What Do All Those Plastic Resin Codes Mean塑料标识的意义.pdfVIP

What Do All Those Plastic Resin Codes Mean? Introduction The Presence of Plastics The Resin Codes Plastic Resins: One Through Seven Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE) High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC) Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Polypropylene (PP) Polystyrene (PS) Other Conclusion Introduction We receive many inquiries about recycling plastic. People become frustrated when they are told that not all plastic is readily recyclable. Some of the more ubiquitous plastic products are widely recycled, and there are many drop-off and curbside recycling opportunities for consumer and communities. Other types of plastic are not as easily recycled because they are not in as wide-spread use and there are few markets for the recycled resins. Frequently, exasperated inquirers will ask about the plastic resin codes that are stamped on the product. “Don’t these numbers mean that it can be recycled?” they ask. No, that is not the purpose of the codes. “But,” they reply, “the number is inside those chasing arrows and that means recycling.” Well, yes, they are - but the codes were never intended for consumers to use to judge what is recyclable and that is why most recycling organizations and businesses provide examples or lists of what plastic products are and are not acceptable for their systems. A good example of this is a container that has both a lid and a body. Although both the lid and the container may be manufactured from the same plastic resin, the two were created through different manufacturing processes. The processes give them different melting points. At the same temperature, one may melt to the consistency of tapioca or pudding, while the other is more liquid or viscous. For that reason, the recycler knows that the two are not compatible, and may ask you to recycle only the body and to throw the lid away in the trash. The Presence of Plastics Plastic is a particula