Plastic Recycling Codes Every Business Owner Should Know

The familiar chasing-arrows symbol and the numbered plastic recycling codes identify the type of plastic used in a product. However, not every plastic can be reused or recycled – which is why standardised plastic recycling codes are used.

Below, we have collected the most important and most widely used codes that every business owner should know.

The seven most important plastic recycling codes

1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

PET is commonly found in consumer products such as packaging, water bottles and soft drink bottles. PET is relatively difficult to sanitise, and cleaning it properly requires harmful chemicals. For this reason, it is mainly intended for single use, as repeated use can increase the risk of bacterial growth and of potentially carcinogenic substances leaching out.

PET plastics can – and should – be recycled, but reuse is not recommended. To recycle PET, the plastic is crushed and shredded into small flakes, then reprocessed into polyester fibres or new PET bottles. Recycled fibres can be used to make carpets, fleece clothing, life jackets, cushion fillings and similar products.

2. High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is one of the safest and most frequently recycled types of plastic. It is durable and resistant to sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations. HDPE is used very widely, for example for shopping bags; milk, shampoo, juice, chemical and detergent bottles; various buckets and crates; and agricultural pipes.

Recycled HDPE can be used for a wide range of products, such as toys and playground equipment, pipes and ropes, various car parts, storage containers, waste bins, outdoor furniture and recycling containers.

65% of the raw materials we use are recycled.

3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC is a highly flexible, soft material used to make teething rings, cooking oil bottles, plastic food wrap, pet toys and many other products. It is often used as a sheathing material for computer cables and garden hoses. Thanks to its resistance to weather and sunlight, PVC is also used for pergolas and window frames.

Only certain PVC products can be recycled.

4. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is a relatively safe plastic and is considered the least toxic. It is a thermoplastic, typically used to make refuse sacks, stretch film and cling film.

Recycled LDPE offers many possible applications, including toys, pipe and cable sheathing, water pipes, irrigation system components, caps, bottles, various types of packaging, film, sacks and other general goods.

5. Polypropylene (PP)

Two of polypropylene's advantages are its light weight and toughness; it also offers excellent heat resistance. Because it resists chemicals, moisture and contaminants, it is used to make products such as plastic bottle caps, yoghurt and margarine tubs, disposable nappy bins and packaging tape.

Only a small percentage of PP is recycled today, even though recycled PP is suitable for making products such as trays, waste bins, brooms, battery cases, landscape edging strips and much more.

6. Polystyrene (PS)

Polystyrene is an extremely light, inexpensive and easily formed plastic, which is why it can be used in so many ways. It is most commonly used for egg cartons, plastic cutlery, cups and packaging materials. It is also used for rigid foam insulation and as an underlay for laminate flooring.

Although it has many advantages, PS recycling is not widely available. The material is ultra-light and structurally weak, so it can easily break up and scatter in the natural environment.

7. Other plastics

This category includes many other plastics, such as BPA-based plastics, LEXAN and polycarbonate. They are typically used to make water cooler bottles, baby bottles and many other products. Some of the types in this category have been shown to cause health problems. Most of them cannot be recycled.

As you can see, plastics offer many possibilities in terms of use, recycling and safety alike. Our qualified team will help you choose a cost-effective plastic that suits your industry and business. If you have any questions, please get in touch!