Understanding Recycling Numbers for Plastics and FTC Recycling Guidelines: A Complete Guide

In an era where environmental sustainability is increasingly important, recycling plays a critical role in reducing waste and conserving resources. However, not all plastics are created equal, and understanding the recycling numbers can help consumers make informed decisions about how to properly recycle different types of plastics. Moreover, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Recycling Guidelines ensure that businesses and manufacturers provide accurate information about the recyclability of their products.

In this article, we will explain the meaning behind recycling numbers for plastics, explore the FTC Recycling Guidelines, and provide practical tips on how to recycle effectively.

What Are Recycling Numbers for Plastics?

Recycling numbers, also known as resin identification codes (RICs), are numbers that indicate the type of plastic material used in a product or packaging. These codes help recycling facilities identify and sort plastics for proper recycling. Each number, ranging from 1 to 7, corresponds to a different type of plastic with specific properties and recyclability.

Here’s a breakdown of the common recycling numbers and the types of plastics they represent:

1. Plastic #1: PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

• Common Uses: Soda bottles, water bottles, food containers, and packaging.
• Recyclability: Widely recycled and accepted by most curbside recycling programs. PET is typically recycled into products like polyester fiber, fleece clothing, and carpeting.

2. Plastic #2: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

• Common Uses: Milk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, and plastic bags.
• Recyclability: HDPE is highly recyclable and is commonly turned into items like plastic lumber, piping, and new bottles.

3. Plastic #3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

• Common Uses: Pipes, vinyl siding, plastic films, and shower curtains.
• Recyclability: PVC is less commonly recycled due to its complex chemical makeup, and improper disposal can release harmful chemicals. It is best to minimize the use of PVC products.

4. Plastic #4: LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)

• Common Uses: Plastic bags, squeezable bottles, bread bags, and some packaging films.
• Recyclability: LDPE is more difficult to recycle, though some grocery stores accept plastic bags for recycling. Recycled LDPE can be used for plastic lumber, floor tiles, and garbage can liners.

5. Plastic #5: PP (Polypropylene)

• Common Uses: Yogurt containers, straws, bottle caps, and food storage containers.
• Recyclability: Polypropylene is increasingly being accepted by recycling programs and can be repurposed into items like signal lights, battery cables, and storage containers.

6. Plastic #6: PS (Polystyrene)

• Common Uses: Styrofoam cups, food trays, egg cartons, and disposable cutlery.
• Recyclability: Polystyrene is not commonly recycled due to its lightweight and bulky nature. It’s better to avoid using polystyrene products when possible.

7. Plastic #7: Other (Miscellaneous Plastics)

• Common Uses: Water cooler bottles, sunglasses, DVDs, and multi-layer packaging.
• Recyclability: Plastic #7 is a catch-all category for various plastics, including bioplastics and polycarbonate. Its recyclability varies depending on the specific material.

Why Understanding Recycling Numbers Is Important

Properly identifying and sorting plastics based on their recycling number is crucial for several reasons:

1. Improves Recycling Efficiency: Sorting plastics correctly ensures that recyclable materials are processed correctly and turned into new products, reducing waste in landfills.
2. Reduces Contamination: Putting non-recyclable plastics into the wrong bin can contaminate entire batches of recyclables, leading to increased costs for recycling facilities and ultimately sending more waste to landfills.
3. Supports Environmental Sustainability: Recycling helps conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions by lowering the demand for new plastic production.
4. Encourages Informed Consumer Choices: Understanding the different types of plastics can help consumers make more sustainable choices by opting for products that are easier to recycle or have a lower environmental impact.

FTC Recycling Guidelines: Ensuring Transparency in Recycling Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Recycling Guidelines—also known as the Green Guides—provide essential guidance to businesses on how to make environmental claims, including claims about recyclability. These guidelines aim to prevent deceptive practices and ensure that consumers have accurate information about the environmental impact of the products they purchase.

