Understanding Plastic Recycling: Decoding SPI Codes on Your Bottles
Dive into the world of plastic materials with this insightful overview of SPI codes found on the bottom of plastic bottles. Each code, from #1 (PET) to #7 (Other), reveals the type of plastic, its applications, and how it can be recycled into new products. Learn about common plastics such as PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and more, along with their properties, packaging applications, and environmental impacts. Understanding these codes can help you make informed decisions about recycling and sustainability.
Understanding Plastic Recycling: Decoding SPI Codes on Your Bottles
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Presentation Transcript
What bottle blues? Deciphering those little triangles on your plastics.
SPI CODES • These are the numbers in the little triangles on the bottom of plastic bottles.
SPI CODES • The number tells us what materials are used to make the plastic.
The number will also determine the recycling process. • What happens to the plastic & what new product it may make.
#1 PET or PETE • Made from polyethylene terephthalate • Nickname: polyester
#1 PET or PETE • Clear, tough and moisture barrier properties • Frequently recycled
#1 PET or PETE • Packaging Applications • Soda bottles • Water bottles • Salad dressing • Detergent • Mouthwash • PB & Jelly • Salad dressing
Recycled Products • Pillow fill, tote bag, fleece, fiber, carpet, film, clothing, bottles, food & beverage containers, retail bags
#2 HDPE • Made from high density polyethylene • Good barrier & stiff • Package products with a short life span
#2 HDPE • Pigmented HDPE bottles have better stress crack resistance than nonpigmented bottles. • Frequently recycled
Packaging Application • Plastic milk bottles, nail polish remover bottle, Shampoo, grocery bags, cosmetics, yogurt container & margarine containers, retail bags
Recycled Products • Plastic crates • Picnic tables • New detergent bottles • Motor oil bottles
Pipe • Buckets • Flower pots • Recycling bins • Floor tiles • And more!!!!
#3 PVC • Made from Polyvinyl chloride • Versatile • Tough • Resistance to grease, oil & other chemicals
#3 PVC • When PVC is disposed of it may release dioxin & phthalates. • Dioxin is a know carcinogen. • Phthalates is a know endocrine disrupter.
Packaging applications • Take-out boxes • Shampoo • Shower curtains • Flooring • Faux-leather clothing • Cable insulation • Medical tubing
Recycled products • Drainage & irrigation pipes • Loose-leaf binders • Gutters • Mud flaps • Floor tile
Recycled products • Traffic cones • Garden hose • Decking • Paneling • And more!!!!
#4 LDPE • Made from low density polyethylene
Items made from LDPE • Grocery bags • Shrink wrap • Bread & produce bags • Newspaper • Dry-cleaning
#4 LDPE • New products made from LDPE • Trash can liners • Compost bins • New bags
#5 PP • Number 5 plastic is made from Polypropylene
Items that use PP: • Takeout containers • Medicine bottles • Baby bottles • Straws • Bottle caps • Yogurt containers
#5 PP • PP new life • Bike racks • Brooms • Ice scrapers • Plastic lumber
#6 PS • #6 plastic is made from polystyrene. • Suspected to release possible carcinogens & endocrine disrupters
Items contained in polystyrene are • Packing peanuts • Egg cartons • Picnic ware
#6 PS • New items made from #6 • Plastic lumber…again • CD cases
#7 Other • All of the rest of the plastic party! • Could possible leak Bisphenol A, which is an artificial estrogen that interfere with hormone function.
#7 Others • Possible items: • Squeezable ketchup bottles • Microwavable dishes • Oven bags • Corn-based plastics • Polycarbonate
