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Recycling: Numbers, Codes, Chart, Resin, BPA

Recycling the materials helps to maintain the ecological balance.

We can reuse or recycle things that are identified through certain numbers.

These numbers are centered inside chasing arrows by clockwise. These are called the recycling numbers. Usually, these numbers are mostly found on the body of plastic things such as…

• Toys
• Bags
• Bins
• Cars
• Packages etc.

Recycling symbols can be also in a different color along with recycling numbers. The scale of the recycling numbers is between 1-7.

These numbers show the idea of whether the product is recyclable, reusable or not.

This also lets buyers or users the concept of buying recycled products.

Recycling Numbers/Codes

Different countries have different types of recycling codes. Resin Identification Code (RIC) first appeared in 1988.

China has a different polymer identification system. They classified plastics into seven types and have five separate symbols for post-consumer paths.

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They also have 140 identification codes of plastics.

Numbers or codes can be unfamiliar but the target of these recycling numbers or codes is always the same.

Recycling Numbers Chart

List of Chinese codes for plastics products 1 to 140:

China’s Standardization Administration listed 140 types of material codes of multiple types of plastics. These are written in the document GB16288,2008.

Code	Abbreviation	Name
1	PET	poly(ethylene terephthalate)
2	HDPE	polyethylene, high density
3	PVC	poly(vinyl chloride)
4	LDPE	polyethylene, low density
5	PP	polypropylene
6	PS	polystyrene
7	AB	Acrylonitrile-butadiene plastic
8	ABAK	Acrylonitrile-butadiene-acrylate plastic
9	ABS	Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic
10	ACS	Acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene-styrene
11	AEPDS	Acrylonitrile-(ethylene-propylene-diene)-styrene plastic
12	AMMA	Acrylonitrile-methyl-methacrylate plastic
13	ASA	Acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate plastic
14	CA	cellulose acetate
15	CAB	cellulose acetate butyrate
16	CAP	cellulose acetate propionate
17	CEF	cellulose formaldehyde
18	CF	cellulose-formaldehyde resin
19	CMC	carboxymethyl cellulose
20	CN	cellulose nitrate
21	COC	cycloolefin copolymer
22	CP	cellulose propionate
23	CTA	cellulose triacetate
24	E/P	Ethylene-propylene plastic
25	EAA	Ethylene-acrylic acid plastic
26	EBAK	Ethylene-butyl acrylate plastic
27	EC	ethyl cellulose
28	EEAK	Ethylene-ethyl acrylate plastic
29	EMA	Ethylene-methacrylic acid plastic
30	EP	epoxide; epoxy resin or plastic
31	ETFE	Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene plastic
32	EVA	Ethylene-vinyl acetate plastic
33	EVOH	Ethylene-vinyl alcohol plastic
34	FEP	perfluoro (ethylene-propylene) plastic
35	FF	Furan-formaldehyde resin
36	LCP	Liquid-crystal polymer
37	MABS	methyl methacrylate-acrylnitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic
38	MBS	methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene plastic
39	MC	methyl cellulose
40	MF	Melamine-formaldahyde resin
41	MP	Melamine-phenol resin
42	MSAN	α-methylstyrene-acrylonitrile plastic
43	PA	polyamide
44	PAA	poly(acrylic acid)
45	PAEK	polyaryletherketone
46	PAI	polyamidimide
47	PAK	polyacrylate
