The Plastic Identification Code - Plastics New Zealand

The Plastic Identification CodeBottoms up! Recycling plastic is easy at work and at home• Ring your local Council or Plastics New Zealandto find out what plastic is recycled in your area• Most City Councils recycle PET & HDPE plastic• We make recycling easy by coding your plastic•Check the bottom of bottles and containers forthe plastic identification code!• Rinse• Squash• Remove the cap•Put it in your recycling bin or drop off at yourlocal resource exchange centre.Did you know: Recyclers need more milk and softdrink bottles. Are you recycling these at home, atschool, and at work?An investment in your futurePlastics New Zealand Incorporated works to maximisethe growth and success of Plastics-based technologyin New Zealand in an economically, socially andenvironmentally responsible manner.Our members voluntarily label their plastic productsso they are easily identified for reuse and recycling.TonnesNZ Plastic Recycling 1997 - 200030000250002000015000100005000Plastics New Zealand introduced its plasticidentification coding system in the early 1990s. Agrowing number of New Zealand towns and citiesare implementing recycling schemes in an effort toreduce waste to landfills. Because these targetpackaging the coding system focuses on the six mostcommon plastics. Currently, over 60% of recoveredplastic comes from commercial sources.19971998 1999 2000YearAll plastics can technically be recycled but what isbeing recycled varies from area to area. This is usuallybecause of economic or volume constraints.Check with your local Council.I LASTICSN E W Z E A L A N DP O Box 76 378 Manukau CityPhone: 64 9 262 3773Fax: 64 9 262 3850Email: info@plastics.org.nzwww.plastics.org.nzNEW ZEALAND PLASTIC RECYCLING 2000PlasticTonnes1 PET 4772t2 HDPE 5736t3 PVC 2180t4 LDPE 5229t5 PP 574t6 PS 978t7 Industrial Film 340t8 Other 5893tTOTAL 26,702t

The Plastic Identification CodeSymbol Type of Plastic Properties Common Uses Recycled In1PETPETPolyethylene TerephthalateClear, tough, solvent resistant,barrier to gas and moisture,softens at 80°CSoft drink and water bottles,salad domes, biscuit trays, saladdressing and peanut buttercontainersPillow and sleepingbag filling, clothing,soft drinkbottles, carpet2PE-HDPE-HDHigh Density PolyethyleneHard to semi-flexible, resistantto chemicals and moisture,waxy surface, opaque, softensat 75°C, easily coloured,processed and formedCrinkly shopping bags, freezerbags, milk bottles, ice creamcontainers, juice bottles,shampoo, chemical anddetergent bottles, buckets, rigidagricultural pipe, milk cratesRecycling bins,compost bins,buckets, detergentcontainers, posts,fencing, pipes3PVCPVCUnplasticised PolyvinylChloride PVC-UPlasticised PolyvinylChloridePVC-PStrong, tough, can be clear, canbe solvent welded, softens at80°CFlexible, clear, elastic, can besolvent weldedCosmetic containers, electricalconduit, plumbing pipes andfittings, blister packs, wallcladding, roof sheeting, bottlesGarden hose, shoe soles, cablesheathing, blood bags andtubing, watch strapsFlooring, film andsheets, cables, speedbumps, packaging,binders, mud flapsand mats4PE-LDPE-LDLow density PolyethyleneSoft, flexible, waxy surface,translucent, softens at 70°C,scratches easilyGlad wrap, garbage bags,squeeze bottles, black irrigationtube, black mulch film, garbagebinsRubbish bin liners,pallet sheets5PPPPPolypropyleneHard but still flexible, waxysurface, softens at 140°C,translucent, withstandssolvents, versatileDip pottles and ice cream tubs,potato chip bags, straws,microwave dishes, kettles,garden furniture, lunch boxes,blue packing tapePegs, bins, pipes,pallet sheets, oilfunnels, car batterycases, trays6PS6PS-EPSPolystyrenePS-EExpanded PolystyreneClear, glassy, rigid, brittle,opaque, semi-tough, softensat 95°C. Affected by fats andsolventsFoamed, light weight, energyabsorbing, heat insulatingCD cases, plastic cutlery,imitation 'crystal glassware',low cost brittle toys, videocasesFoamed polystyrene hot drinkcups, hamburger take-awayclamshells, foamed meat trays,pro-tective packaging for fragileitemsCoat hangers,coasters, white warecomponents,stationery trays andaccessories7OTHEROTHERLetters below indicate ISOcode for plastic typee.g. SAN, ABS, PC, NylonIncludes all other resins andmulti materials (e.g. laminates)Properties dependent on plasticor combination of plasticsCar parts, appliance parts,computers, electronics, watercooler bottles, packagingCar parts, concreteaggregate, plastictimber