Key Components of the FTC Recycling Guidelines

1. Recyclability Claims
   • Products labeled as “recyclable” must be recyclable in a significant portion of the communities where the product is sold. If only part of the product is recyclable, businesses must clearly indicate which components are recyclable.
2. Qualifications for Claims
   • The FTC requires companies to qualify their claims if the product is only recyclable in certain facilities or if only specific parts of the product can be recycled. Labels should provide clear instructions on how to recycle the item.
3. Substantiation of Claims
   • Companies making recyclability claims must have evidence to support those claims. For example, if a company claims that a plastic bottle is recyclable, it must ensure that adequate recycling programs exist to process that type of plastic in the regions where the product is sold.
4. No Misleading Claims
   • Labels that claim a product is “environmentally friendly” or “eco-friendly” without specific information can be considered misleading. The FTC discourages broad, unqualified claims and promotes transparency in all environmental statements.

Why FTC Recycling Guidelines Matter

The FTC Recycling Guidelines are essential for ensuring that consumers receive accurate, reliable information about the recyclability of the products they buy. These guidelines protect consumers from misleading or deceptive greenwashing claims and help promote more informed purchasing decisions.

Tips for Proper Plastic Recycling

With so many different types of plastics, it can be challenging to know the best way to recycle. Here are some tips for improving your recycling efforts:

1. Check Local Recycling Programs
   • Not all plastics are accepted by every recycling facility. Check with your local municipality or recycling center to understand which types of plastics they accept.
2. Rinse Containers
   • Before recycling, make sure to rinse out any food or liquid residue from containers to prevent contamination.
3. Avoid Recycling Plastic Bags with Other Plastics
   • Plastic bags (LDPE) can clog recycling machines. Take plastic bags to a designated recycling drop-off point, often found at grocery stores.
4. Reduce Plastic Use
   • Whenever possible, opt for reusable alternatives, such as cloth bags, metal water bottles, and glass containers. Reducing plastic use is just as important as recycling.
5. Check Labels for Recyclability
   • Look for products with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 or Cradle to Cradle certification, which ensures that products are made with safe, recyclable materials.

Conclusion

Understanding recycling numbers for plastics and following the FTC Recycling Guidelines is essential for both consumers and businesses committed to environmental sustainability. By properly sorting and recycling plastic materials, consumers can reduce waste and support the circular economy. For businesses, adhering to the FTC’s guidelines ensures that recyclability claims are truthful and transparent, fostering trust with eco-conscious consumers.

As awareness about the impact of plastics on the environment grows, adopting sustainable recycling practices will be vital in creating a greener, cleaner future for all.

Need testing for recycled products or other plastics testing?

We can help! Visit our website to submit a request, or call us 1-855-377-6821 for assistance with your plastic or recylables testing! Some of the test requests we have helped other organizations find laboratories for include:

• Materials laboratory needed for classification testing of recycled in order to determine who can buy it from us.
• physical laboratory needed for plastic cable testing such as Load rating for pedestrian and vehicle (H-20, 40) for cable made of recycled plastic.
• Large corporation needs microbiology laboratory to determine presence/absence of blood-borne pathogens on recycled paper towels
• Manufacturer a counter top material with recycled window glass and an epoxy resin binder needs physical laboratory for testing such as: NSF / ANSI / ASTM Physical Properties Testing Food Safety:NSF/ANSI 51 compressive strength, tested to ASTM C39 Absorption, tested to ASTM c-97-02 Sctratch Resistance/Mohs Hardness Modulus of Rupture, tested to ASTM c-99 Radon Emissions, compared to EPA-402-r-92-004 PH Miscibility(in water) Density Bending Stress Coefficient of thermal expansion Autoignition Temperature Fire point
• Laboratory needed for anion testing for determination of anions in recycled NMP, N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone,
• and many more!

To learn more about how we can help with your plastics testing, click here.