48	PAN	polyacrylonitrile
49	PAR	polyarylate
50	PARA	poly(aryl amide)
51	PB	polybutene
52	PBAK	poly(butyl acrylate)
53	PBAT	poly(butylene adipate/terephthalate)
54	PBD	1,2-polybutadiene
55	PBN	poly(butylene napthalate)
56	PBS	polybuthylenesuccinate
57	PBT	poly(butylene terephthalate)
58	PC	polycarbonate
59	PCCE	poly(cyclohexlyene dimethylene cyclo-hexanedicar-boxylate)
60	PCL	polycaprolactone
61	PCT	poly(cyclonhexylene dimethylene terephthalate)
62	PCTFE	polychlorotrifluoroethylene
63	PDAP	poly(diallyl phthalate)
64	PDCPD	polydiclopentadiene
65	PEC	polyester carbonate or poly(butylene succinate/carbonate)
66	PEC	polyestercarbonate
67	PE-C	polyethylene, chlorinated
68	PEEK	polyetheretherketone
69	PEEST	polyetherester
70	PEI	polyetherimide
71	PEK	polyetherketone
72	LLDPE	polyethylene, linear low density
73	MDPE	polyethylene, medium density
74	PEN	poly(ethylene naphthalate)
75	PEOX	poly(ethylene oxide)
76	PES	poly(ethylene succinate)
77	PESTUR	polyesterurethane
78	PESU	polyethersulfone
79	UHMWPE	polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight
80	PEUR	polyetherurethane
81	VLDPE	polyethylene, very low density
82	PF	Phenol-formaldehyde resin
83	PFA	Perfluoro alkoxyl alkane resin
84	PGA	poly(glycolic acid)
85	PHA	polyhydroxyalanoic or polyhydroxyalkanoates
86	PHB	polyhydroxybutyric acid or polyhydroxybutyrate
87	PHBV	poly-(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)
88	PI	polyimide
89	PIB	polyisobutylene
90	PIR	polyisocyanurate
91	PK	polyketone
92	PLA	polylactic acid or poly lactide
93	PMI	polymethacrylimide
94	PMMA	poly(methyl methacrylate)
95	PMMI	Poly-N-methylmethacrylimide
96	PMP	poly-4-methylpenten-1
97	PMS	Poly-α-methylstyrene
98	POM	poloxymethylene; polyacetal; polyormaldehyde
99	PPC	carbon dioxide and propylene copolymer
100	PPDO	Poly(p-dioxanone)
101	PPE	poly(phenylene ether)
102	PP-E	polypropylene, expandable
103	PP-HI	polypropylene, high impact
104	PPOX	poly(propylene oxide)
105	PPS	poly(phenylene sulfide)
106	PPSU	poly(phenylene sulfone)
107	EPS	polystyrene, expandable
108	HIPS	polystyrene, high impact
109	PSU	polysulfone
110	PTFE	poly tetrafluoroethylene
111	PTMAT	poly(tetramethylene adipate/terephthalate)
112	PTT	poly(trimethylene terephthalene)
113	PUR	polyurethane
114	PVA	poly(vinyl acetate)
115	PVOH	poly(vinyl alcohol)
116	PVB	poly(vinyl butyral)
117	PVC-C	poly(vinyl chloride), chlorinated
118	PVC-U	poly(vinyl chloride), unplasticized
119	PVDC	poly(vinylidene chloride)
120	PVDF	poly(vinylidene fluoride)
121	PVF	poly(vinyl fluoride)
122	PVFM	poly(vinyl formal)
123	PVK	Poly-N-vinylcarbazole
124	PVP	Poly-N-vinylpyrrolidine
125	SAN	Styrene-acrylonitrile plastic
126	SB	Styrene-butadiene plastic
127	SI	silicone plastic
128	SMAH	Styrene-maleic anyhydride plastic
129	SMS	Styrene-α-methylstyrene plastic
130	UF	Urea-formaldehyde resin
131	UP	unsaturated polyester resin
132	VCE	vinyl chloride-ethylene plastic
133	VCEMAK	vinyl chloride-ethylene-methyle-acrylate plastic
134	VCEVAC	vinyl chloride-ethylene-vinyl acrylate plastic
135	VCMAK	vinyl chloride-methyl acrylate plastic
136	VCMMA	vinyl chloride-methyl methacrylate plastic
137	VCOAK	vinyl chloride-octyl acrylate plastic
138	VCVAC	vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate plastic
139	VCVDC	Vinylchloride-vynylidene chloride plastic
140	VE	vinyl ester resin

