Recycled Plastic Without Symbol

Did you know that the number on the bottom of a plastic product does not indicate whether the product can be recycled, rather it is telling the user what type of plastic the product is made with. Recycled Plastic also has its own terminology.

Plastic and numbers

Did you know that there are 7 different plastic types? They are all used to make different items in our surroundings. Let us break it down so you can gather a better understanding of what each one is and their purposes.

1. PETE: Polyethene Terephthalate 

The most common plastic used for consumer products. PETE is used for soft drink bottles, fruit juice containers, water bottles carry home containers.

• HDPE: High Density Polyethene

Our favourite, the plastic that Resourceful Living is currently based around. The most dense and recyclable plastic of all. You will find that all your shampoo and conditioner bottles, cleaning products bottles, laundry detergent bottles and even the plastic clips that are used of loafs of bread are all HDPE.

• PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride

It has been around the longest of all plastic, it is natural white and brital. Items such as trays for sweets and fruit, pipes and fittings, data wiring and waste systems all use PVC.

• LDPE: Low Density Polyethene

The opposite of HDPE, soft, lightweight, and flexible used in single use grocery bags, plastic film and wire insulation.

• PP: Polypropylene

A thermoplastic additional polymer usually found in yoghurt containers, luggage, furniture, and winter clothing insulation.

• PS: Polystyrene

Styrofoam used for a variety of things such as cups, plates, take out containers and supermarket meat trays.

• Other

Other plastic is anything that doesn’t fall into the above categories for example – acrylic, polycarbonate, polylactic fibres, nylon, fiberglass

How to know if it can be recycled?

Firstly look for the recycling logo and if you are unable to locate please check with your local council to find out what plastics they do take.

Recycled Plastic

Now that we are remanufacturing plastic you will start to see the letters R-PET or R-HDPE this means that the plastic is, for example, PET or HDPE and the R stands for RECYCLED. Therefore you know that the container you are holding is in fact a recycled plastic product.

Now you know the difference between the seven types, acknowledge what number of things in your own home are made of, you will generally find this on the bottom of the product. Help us educate others about the importance of plastic and what they are used for.