Plastics 101

The consumer market dominates the global packaging industry – accounting for an estimated 70% of sales – and plastics account for a growing percentage of the packaging we use. For most of us, plastic is plastic, but there are literally hundreds of type of plastics. Since 1988, those that may be recycled have an SPI code and symbol. Inside the symbol is a number, which represents the type of resin made to produce the plastic. 
 

Plastics by the numbers

 
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Clear, strong and resistant to heat with good gas and moisture barrier properties
Inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle
Plastic water, sports drink and pop bottles; salad dressing and vegetable oil containers, oven-ready food trays.
HDPE
(High Density Polyethylene)
Stiff, strong, resistant to chemicals and moisture, easy to process and form
Low risk of leaching (contaminated liquid draining from a landfill) and readily recyclable into many goods
Bottles for liquid dish and laundry detergent, juice, milk, shampoo, conditioner, bleaches and vinegar, bags for groceries and retail purchases, some butter and yogurt tubs
Vinyl
(Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC)
Versatile, clear, tough, resistant to grease, oil and chemicals
Some window cleaner and detergent bottles, and clear food packaging, like blister packs
LDPE
(Low Density Polyethylene)
Easy to process, strong, flexible, easy to seal, barrier to moisture
Bags for dry cleaning, newspapers, bread, frozen foods, fresh produce and household garbage, container lids, squeezable bottles, e.g., honey and mustard
PP
(Polypropylene)
Versatile, strong, resistant to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, barrier to moisture
Gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers
Some yogurt and margarine containers, syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, bottle caps, containers for takeout meals and deli foods, medicine bottles
PS
(Polystyrene)
Versatile (rigid or foamed), easily formed, insular
Gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers
Grocery store meat and poultry trays, egg cartons, cups, plates and cutlery, hinged takeout containers (e.g., clamshells), aspirin bottles, packing peanuts
Other – Use of this code indicates that the package is made with a resin other than the six above, or is made of more than one resin
Large reusable water bottles, oven-baking bags, barrier layers and customer packaging
 
Just because a material can be recycled doesn’t mean it’s recyclable where you live. In some cases, municipalities accept only certain types of a particular plastic, and not the full range. Following the rules and separating your recycling correctly will help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, save money (recycled products are cheaper to produce) and give your plastics a new lease on life.