Plastic Recycling Codes

As per research only 9% of plastic can be recycled. As a consumer it is necessary to know about plastic recycling, recycling symbols and how to recycle the plastic good.   Plastic have Resin Identification Code (RIC) on plastic good. RIC is used to convey plastic properties and recycling  information.

 

Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE/PET)

Plastic #1 is usually clear in color and it is not intended for multiple uses. It needs to be stored in cool environments. It is commonly used in disposable beverage bottles, food containers/bottles, household cleaning product containers/bottles, cooking oil bottles, and medicine containers. It allows bacteria and odor to accumulate because of its porous nature. So it is only for one time usage. It is relatively safe if it is not heated else it will cause carcinogens leach.

Recycling : Yes 

High-Density Polyethylene(HDPE)

Plastic #2 is usually opaque. It is commonly used in milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent , toiletries containers, toys and playground equipment. It is safe and low risk of leaching. 

Recycling : Yes. can be easily and efficiently recycled up to 10 times.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC )

Plastic #3 contains softening chemicals called phthalates to make the item strong and elastic. It is commonly used in food wrap, bottles for cooking oil, shower curtains, inflatable mattresses,  common plumbing pipes, clear medical tubing, vinyl dashboards and seat covers. Phthalate is an Endocrine-disrupting chemical. It affects the hormonal and endocrine system. It is not considered safe for cooking or heating. DEHA may be produced during the plastic #3 lifecycle and is a highly toxic chemical. This affects children’s brain development, immune and endocrine system. These harmful chemicals also cause cancer. 

 Recycling : Rarely accepted by recycling programs. 

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) 

Plastic #4 is commonly used in grocery bags, some food wraps, squeezable bottles, and bread bags. This plastic is considered to be relatively safe but is not environment friendly. 

Recycling : It is accepted by specific recycling facilities 

Polypropylene (PP)

Plastic #5 is commonly used in ketchup bottles, yogurt cups, medicine , kitchenware and “microwave-safe” plastic containers, plastic caps of soda bottles, disposable diapers. Polypropylene is considered microwave-safe because it is heat resistant and therefore won’t get warped in the microwave. PP is considered a safe plastic if it is not used in the microwave for heating. 

Recycling : It is now accepted by most curbside recycling programs. 

Polystyrene, or Styrofoam 

Plastic #6 is commonly used in plastic cups, disposable cutlery , disposable containers and food ware, packaging. Research suggests that this type of plastic leaches potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. It would be wise to avoid #6 plastic as much as possible. 

Recycling : It is difficult to recycle and only accepted by specific recycling facilities. Even worse, when not recycled, it takes hundreds and hundreds of years to decompose! 

Plastic that does not fall in any of 1-6 categories is considered as plastic #7. Plastic #7 is composed of any new plastics, including bioplastics, Polycarbonate and highly toxic BPA. It is commonly used in water bottles, sports equipment, medical and dental devices and some computer and other technological parts. Use this category of plastic at your own risk

Recycling :  It is difficult to recycle #7 plastic and most of the recycling programs won't accept it.

Word of caution : Avoid use of plastics as much as possible. 

Relatively safe plastics categories: plastic #2, plastic #4 and plastic #5. Be weary of putting them in the microwave, even if they are labeled “microwave-safe”. 

Plastic to be used with caution: plastic #1, plastic #3, plastic #6 and plastic #7 

Try to stick to glass, metal, bamboo or other such reusable body and environment friendly materials.

Do you want to check your plastic footprint ?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bohFzRdByjdFIIQ4KCtkGItScq8ioRvWUFKYnbj3-7k/edit?usp=sharing  

(This shared file is available to all registered subscribers. If you are not able to access the file then kindly send an email to  - weresilient21@gmail.com or subscribe to blog  https://weresilient.blogspot.com/p/subscribe-to-blog.html)

To know the impact of plastic on health -

https://weresilient.blogspot.com/2021/08/Plastic-and-Health.html

Reference:

https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2018/04/04/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-plastic-and-recycling/  

Dr. Snehal Kamalapur