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling_codes)

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List of Resin Identification Codes (RIC) and codes defined by the European Commission:

These RIC codes are not only for plastics. These code work for plastics, batteries, paper, metals, biomatter/organic material, glass, and composites.

Symbol	Code	Description	Examples
Plastics
	#1 PET(E)	Polyethylene terephthalate	Polyester fibers, soft drink bottles
	#2 PEHD or HDPE	High-density polyethylene	Plastic bottles, plastic bags, trash cans, oil cans, imitation wood
	#3 PVC	Polyvinyl chloride	Window frames, bottles for chemicals, flooring, plumbing pipes
	#4 PELD or LDPE	Low-density polyethylene	Plastic bags, buckets, soap dispenser bottles, milk bottles, plastic tubes
	#5 PP	Polypropylene	Bumpers, car interior trim, industrial fibers, carry-out beverage cups
	#6 PS	Polystyrene	Toys, flower pots, video cassettes, ashtrays, trunks, beverage/food coolers, beer cups, wine and champagne cups, carry-out food containers, Styrofoam
	#7 O (OTHER)	All other plastics	Polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylic plastics/polyacrylonitrile (PAN), bioplastics
	#9 or #ABS	Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene	Monitor/TV cases, coffee makers, cell phones, most computer plastic, most FFF 3D printed parts that are not bioplastic such as PLA
	PA	Polyamide	Nylon
Batteries
	#8 Lead	Lead–acid battery	Car batteries
	#9 or #19 Alkaline	Alkaline battery
	#10 NiCD	Nickel–cadmium battery
	#11 NiMH	Nickel–metal hydride battery
	#12 Li	Lithium battery
	#13 SO(Z)	Silver-oxide battery
	#14 CZ	Zinc–carbon battery
Paper
	#20 PAP	Corrugated fiberboard
	#21 PAP	Non-corrugated fiberboard (paperboard)
	#22 PAP	Paper
Metals
	#40 FE	Steel
	#41 ALU	Aluminum
Biomatter/Organic material
	#50 FOR	Wood
	#51 FOR	Cork	Bottle stoppers, place mats, construction material
	#60 COT	Cotton
	#61 TEX	Jute
	#62-69 TEX	Other Textiles
Glass
	#70 GLS	Mixed Glass Container/Multi-Part Container
	#71 GLS	Clear Glass
	#72 GLS	Green Glass
	#73 GLS	Dark Sort Glass
	#74 GLS	Light Sort Glass
	#75 GLS	Light Leaded Glass	Televisions, high-end electronics display glass
	#76 GLS	Leaded Glass	Older televisions, ashtrays, older beverage holders
	#77 GLS	Copper Mixed/Copper Backed Glass	Electronics, LCD display heads, clocks, watches
	#78 GLS	Silver Mixed/Silver Backed Glass	Mirrors, formal table settings
	#79 GLS	Gold Mixed/Gold Backed Glass	Computer glass, formal table settings
Composites (80—99)
	#81 PapPet	Paper + plastic	Consumer packaging, pet food bags, cold store grocery bags, Icecream containers, cardboard cans, disposable plates
	#82	Paper and fibreboard/Aluminium
	#83	Paper and fibreboard/Tinplate
	#84 C/PAP (or PapAl)	Paper and cardboard/Plastic/Aluminium	Liquid storage containers, juice boxes, cardboard cans, cigarette pack liners, gum wrappers, cartage shells for blanks, fireworks coloring material, Tetra Brik.
	#85	Paper and fibreboard/plastic/aluminium/tinplate
	#87 Card-stock Laminate	Biodegradable plastic	Laminating material, special occasion cards, bookmarks, business cards, flyers/advertising
	#90	Plastics/Aluminium
	#91	Plastic/Tinplate
	#92	Plastic/Miscellaneous Metals
	#95	Glass/Plastic
	#96	Glass/Aluminium
	#97	Glass/Tinplate
	#98	Glass/Miscellaneous Metals

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling_codes)

Table of Resin Codes

The ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System is popularly known as RIC. This RIC is a set of symbols those speak about the ingredients of the plastic products. The Plastics Industry Association has developed the Resin Codes in 1988. ASTM International is an administration this from 2008.

Recycling number	Image	Alternate image #1	Alternate image #2	Abbreviation	Polymer name	Uses	Recycling
1				PETE or PET	Polyethylene terephthalate	Polyester fibers (Polar Fleece), thermoformed sheet, strapping, soft drink bottles, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling and (occasionally) new containers. (See also: Recycling of PET bottles)	Picked up through most curbside recycling programs.
2				HDPE or PE-HD	High-density polyethylene	Bottles, grocery bags, milk jugs, recycling bins, agricultural pipe, base cups, car stops, playground equipment, and plastic lumber	Picked up through most curbside recycling programs, although some allow only those containers with necks.
3				PVC or V	Polyvinyl chloride	Pipe, window profile, siding, fencing, flooring, shower curtains, lawn chairs, non-food bottles, and children’s toys.	Extensively recycled in Europe;481,000 tonnes in 2014 through Vinyl 2010 and VinylPlus initiatives.
4				LDPE or PE-LD	Low-density polyethylene	Plastic bags, six-pack rings, various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, and various molded laboratory equipment	LDPE is not often recycled through curbside programs, but some communities will accept it. Plastic shopping bags can be returned to many stores for recycling.
5				PP	Polypropylene	Auto parts, industrial fibres, food containers, and dishware	Number 5 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs.
6				PS	Polystyrene	Desk accessories, cafeteria trays, plastic utensils, toys, video cassettes and cases, clamshell containers, packaging peanuts, and insulation board and other expanded polystyrene products (e.g., Styrofoam)	Number 6 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs.
7				OTHER or O	Other plastics, such as acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, and polylactic acid (a bioplastic), and multilayer combinations of different plastics	Bottles, plastic lumber applications, headlight lenses, and safety shields/glasses.	Number 7 plastics have traditionally not been recycled, though some curbside programs now take them.

After 2013, ASTM revised the RIC symbols. Now they are identified as below:

Source

Let’s have a brief idea about these above Resin Codes:

#Number one:

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

This type of plastics is a very common form to be found in water and pop, soft drink bottles, peanut butter containers etc. These types of plastics are mostly used for the single-use purpose. PET plastic is recyclable but it is difficult to decontaminate.

