What do the numbers on bottom of plastic bottles mean?
At the bottom of most plastic containers you can find a small number inside the three arrow triangle recycling symbol. This number is a reference to what type of plastic the container is made of. The most widely accepted plastics for recycling are number 1 and 2, also most of plastic containers are type 1 and 2.
What are the unsafe plastic numbers?
The digits you want to avoid are 3, 6 and 7. (You might want to even get into the habit of chanting the three numbers in your mind to commit them to memory.) These three are made up of chemicals that are considered most concerning when it comes to toxicity.
What are these codes on plastic bottles?
THE 7 CODES FOR PLASTICS
- NUMBER 1: PET OR PETE (POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE)
- NUMBER 2: HDPE (HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE)
- NUMBER 3: V AND PVC (VINYLS AND POLYVINYL CHLORIDE)
- NUMBER 4: LDPE (LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE)
- NUMBER 5: PP (POLYPROPYLENE)
- NUMBER 6: PS (POLYSTYRENE)
- NUMBER 7: OTHERS (MIX OF OTHER PLASTICS)
What does the #1 mean on the bottom of a plastic bottle?
1. If the triangle has the number ‘1’ inside it, the plastic used to manufacture that bottle is made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). Commonly used for bottled water or soft drinks, it’s safe for a single use and should never be heated.
What does the 5 mean on the bottom of a plastic bottle?
polypropylene
Number 5 is for PP (polypropylene). No. 5 plastics are often used for dishwasher safe cups and bowls, baby bottles, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs and diapers. More and more recycling centers are beginning to accept items made with No. 5 plastic.
What do numbers on plastic mean?
The numbers are called Resin Identification Codes (RIC) and range from one to seven. The numbers indicate the kind of plastic that they are, and make recycling much simpler for you and for your community.
Which number plastic bottles are safe to use?
Remember, number 2, 4 and 5 are safer plastics. Number 1 is also safe, but should not be reused. Numbers 6 and 7 should not be used if you can avoid it.
What numbers are food grade plastic?
As a general rule, the numbers that are safe for use with food are 1, 2, 4, and 5. The best type of plastic for use in long-term food storage is high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is indicated by the “2” symbol.
What number is PVC plastic?
3
Plastic Number 3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Polyvinyl chloride is most commonly referred to as Vinyl or PVC. PVC is light weight and versatile. PVC is meant for single use. Polyvinyl chloride can break down into dangerous chemicals like vinyl chloride.
What does number 2 plastic bottle mean?
high-density polyethylene
2 is for HDPE (high-density polyethylene). Milk jugs, bleach, shampoo, etc., will often contain this number. These are heavier containers that can be recycled into toys and piping. PETE/PET and HDPE are usually accepted at recycling centers.
What do the numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles mean?
Well through these numbers in triangles at the bottom. Mostly, these numbers that are printed inside a triangle, which is the universal symbol of recycling and is called a Resin Identification Code (RIC).
What is the number 3 on a PVC bottle?
#3 number code plastics – PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Watch out: a little confusing is that plastic bottle manufacturers may describe bottle categories as “PETG/PCTG/PVC bottles” [10] Typical examples: tan, translucent prescription bottles; plastic deodorant containers (shown at right)
What’s the number 2 on a water bottle?
#2 code plastics – HDPE (high density polyethylene) (Nalgene Corp. produces HDPE water bottles) – also see PLASTIC & FIBERGLASS TANKS, HDPE #3 number code plastics – PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Watch out: a little confusing is that plastic bottle manufacturers may describe bottle categories as “PETG/PCTG/PVC bottles” [10]
What does it mean when plastic is stamped with a number?
A product made of plastic is often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The presence of a resin code doesn’t necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It’s the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.