What do the symbols on plastic bottles mean?

What do the symbols on plastic bottles mean?

It looks like a recycling symbol (three bent arrows forming a triangle) with a number inside. This symbol does not depict the number of times that the plastic has been recycled, as is commonly believed. Instead, the symbol is used to tell recyclers and waste management handlers what the plastic is made from.

What are the symbols for recycling plastics?

Your Guide to Plastic Recycling Symbols

• The “Chasing Arrows” Symbol. The “chasing arrows” symbol we see on plastic containers and products does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable.
• Symbol 1: PETG or PETE.
• Symbol 2: HDPE.
• Symbol 3: PVC or Vinyl.
• Symbol 4: LDPE.
• Symbol 5: PP.
• Symbol 6: Styrene, or PS.
• Symbol 7: Other.

What do the numbers on the bottom of plastics mean?

It’s easy to miss, but this tiny digit is actually pretty important, because it’s an ID. The number is a resin identification code, used to help recycling plants sort materials. Recyclable plastics are labeled with numbers 1-7 to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be processed.

How do you read plastic codes?

Plastics by the Numbers

1. #1 – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
2. #2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
3. #3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
4. #4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
5. #5 – PP (Polypropylene)
6. #6 – PS (Polystyrene)
7. #7 – Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN)

How can you tell the quality of a plastic bottle?

Check on the bottom of the bottle there is a triangle sign and there will be a number on it. If the number is higher than or equal to 5 –> then this bottle is safe to use. Whatever number under 5, will release the chemical. For most bottle water, the number is 1.

What is Ric for beverage bottles?

ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System
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.

What is the plastic symbol?

Almost all plastic products bear the general recycling symbol: a triangle formed by three circling arrows. The number in the triangle indicates the type of plastic. There are six common types of plastic and one miscellaneous category with the number 7.

What does HDPE symbol mean?

High-Density Polyethylene
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a thermoplastic made using petroleum. HDPE is a versatile plastic with a wide range of uses. In a lot of cases, it is a very cost-effective option for replacing metal or glass.

What does the #1 mean on the bottom of a plastic bottle?

Most clear bottles (soda, water, etc.) have the No. 1 in the triangle. The No. 1 stands for PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate). These items can be recycled into fiberfill for winter coats, sleeping bags and bean bags.

What does the number on the bottom of bottles mean?

ADVERTISEMENT. Probably in the majority of cases, single or double-digit numbers are mold numbers, merely serving to identify a particular mold, (or section/mold cavity in an automatic bottle manufacturing machine) that was used to form the bottle, jar or other glass item.