PITCH-IN
CANADA
Resource Centre
PITCH-IN
CANADA
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The Green Shopper Program
Industry Codes for
Recycling Plastic
Consumers are increasingly requesting information on the use and meaning of the plastic resin code symbols usually found moulded into the bottom of plastic containers or displayed on plastic shopping bags. The symbol consists of a version of the Mobius Loop (3 arrows in a triangular loop) in the centre of which is a number code from 1 to 7, accompanied with lettering associated with that code number below the loop.
The numbered symbols, from 1 to 7, identify the type of resin used. Confusion has been caused by the use of the Mobius Loop to encircle the resin code as some of these plastics are recyclable and others are not (A package or packaging material is considered to be "recyclable" if there is a widely available and economically viable collection, processing and marketing system for the product or material)
| Code 1 | PET (Polyethylene/Terephthalate) |
usually a clear plastic - includes soft drink and beverage bottles |
| Code 2 | HDPE High Density Polyethylene |
includes milk jugs, detergent, bleach, some water and vinegar containers and plastic bags |
| Code 3 | PVC Poly Vinyl Chloride |
includes some water containers, cooking oil, glass cleaner and liquid wax bottles (usually clear) |
| Code 4 | LDPE Low Density Polyethylene |
includes plastic bags, bread bags and food wrap |
| Code 5 | PP Polypropylene |
includes some yogurt and margarine containers, shampoo and syrup bottles |
| Code 6 | PS Polystyrene |
includes disposable hot and cold drink cups, plastic plates and utensils, fast food clamshells, egg cartons and meat trays |
| Code 7 | OTHER |
other resins, complex composites and laminates such as drink boxes and squeezable ketchup bottles |
Recyclability
Generally speaking, Code 1 and 2 products are recyclable (widely available/economically viable). Most communities that have established a recycling program accept both these coded plastics.
Plastic Shopping bag Recycling Program
Some food and other retailers provide plastic bag collection programs in their stores. These collected bags are then used in manufacture of new shopping bags, garbage bags, or other tertiary plastic products.
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