 |
Do You Know Your
Plastic Recycling
Numbers? |
|
The society of the Plastics Industries (SPI) developed the SPI Resin identification coding system to identify the polymer in plastics for recycling. The term polymer refers to the type of plastic with a wide variety of properties.
Plastic containers which are recyclable are identified by six plastics SPI recycling numbers, from one to six. Remember, not all types of plastics can be recycled. Therefore, it's critical to |
look for an SPI number from one to six inside the triangular recycling symbol on the bottom or backside of a container, please remember to recycle these plastics.
As there are many benefits of recycling plastic, understanding the significance of these numbers will help you check for them before purchasing any plastic product. |
| Following is additional information regarding the plastic recycling numbers, their symbol, abbreviation, polymer name, current use and reuse options. |
|
SPI # |
Polymer Name |
Polymer Abbreviation |
Found In |
Reuse |
|
PETE or PET |
Polyethylene Terephthalate |
Soft drink, water, mouthwash and glass bottles, peanut butter, vegetable oils, and salad dressing containers. |
Furniture, tote bags, paneling, straps, fibers, polar fleece |
 |
HDPE |
High Density Polyethylene |
Bottles of detergents, shampoo, motor oil, bleach, milk jugs, juice, yogurt, butter, and cereal boxes |
Pens, containers, floor tiles, dog house, tables, fencing, benches, oil bottles, drainage pipe. |
 |
PVC |
Polyvinyl Chloride |
Bottles of detergents, shampoo, cooking oil, window cleaner, food packaging , windows, piping, medical equipment, wire jacketing |
Paneling, decks, roadway gutters, cables, speed bumps, flooring |
 |
LDPE |
Low Density Polyethylene |
Packaging of frozen food, bread, shopping bags, furniture, clothing, carpets |
Trash cans and liners, paneling, lumber, shipping envelopes, compost bins, floor tiles |
 |
PP |
Polypropylene |
Syrup bottles, caps, straws, ketchup bottles, medicine bottles, yogurt containers. |
Signal lights, brushes, brooms, ice scrapers, racks bins, trays, battery cables. |
 |
PS |
Polystyrene |
Aspirin bottles, compact disc cases, disposable plates and cups, meat trays, carry out containers. |
Switch plates, vents, rulers, insulation, foam packaging | | |
