers | Plastic Name | Most Used Applications | Other Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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plastic number 1, number 1 plastic, recycle symbol 1, pet 1 plastic, number 1 plastic, pete 1 plastic, plastic number 1, recycle 1 pete, plastic 1 recycle, number 1 recycle plastic, pet 1 plastic recycle, |
PET / PETE Polyethylene terephthalate | Mostly used to makesoda bottle,mineral water bottle, carbonated drink bottle, and other drinking bottles. It’s also used to make edible oil containers, peanut and butter jars and containers for other popular food packing items. Do not repeat used this kind bottles for hot water or hot drinks. |
Heat-resistant temperature is up to 70℃, only suitable for warm or frozen drinks. It is easy to deform when it is filled with high-temperature liquid or heated, and harmful substances to the human body will melt. In addition, scientists have discovered that after 10 months of use, No. 1 plastic may release the carcinogen DEHP, which is toxic to the testis. Therefore, throw away the beverage bottle when it is used up. Don’t use it as a water cup or as a storage container to carry other items. It should not be placed in the car in the sun; do not store alcohol, oil and other substances. |
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hdpe 2 plastic, hdpe 2 recycling, 2 plastic, number 2 plastic, plastic #2, hdpe 2 plastic recycling, plastic code 2, recycle number 2, |
HDPE High Hensity Polyethylene | white medicine bottles, yogurt bottles, chewing gum bottles, detergents, shampoo, shower gel, edible oil, pesticides, etc. containers. The containers are mostly semi-opaque and feel like wax.
It is recommended not to recycle if cleaning is not thorough |
It can be reused after careful cleaning, but these containers are usually not easy to clean. The original cleaning supplies remain and become a hotbed of bacteria. You’d better not reuse them. |
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3 | PVC Polyvinyl Chloride | water pipes and water pipe joints, raincoats, building materials, schoolbag plastic film, plastic boxes, etc.
It is rarely used for food packaging at present. If the food container is made of PVC material, it is best not to buy it. |
It has excellent plasticity and low price, so it is widely used and can only heat up to 81℃. This material is prone to produce harmful substances at high temperatures, and even a small amount of release during the manufacturing process is rarely used in food packaging. After these toxic substances enter the human body with food, they may cause diseases such as breast cancer and birth defects of newborns. |
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recycle symbol 4, 4 ldpe, number 4 plastic recycling, 4 plastic, |
LDPE Low Density Polyethylene | plastic wrap, plastic film, plastic bag, tube packaging of toothpaste or facial cleanser. Not suitable as a beverage container. | The heat resistance is not strong. Generally, the qualified PE cling film will melt when the temperature exceeds 110℃, leaving some plastic preparations that cannot be decomposed by the human body. In addition, when food is wrapped with plastic wrap and heated, the fat in the food can easily dissolve harmful substances in the plastic wrap. If these toxic substances enter the human body with food, they may cause diseases such as breast cancer and birth defects in newborns. Therefore, it cannot be heated together with food into the microwave oven. |
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recycling symbol 5, pp 5 plastic, plastic #5, pp 5 plastic microwave, recycling symbol 5, number 5 plastic, pp5 plastic, recycle 5 pp, recycle 5 symbol, 5 recycle, |
PP Polypropylene | water buckets, trash cans, baskets, baskets, soy milk bottles, yogurt bottles, juice drink bottles, microwave lunch boxes and other food containers | It can withstand high temperatures up to 130°C. It is the only plastic box that can be placed in a microwave oven and can be reused after careful cleaning. Need special attention, some microwave lunch boxes, the box is indeed made of No. 5 PP, but the lid is made of No. 1 PE, because PE can not withstand high temperatures, it cannot be placed in the microwave together with the box. To be safe, remove the lid of the container before putting it in the microwave. |
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number 6 plastic, number 6 plastic recycling, ps 6 recycling, recycle number 6, recycling code 6, 6 recycling, plastic #6, recycling number 6, recycle symbol 6 ps, ps 6 recycle, plastic code 6, |
PS Polystyrene | building materials, toys, stationery, rollers, ice containers, instant noodle buckets, bowls of instant noodle boxes, disposable tableware, etc. | Low water absorption, heat and cold resistance, but can not be placed in a microwave oven, so as to avoid the release of chemicals due to high temperature. And can not be used to install strong acids (such as orange juice), strong alkaline substances, because it will decompose polystyrene, which is not good for the human body, and easily cause cancer. Therefore, you should try to avoid using PS-based fast food boxes to pack hot food. Do not use the microwave to cook instant noodles in a bowl. |
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number 7 plastic, recycle 7 other, plastic number 7 bpa free, |
Others | PC: water bottle, water cup, space cup, baby bottle, etc. Department stores often use water cups of this material.
PA: Nylon, which is mostly used for the internal parts of fiber textiles and some home appliances. |
PC releases toxic substance bisphenol A at high temperature, which is harmful to human body. Do not heat it when using it, and do not expose it to direct sunlight. |
| * Information collected by Mr Alvin… | ||||
The recycling mark is also a health certificate
The plastic recycling symbol is a triangle symbol, usually at the bottom of the plastic container. There are numbers from 1 to 7 in the triangle. Each number represents a different material. Therefore, the different numbers in the recycling mark indicate which resin the product is made of. If the product is made of several different materials, What is marked is the main and basic materials of the product.
Remember, only products with plastic number 5 are formerly recognized as the safest food plastic packaging container, it is also the only plastic container that can be heated in a microwave oven.
