If you look at the bottom of most plastic bottles and many plastic products, you will see a number or numbers surrounded by arrows that form a triangle. These numbers were developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry or SPI, and they are part of a resin identification coding system and commonly known as resin codes. Basically, the purpose of the code is to identify the type of plastic that was used to create the plastic.
In some cities, recycling programs require that items must have a number one or a number two on the product in order for it to be eligible for recycling. Some cities, such as Los Angeles, will accept many other types of plastic, but many are not able to process anything but a one or two. The one is an indicator that the plastic was created using polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET or PETE. Most plastic water and soft drink containers are made using this material, and one form of PET is used to make a thin plastic film often called Mylar. These PET products are created using a process known as thermoforming. As the name suggests, heat is used to warm plastic sheets to a malleable temperature, and it is then formed into shape using a special mold.
When the number on your plastic is a two, this is plastic that has been created with high-density polyethylene. Many products, including grocery bags, milk jugs and containers for food storage are made using this polymer, which is sometimes called HDPE plastic. This type of plastic is also used from some toy items, such as hula hoops, and even used in some reconstructive surgeries.
A wide variety of items are produced with polyvinyl chloride, which is identified using the number three. It's also more commonly just called PVC, and you can find PVC pipes in any hardware store. It is also used to make vinyl clothing and upholstery as well as shower curtains and even toys. The resin code of four, which is low-density polyethylene or LDPE, is used for a wide variety of items, including the plastic rings that hold together your cans of beer or soda. Because of its high resistance to many chemicals, it is also useful for making equipment for laboratories.
Polypropylene is designated with a five as its resin code, and this type of plastic can be used to produce a myriad of items. This is a very tough polymer and resists many chemicals. Furniture and carpets often contain polypropylene, and many ropes use this plastic as well. It is also used to create diapers and other types of sanitary products because it can absorb water. Number six plastics are made from polystyrene. Items made from this plastic include those little packing peanuts we put in shipping boxes as well as containers and cups. Styrofoam is a branded name for a type of polystyrene foam.
A seven is a number used for a miscellaneous category that includes items with a variety of different plastics in them, as well as plastics such as nylon and acrylic. There is no eight yet designated, but the number nine is used to identify products made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, also known as ABS. This type of thermoplastic is used to make a variety of interesting products, most notably Lego bricks.
In some cities, recycling programs require that items must have a number one or a number two on the product in order for it to be eligible for recycling. Some cities, such as Los Angeles, will accept many other types of plastic, but many are not able to process anything but a one or two. The one is an indicator that the plastic was created using polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly known as PET or PETE. Most plastic water and soft drink containers are made using this material, and one form of PET is used to make a thin plastic film often called Mylar. These PET products are created using a process known as thermoforming. As the name suggests, heat is used to warm plastic sheets to a malleable temperature, and it is then formed into shape using a special mold.
When the number on your plastic is a two, this is plastic that has been created with high-density polyethylene. Many products, including grocery bags, milk jugs and containers for food storage are made using this polymer, which is sometimes called HDPE plastic. This type of plastic is also used from some toy items, such as hula hoops, and even used in some reconstructive surgeries.
A wide variety of items are produced with polyvinyl chloride, which is identified using the number three. It's also more commonly just called PVC, and you can find PVC pipes in any hardware store. It is also used to make vinyl clothing and upholstery as well as shower curtains and even toys. The resin code of four, which is low-density polyethylene or LDPE, is used for a wide variety of items, including the plastic rings that hold together your cans of beer or soda. Because of its high resistance to many chemicals, it is also useful for making equipment for laboratories.
Polypropylene is designated with a five as its resin code, and this type of plastic can be used to produce a myriad of items. This is a very tough polymer and resists many chemicals. Furniture and carpets often contain polypropylene, and many ropes use this plastic as well. It is also used to create diapers and other types of sanitary products because it can absorb water. Number six plastics are made from polystyrene. Items made from this plastic include those little packing peanuts we put in shipping boxes as well as containers and cups. Styrofoam is a branded name for a type of polystyrene foam.
A seven is a number used for a miscellaneous category that includes items with a variety of different plastics in them, as well as plastics such as nylon and acrylic. There is no eight yet designated, but the number nine is used to identify products made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, also known as ABS. This type of thermoplastic is used to make a variety of interesting products, most notably Lego bricks.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys writing about how stuff is made. For further information about retail product packaging or to find out more about food packaging design, please visit the Indepak site today.
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