Plastic Resins Identification Codes (1-7)

The Plastic Resins Identification Codes (1-7) are a system used to classify plastics based on their chemical structure. This helps in recycling and identifying the materials for proper disposal. Here are the codes and their corresponding plastics:

Polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE, represents the most widely used thermoplastic polymer resin within the polyester family.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)

  • Common Uses: Beverage bottles, food containers, and packaging.
  • Properties: Strong, lightweight, and recyclable. Often used for single-use items.
  • Recycling: Widely recycled; typically made into t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, fleece jackets, insulation for jackets and jackets, and sweaters.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a strong, durable plastic known for its high strength-to-density ratio. It's widely used in making plastic bottles, pipes, and plastic lumber due to its resistance to impact and high temperatures.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

  • Common Uses: Milk jugs, detergent bottles, and water pipes.
  • Properties: Stiff, durable, and resistant to impact and chemicals.
  • Recycling: Easily recycled; often used for products like recycling bins, new bottles, and pipes.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used synthetic plastic polymer. It's known for its durability, chemical resistance, and versatility. PVC is commonly found in construction materials like pipes and window frames, as well as in medical devices, clothing, and more.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

  • Common Uses: Pipes, flooring, plumbing, and clear food packaging.
  • Properties: Can be made flexible or rigid. Resistant to water and chemicals but can release harmful chlorine when burned.
  • Recycling: Limited recycling options; often downcycled into products like tiles, flooring, and new pipes.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a flexible, lightweight plastic commonly used in packaging materials like plastic bags, containers, and films. It's known for its low strength, high ductility, and resistance to moisture and chemicals.

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

  • Common Uses: Grocery bags, bread bags, some food wraps, and toys.
  • Properties: Flexible, easy to form, and has low-density molecular structure.
  • Recycling: Less commonly recycled; used for items like floor tiles, trash can liners, and industrial bags.
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer known for its strength, resistance to chemicals, and elasticity. It's widely used in various applications such as packaging, textiles, automotive parts, and reusable containers. PP is also appreciated for its versatility and ability to be recycled.

Polypropylene (PP)

  • Common Uses: Yogurt containers, straws, bottle caps, and food containers.
  • Properties: Tough, resistant to heat, and has a high melting point.
  • Recycling: Can be recycled, although it’s less common; typically used for products like brooms, brushes, and recycling bins.
Polystyrene (PS) is a versatile plastic used in items like packaging and cutlery, while Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), also known as Styrofoam, is a light, insulating foam commonly used for packaging and insulation. Both are known for their moldability and insulation properties.

Polystyrene (PS)

  • Common Uses: Disposable cutlery, CD cases, plastic cups, and packaging foam (Styrofoam).
  • Properties: Rigid, can be clear or foam. It’s a low-cost option but can break easily.
  • Recycling: Not commonly recycled; can be downcycled into products like insulation, and it’s often not accepted in curbside recycling bins.
7 - Asiapack

Other (Miscellaneous)

  • Common Uses: Multi-layered plastics, acrylic, polycarbonate, and some bioplastics.
  • Properties: This category includes a range of materials with various properties, often used for optical discs, sunglasses, and certain plastic bottles.
  • Recycling: Difficult to recycle; includes plastics like polycarbonate and those made from more than one resin type.

Greenpeace Pyramid

Each of these codes helps consumers, waste management systems, and recyclers identify plastic types for proper recycling or disposal.

Greenpeace pyramid - Asiapack

Plastic is a wonderful material (light, durable and transparent) but also as a source of great environmental stress - in its petroleum-based extraction and its ecological persistence.

Nevertheless recent developments have significantly improved the re-use of higher percentages of recycled plastics, thus encouraging the reclamation of existing waste plastic. Biopolymers should slowly replace the use of plastics, but this cannot happen overnight. As a manufacturer and direct consumer of plastic materials, Asiapack is aware of this critical environmental challenge. That's why we do our best to provide eco-friendly packaging solutions and design ideas to our customers. When plastic is necessary, we minimise its use as much as we can.

Together let us empower each other to promote sustainable thinking with confidence and efficiency.