plastic recycling codes 1-7

Plastic recycling codes 1 7

Considering 2019 Earth Day theme "Protect our Species", we should also give attention towards  the marine creatures. waste plastic is the reason for the disappearance of many species in the sea. We can not ignore this. Because sea creatures have great importance in our lives and plastic is one such substance that never fades. Plastics cause death of marine creatures.

Now we will talk about, what is plastic, how it works, how much plastic we use annually, how many plastic can be recycled, how much waste plastic is thrown into the Ocean And how much pollution is caused by plastic? ?

What is plastic ?

                          A synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers such as polyethylene, PVC, nylon, etc., that can be molded into shape while soft, and then set into a rigid or slightly elastic form.

My main motive to write this article is  to help  a common man to understand that which type of plastic is safe and recyclable .

So that everyone tries to reuse plastic  because it produces too much pollution.

How many types of plastic ?

There are seven types of plastic include:

Recycling codes for seven types of plastic 

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)
2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS)
7. Miscellaneous plastics (includes: polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass, and nylon)

How a common man understand types of plastic  ?

Before buying any plastic product please check recycling code of plastic .

1.Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)

   
Plastics with Code 1 is considered safe to recycle, but it can be recycled only once. 

This type of plastic is used in  --

60% of PETE used to make plastic water bottles 

1.  Water bottles.
2.  Bottles for Carbonated Drinks.
3.  Bottles for Coconut Oil.
4.  Jars for Peanut Butter.
5.  Mouthwash bottles etc.

Properties  of PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

This plastic is easy to recycle, lightweight and inexpensive .

PETE After recycle -

                          PET bottles are commonly picked through curbside recycling programs in most countries. These bottles can be recycled into new containers, straps, paneling, carpet, furniture, tote bags, fiber, and polar fleece.

As this type of  plastic is  only recycled once so it's main solution  is please  use less Polyethylene Terephthalate .Use only when  it is urgently needed.  

Also read:- ways to reduce plastic pollution

2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

    Plastics with Code 2 is also considered safest to recycle.

This type of plastic is used in-

1. Fuel tanks for vehicles
2.  Milk jugs 
3.  shampoo bottles, 
4. cereal box liners, 
5. butter and yogurt tubs,

yogurt container

6.  shopping and trash bags, 
7.  household and detergent cleaner bottles.
8. Light Weight Chain Guides
9. Water Storage Tanks etc... 

Properties of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

• Thick
• -Opaque
• -Thermoforming Type
• -Light-Weight
• -High Degree of Impact Resistance
• -Chemical & Corrosion Resistant
• -High Tensile Strength

HDPE After recycle -- 

       HDPE plastic is Recycled into Secondary Products such as  laundry detergent bottles, drainage pipes, pens, oil bottles, fencing, picnic tables, doghouses, benches, floor tiles etc.... 

3. Vinyl (V) or. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 

       Plastics with Code 3, cannot be recycled under standard recycling procedures  Contains Potentar cinogens, Hormone Disrupting Chemicals and may pose harm to health and the environment. These should beAvoided.

This type of plastic is used in-

PVC Pipes 

1. -Packaging Materials (Non Food)
2. Rigid Piping
3. Electrical Insulation
4. Vinyl Records
5. window cleaner and detergent bottles,
6.  piping, 
7. medical equipment, 
8. wire jacketing,
9.  cooking oil bottles,
10. shampoo bottles etc... 

Properties of PVC (Vinyl (V) or. Polyvinyl Chloride) -- 

•  Hard,
•  Opaque, 
•  Highly Versatile, 
•  High Mechanical Strength,
•  Easily Blendable in nature. 

     PVC is dangerous for health--
                                                    PVC  is responsible for different health issues as it contains phthalates. It also contains DEHA which can be a reason for liver problems and loss of bone mass. So please you should avoid it 

4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is considered as a safe form of plastic. It can be recycled but not  much. 


LDPE is used in following products -

bottles with recycle code 4

• shopping bags,
•  squeezable bottles, 
• carpet, furniture,
•  clothing,
•  tote bags,
•  dry cleaning bags,
•   frozen food 

Properties of LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)

•  Low-Density Polyethylene,
•  soft,
•  flexible,
•  Gas and moisture barrier 

LDPE after recycle

•   floor tile,
•  landscaping ties,
•  lumber
• , paneling, 
• shipping envelopes, 
• compost bins, 
•  trash can liners.  

5. Polypropylene (PP) 

 Polypropylene is also considered as a safe form of plastic.

PP (Polypropylene)  is used in --

• Bottle caps  
• microwave ware 
• TV Housing
• syrup bottles, 
•  yogurt containers

plastic bottle caps with recycle code 5 

Properties of PP (Polypropylene)

• Hard 
• flexible 
• Heat resistant 
• High mechanical strength 

After recycle--- 

pp is  converted into  bicycle racks, landscape borders, ice scrapers, auto battery cases, brushes, brooms, battery cables and signal lights.

Polypropylene  is often chosen for bottles and containers that must accept hot liquid as it has high melting point.  

6. Polystyrene (PS)

        
Polystyrene is not recycled  due to its low density  also contains Neurotoxins 

 PS is used in following products 

•  Compact disc cases,
•  Aspirin bottles, 
•  Carry-out containers, 
•  Egg containers
•  Disposable cups and plates

disposable cups and plates,with recycling code 6

Properties of polystyrene 

•     Rigid 
•     opaque

7. Others polycarbonate plastics 

   It is a mixed bag of different plastic items that include polycarbonate. It contains toxic BPA which is bisphenol-A. This kind of plastic is very harmful.

This type of plastic is used in 

•  Baby Milk bottles 
•  Sunglasses
•  iPod and computer cases,
•  DVDs

polycarbonate is used to make disc

These plastic cannot be heated.

Conclusion - 

                      it is always better to use less plastic and avoid as much as possible . because it impossible to stop using plastic completely .plastic recycling codes helping us to identify safer plastic .

Sources - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code

THANK YOU !!!