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Types of Plastics
Types of Plastics
There are a variety of ways to classify plastics.Related Resources
• Introduction
• Plastics & Microwaves
• Production
• Recycling Process
• Recycling Rates
• Renewable Plastics
• Recycling CenterIn an attempt to bring order to plastics classification for recycling purposes, the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) devised some voluntary codes in 1988. They are commonly called SPI codes, and the numbers within the recycling arrows refer to different types of plastic resins.
There is no federal regulation governing the types of symbols you see stamped to plastic, so you can not be certain of consistency from state to state. However, it is generally safe to assume there is some consistency.
PET (polyethylene terephthalate): plastic soft drink and water bottles, beer bottles, mouthwash bottles, salad dressing containers, boil-in food pouches, processed meat packages
HDPE (high density polyethylene): milk bottles, detergent bottles, oil bottles, toys, plastic bags
PVC (polyvinyl chloride): food wrap, vegetable oil bottles, blister packaging
LDPE (low density polyethylene): bread bags, frozen food bags, squeezable bottles, fiber, tote bags, bottles, clothing, furniture, carpet, shrink-wrap, garment bags
PP (polypropylene): margarine and yogurt containers, caps for containers, wrapping to replace cellophane
PS (polystyrene): egg cartons, fast food trays, disposable plastic silverware
Other: This code indicates that the item is made with a resin other than the six listed above, or a combination of different resins.
