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Translating Plastic Recycling Symbols

By: Joseph Campbell

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Have you ever puzzled over what these stamped symbols on plastic containers or appliance packaging mean? Once in a while, we find ourselves asking about the purpose of these recycling symbols and their connection to waste management and health issues.

Plastic recycling symbols represent the specific forms of resin used to synthesize the plastic. These symbols are set according to the international Plastic Coding System, and are usually illustrated as a number (from 1 up to 7) bounded by a triangle or a simplified triangular loop (also known as the Mobius loop), with an acronym of the particular resin used, right underneath the triangle.

Here are concise definitions of all of the 7 recycling icons commonly used, at the moment:

1 - PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene)

Light weight, low-priced, and easy to make, PET is the most common plastic material in use today. PET is often used in softdrink bottles, edible oil bottles, and microwaveable food trays. It can be reconstituted into polar fleece, tote bags, plastic furniture, etc. The demand for this plastic among recyclers is fairly high, but at the moment, the recycling rate for this material has remained low at 20%.

2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

High Density Polyethylene is stronger and sensitive to chemical decomposition, this material presents a fairly minimal danger of spreading chemicals when used as receptacle for food and drinks. It is mainly used as containers for staple household chemicals (shampoos, detergents, etc.), milk carton liners, containers for short shelf life food products like butter, etc. This can be remade into pens, picnic tables, new HDPE bottles, benches, etc.

3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC has been tagged as a health hazard - it has been noted to consistently drain toxins when used as containers. PVC is commonly used for piping, wire coating, shampoo bottles, etc. It has chlorine and will dispense toxins if burned. PVC should not be present in food preparation or food packaging. It can be reconstituted into cable, speed bumps, flooring, etc.

4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene )

LDPE is the material present in tote bags, frozen food wrapping, carpets, etc. Tough but also pliant, it is ideal for packaging, insulation, and sealing. LDPE, through many curbside recycling programs, can be remade into trash can liners, plastic lumber, and plastic lumber.

5 - PP (Polypropylene)

This chemical resistant plastic resin is most suited for hot liquid receptacles and is likewise used in bottle caps, battery cables, vehicular battery cases, etc. PP can be reused into landscape borders, battery cables, pallets, etc.

6 - PS (Polystyrene)

Polystyrene is the most common material for insulation and is used in foam products like expanded polystyrene (EPS), generically known as styrofoam. It is made into disposable food containers, egg cartons, disposable cups. PS incorporates benzene, a human carcinogen and should not be incinerated. It is recycled into insulation, packaging, plant beds, etc.

7 - OTHER (Polycarbonate)

This symbol represents materials not belonging to any of the other 6 resin groupings. OTHER may also signify a hybrid resin made up of a mix of those materials. It is commonly found in baby feeding bottles, bullet-proof vests, camping bottles, five-gallon water jugs, etc. It can be reconstituted into plastic planks and other customized items.

Not all number 7 plastics are polycarbonate, some are even plant-based. Polycarbonate has become the focal point of debate in recent years, as it is monitored to leach BPA (bisphenol A), a hormonal disruptor that may severely influence pregnancy and fetal development.

Plastic recycling symbols are conceptualized largely to support the staff in recycling establishments to appropriately segregate materials for disposal. A basic familiarity with these signs can also aid us in figuring out if the plastic product we are using at home are safe for us and our loved ones.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Joseph Campbell is a writer for the Pacebutler Recycling and Environmental blog. Pacebutler Corporation is a US trading company that pays cash for cell phones, in online transactions. If you just want to dispose of your old cell phones responsibly, you may also recycle cell phones through Pacebutler.

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