Unravelling Plastic Recycling Symbols
Posted: Monday, July 13, 2009
by Michael Arms
http://www.pacebutler.com/
Plastic performs an important function in our current society. It's everywhere - the most common material used to make items for our convenience - water bottles, appliances, packaging, etc. Have you ever inquired about, for a second, the meaning of those symbols found in your plastic?
Plastic recycling symbols stand for the types of resin used to manufacture the material. These symbols are specified in conformance with the international Plastic Coding System , and are often depicted as a number (from 1 to 7) enclosed by a triangle or a plain triangular loop (also known as the Mobius loop), with an acronym of the unique resin used, right at the base of the loop.
1 - PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene)
Light weight, cheap, and easy to fabricate, Polyethylene Terephalate Ethylene is the most common plastic material in use today. PET is mostly used in beverage bottles, cooking oil bottles, and peanut butter containers. It can be reconstituted into polar fleece, tote bags, plastic furniture, etc. The demand for this material among recyclers is fairly strong, but at present, the recycling rate for this material has remained low at 20%.
2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
HDPE is more durable and more immune to chemical degeneration, this material presents a relatively low risk of leaching chemicals when used as container for food and drinks. It is mainly used as containers for common household chemicals (shampoos, detergents, etc.), grocery bags, talc bottles, etc. This can be reconstituted into pens, motor oil bottles, fencing, recycling bins, etc.
3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC has been identified as a health hazard - it has been observed to frequently drain chemicals when used as containers. PVC is commonly used for piping, window cleaner bottles, windows, etc. It has chlorine and will emit toxins if ignited. PVC should not be used in food preparation or food packaging. It can be reprocessed into decking, speed humps, flooring, etc.
4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene )
LDPE is the material found in tote bags, sheets, carpets, etc. Durable and pliant, it is ideal for packaging, insulation, and sealing. LDPE, through many curbside recycling programs, can be reprocessed into paneling, shipping envelopes, and floor tiles.
5 - PP (Polypropylene)
Polypropylene is most suited for hot liquid containers and is also manufactured into bottle caps, straws, ketchup bottles, etc. PP can be remade into signal lights, battery cables, pallets, etc.
6 - PS (Polystyrene)
Polystyrene is the top component for insulation and is used in foam products like expanded polystyrene (EPS), generically known as styrofoam. It is present in disposable food containers, egg cartons, CD cases. PS incorporates benzene, a human carcinogen and should not be burned. It is reprocessed into insulation, hobby rail road objects, plant beds, etc.
7 - OTHER (Polycarbonate)
Recycling symbol 7 - OTHER denotes materials not matching with any of the other 6 resin groupings. OTHER may also signify a hybrid resin made up of a mix of those materials. It is commonly present in children feeding containers, bullet-proof vests, store signages, iPod cases, etc. It can be reclaimed into plastic lumber and other tailor-made products.
Not all number 7 plastics are polycarbonate, a few are even organic. Polycarbonate has become the center of a political firestorm in recent years, as it is monitored to leach BPA (bisphenol A) , a hormonal disruptor that may disastrously impact child-bearing and fetal growth.
In today's health-attentive society, a basic apprehension of the substances that we allow to come into contact with our food or our skin can often spell the difference between a flourishing family and a home endangered by dangerous chemicals and toxins. While recycling symbols are mainly devised to assist technicians in sorting out materials in recycling establishments, recognizing these logos is undeniably becoming necessary in safeguarding our own health and that of our families.
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