Types of Plastic in Recycling
Almost all plastics are recyclable. According to its specific chemical components or resin type, plastic can be classified into many types. Recyclers need to sort out the plastic types before recycling. To make recycling much easier, SPI has established and published a coding system of numeric resin identification in 1988. That is a triangle shaped by chasing arrows with a number 1-7 inside. You probably have seens this symbol at the bottom of the plastic containers. Each number inside the triangle represents a resin type which is used for the plastic product. Because of the different chemical component, the usage of the plastic products is also different.
Here are the 7 resin codes.
1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS)
7. Other
Type No. 1 PET/PETE is basically used for mineral water bottles and carbonated beverage bottles. Such containers’ heat-resisting is 70℃. If temperature higher than 70℃ and if using more than 10 months, it will release harmful substance which will badly affect human health.
Type No. 2 HDPE is basically made up to containers of detergent, shampoo, shower gel, and drug, which are non-transparent and feels like wax. It cannot be used for containing water.
Type No. 3 PVC is basically used for making products like water tube, raincoat, plastic film, building material and plastic case. Heat-resisting is 81℃, and not used for food or drink packaging.
Type No. 4 LDPE is widely used for making plastic bags and films. Preservative film cannot go into microwave oven as high temperature will cause the plastic being harmful to human health.
Type No. 5 PP is widely used for making water drum, waste bin, microwave boxes, and juice beverage bottle, etc. With melting point up to 167℃, it is the only plastic case which can go into microwave oven.
Type No. 6 PS is normally used for making toys, stationery, disposable tableware in fast-food restaurant, etc.
Type No.7 Other is basically referring plastic made up to kettle, PC cup, feeding bottle, and it needs to avoid exposure to direct sunlight and heat.
This coding system provides recyclers great convenience and efficiency during recycling process. They can sort them out simply by the numbers on the containers. Not all types of Plastic in Recycling is recycled often. Normally PET and HDPE are the most common ones. For the next step, you should consider investing in a baling machine to reduce the recyclable size as the plastic containers are hollow and occupying a lot of space. Compacting plastic containers prior to transportation can greatly save transportation cost. Otherwise, you are actually paying big cost for transporting air. SINOBALER long stroke vertical baler are perfect for pressing plastic containers. Contact us today at www.sinobaler.com to know more about SINOBALER baling machine and our sales representatives will assist you to choose a most suitable baler to fit your baling needs.
Quick links
Which Plastic can be Recycled?
Why Plastic can be Recycled / The Benefit of Plastic Recycling