Plastic Resin Codes

[ Recycle Definition ]

Resin Code

Definition

Use

 % of plastic 1

PETE (or PET) = polyethylene terephthalate

Soda and water bottles, medicine containers

 0.5%

HDPE = high density polyethylene

Milk and water bottles, laundry detergent bottles, toys

 21%

V = vinyl/polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Pipe, meat wrap, cooking oil bottles

 6.5%

LDPE - low density polyethylene

Wrapping films, grocery bags

 27%

PP = polypropylene

Syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, diapers

 16%

PS = polystyrene

Coffee cups, "clamshells"

 16%

OTHER = ?

 

 8.5%

Only 0.9 million tons of plastics, or 4.7%, were recycled in the U.S. in 1994.1 Products made from recovered plastic bottles include drainage pipes, toys, carpet, filler for pillows and sleeping bags, and cassette casings. The useful life of plastic is extremely limited, after which it must be landfilled.

1EPA Plastic Facts http://www.epa.gov/seahome/housewaste/src/plastic.htm 

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