Symbols for Plastics
Submitted by Alchemist on Wed, 29/08/2007 - 19:09.
This is a list of internationally used symbols to be found on different types of plastics, to help you dispose of or recycle them correctly.
| CODE | SYMBOL | CHEMICAL NAME | DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLES / NOTES |
| PET |  |
Polyethylene terephthalate | Usually clear or green, sinks in water, rigid |
vegetable oil bottles, carbonated drink bottles, detergents and cleaners, oven ready meal trays. Also known as PETE. |
| HDPE |  |
High density polyethylene | Semi rigid, sinks in water |
Water bottles, bleach and washing up liquid bottles, milk bottles, household cleaners, butter tubs. HDPE bottles have a line running round, where the 2 halves are moulded together. |
| PVC |  |
Polyvinyl Chloride | Semi rigid, glossy, sinks in water |
Detergent / cleanser bottles, pipes, food trays, shampoo bottles, food trays |
| LDPE |  |
Low density polyethylene | Flexible, not crinkly | 6 pack rings, bread bags, sandwich bags, carrier bags, bin liners, flexible film packaging |
| PP |  |
Polypropylene | Semi rigid, low gloss | Margarine tubs, straws, screw on lids, microwave meal trays, caps, discs, youghurt tubs, film packaging |
| PS |  |
Polystyrene | Often brittle, glossy, usually white |
Styrofoam, foam cups, packaging chips and shaped protective packaging, yoghurt pots, plastic cutlery , meat and other food trays, egg cartons |
| Other plastics |
 |
Polycarbonate, epoxy resin, acrylic, ABS, mixed / multi layer plastic | Anything else, for example melamine plastic plates |
