Recycling codes

Recycling codes are used to identify the material from which an item is made, to facilitate easier recycling or other reprocessing. Such symbols have been defined for batteries, biomatter/organic material, glass, metals, paper, and plastics.^{[citation needed]}

Symbol	Code	Description	Examples
Plastics (see resin identification code[1])
	#1 PET(E)	Polyethylene terephthalate	Polyester fibers, soft drink bottles
	#2 PEHD or HDPE	High-density polyethylene	Plastic bottles, plastic bags, trash cans, imitation wood
	#3 PVC	Polyvinyl chloride	Window frames, bottles for chemicals, flooring, plumbing pipes
	#4 PELD or LDPE	Low-density polyethylene	Plastic bags, buckets, soap dispenser bottles, plastic tubes
	#5 PP	Polypropylene	Bumpers, car interior trim, industrial fibers, carry-out beverage cups
	#6 PS	Polystyrene	Toys, flower pots, video cassettes, ashtrays, trunks, beverage/food coolers, beer cups, carry-out food containers, Styrofoam
	#7 O (OTHER)	All other plastics	Polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PLA), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylic plastics/polyacrylonitrile (PAN), bioplastics
	#9 or #ABS	Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene	Monitor/TV cases, coffee makers, cell phones, most computer plastic
Batteries (see also battery recycling)
	#8 Lead	Lead–acid battery	Car batteries
	#9 or #19 Alkaline	Alkaline battery
	#10 NiCD	Nickel–cadmium battery
	#11 NiMH	Nickel–metal hydride battery
	#12 Li	Lithium battery
	#13 SO(Z)	Silver-oxide battery
	#14 CZ	Zinc–carbon battery
Paper
	#20 C PAP (PCB)	Cardboard
	#21 PAP	Other paper	Mixed paper magazines, mail
	#22 PAP	Paper
	#23 PBD (PPB)	Paperboard	Greeting cards, frozen food boxes, book covers
Metals
	#40 FE	Steel
	#41 ALU	Aluminium
Biomatter/Organic material
	#50 FOR	Wood
	#51 FOR	Cork	Bottle stoppers, place mats, construction material
	#60 COT	Cotton
	#61 TEX	Jute
	#62-69 TEX	Other Textiles
Glass
	#70 GLS	Mixed Glass Container/Multi-Part Container
	#71 GLS	Clear Glass
	#72 GLS	Green Glass
	#73 GLS	Dark Sort Glass
	#74 GLS	Light Sort Glass
	#75 GLS	Light Leaded Glass	Televisions, high-end electronics display glass
	#76 GLS	Leaded Glass	Older televisions, ash trays, older beverage holders
	#77 GLS	Copper Mixed/Copper Backed Glass	Electronics, LCD Display heads, Clocks/Watches
	#78 GLS	Silver Mixed/Silver Backed Glass	Mirrors, formal table settings
	#79 GLS	Gold Mixed/Gold Backed Glass	Computer glass, formal table settings
Composites (80—99)
	#81 PapPet	Paper + plastic	consumer packaging, pet food bags, cold store grocery bags, Icecream containers, cardboard cans, disposable plates
	#84 C/PAP (or PapAl)	Paper and cardboard / Plastic / Aluminium	liquid storage containers, juice boxes, cardboard cans, Cigarette pack liners, gum wrappers, cartage shells for blanks, fireworks colouring material, Tetra Brik.
	#87 Card-stock Laminate	Biodegradable plastic	laminating material, special occasion cards, bookmarks, business cards, flyers/advertising

See also

• Resin identification code
• Japanese recycling symbols
• Waste hierarchy
• Waste management
• Food safe symbol
• Bag It (documentary)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Recycling symbols.

• Christie Engineering Standard – Packaging Labeling and Design for Environment Guidelines Includes lists of material codes in several countries.
• Packaging Ordinance Germany Includes lists of material codes in Germany.

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