#Number two:

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

HDPE plastic is used to produce jugs; oil, detergent, bleach, shampoo bottles; toys and some plastic bags for the stiffness and heat-resistance. This is recyclable and reusable.

#Number three:

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC is the soft and flexible type of plastic. Manufacturers use PVC to produce food wrapper, oil bottles, computer cables, pipes, plumbing parts, siding, windows etc.  PVC made products are not recyclable.

#Number four:

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)

Different wraps, clothing bags, squeezable bottles, bread bags etc. are made of LDPE plastics. LDPE plastic is less recyclable but always recyclable.

#Number five:

PP (Polypropylene)

You can see the presence of Polypropylene is disposable diapers, syrup and ketchup bottles, bottle caps, different containers, chips bags etc. PP is reusable but less recyclable.

#Number six:

PS (Polystyrene)

The use of Polystyrene is much significant for its affordability, lightweight nature, and the easy reformation. You can find PS in meat trays, cartons, aspirin bottles, CD cases etc.  Recycling of Polystyrene is less regular to happen.

#Number seven:

Other (BPA, Polycarbonate, and LEXAN)

The other types of plastics are used to make baby bottles, big water bottles, sunglasses, computer cases, sippy cups, car parts etc. These are not recommended for reuse.

Meaning of Recycling Symbol without Number:

There are also recycling symbols available those contain no number. These are not plastic. These are kind of descriptive text that illustrates the particular object.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has a different type of recycling symbol which is indifferent to the “recyclable” symbol for plastic resins. There are two different pairs of the number in this symbol. First one says the minimum percentage of a percentage of post-consumer recycled content (in this case 50%), and the second one tells total recycled content (in this case 80%).

Blue colored chasing arrows is also a newly appeared symbol. The Green Dot, RBRC etc. symbols also contain no number like the RIC symbols.

Recycling Rates

This below chart is for the recycling rates of different countries.

Country	Recycling and composting	Incineration with energy recovery	Incineration without energy recovery	Landfill
Australia	41	1	no data	58
Austria	58	35	0	4
Belgium	55	43	1	1
Canada	24	no data	4	72
Chile	1	0	0	99
Czech Republic	24	19	0	56
Denmark	44	54	0	2
Estonia	30	0	0	70
Finland	33	42	0	25
France	38	33	1	28
Germany	65	22	13	0
Greece	19	no data	no data	81
Hungary	26	9	no data	65
Iceland	45	5	1	49
Ireland	40	18	0	42
Israel	19	no data	no data	81
Italy	41	21	0	38
Japan	19	71	6	1
Korea	59	24	1	16
Luxembourg	48	35	no data	17
Mexico	5	no data	no data	95
Netherlands	50	48	1	1
New Zealand	no data	no data	no data	100
Norway	39	57	0	2
Poland	29	6	2	63
Portugal	26	24	0	50
Slovak Republic	11	11	0	71
Slovenia	58	1	0	36
Spain	30	10	0	60
Sweden	50	50	0	1
Switzerland	51	49	0	0
Turkey	1	no data	0	99
United Kingdom	43	21	0	34
United States	35	12	no data	54

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling_rates_by_country)

FAQ

Now, I am showing you some frequently asked questions about the recycling numbers:

Question: What Can Recycling Numbers Be Recycled?
Answer: 1, 2, 4.

Question: What Do Recycling Numbers mean?
Answer: Recycling numbers mean what is the ingredient and the recycling condition (possibility) of a particular product.

Question: Which Recycling Numbers Have BPA?
Answer: Number 07.

Question: Which Recycling Numbers or Codes Contain BPA?
Answer: Number 07.

Question: Which Recycling Numbers Are BPA Free?
Answer: 1, 2 and 4.

Question: Which Recycling Codes Are Most Environmentally Friendly?
Answer: 2, 4 and 5.

Question: Which Recycling Codes Are Safe?
Answer: 2, 4 and 5.

Question: Which Recycling Numbers Are Bad?
Answer: 6 and 7.

Question: Which Recycling Numbers Can Be Recycled?
Answer: 1, 2, 4.

Question: What Are Recycling Codes?
Answer: Recycling Codes is the identification of a material that is safe or unsafe, reusable or not, recyclable or not etc.

Question: What Recycling Number Is Styrofoam?
Answer: Number 6.

Final Thoughts

Recycling numbers are developed with a great motive. A user should know what material he or she is using for daily uses. These materials can be paper, glass, metal, plastics etc. Recycling Codes or numbers allow getting the idea of reuse and recycling. A person should know the proper concept of this certain topic. This can lead to a healthy environment and a healthy life.