7 Types of Recyclable Plastic Chart: Your Eco Guide

Plastics are common in many things, like food packaging, building materials, car parts, and electronics. They are light, strong, and cheap, which makes them important for many businesses. But, because of worries about the environment and rules about being sustainable, it’s important to know about different kinds of plastic and how to handle them well.

The 7 types of recyclable plastic chart is useful here. By reading the resin identification system (RIC), businesses can make good choices about materials, recycle better, and reduce plastic trash. Comsyn is a leader in providing strong plastic choices for businesses with good materials that help performance and sustainability.

Why Different Types of Plastics Matter?

Not all plastics are the same. Each kind has different things it can do, like being flexible, strong, able to stand heat, or not be damaged by chemicals. This is why they are used for some things, how long they last, how much they cost, and how they affect the environment.

For example, HDPE is strong and doesn’t get damaged by chemicals easily. This makes it great for pond liners and strong containers. PET, on the other hand, is clear and light, so it’s good for water bottles and food packaging. Knowing these differences makes sure the right material is used for the right thing. This reduces problems with products and helps the environment.

The codes in the 7 types of recyclable plastic chart give a quick way to know about plastic types. This makes it easier for manufacturers, stores, and people to find and pick materials.

Overview of the Seven Plastic Types

Here’s a quick overview of the 7 plastic types, with their properties and common uses:

• PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Clear and light, used for drink bottles and food containers because it’s strong and can be recycled.

• HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Strong and resistant to chemicals, good for containers, pipes, and pond liners.

• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Strong and able to be used in different ways, used in building for pipes, windows, and flooring. Hard to recycle.

• LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Flexible and soft, used in bags, wrapping, and squeeze bottles.

• PP (Polypropylene): Light and heat-resistant, used in food containers, medical items, and car parts.

• PS (Polystyrene): Can be hard or like foam (Styrofoam). Used in disposable silverware, cups, and insulation.

• Other Plastics: Includes polycarbonate, acrylic, nylon, and bioplastics. Used in glasses, DVDs, and medical tools.

Plastics Identification and Recycling Chart

The 7 types of recyclable plastic chart makes choices easier by matching each plastic with a resin code. This helps businesses and people know the plastic types and if they can be recycled:

Resin Code	Plastic Type	Identification Method	Common Uses	Recyclability
#1	PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)	Recycling symbol with “1” or “PET”	Water bottles, food trays	Widely recyclable
#2	HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)	“2” or “HDPE” in triangle	Pipes, milk jugs, pond liners	Widely recyclable
#3	PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	“3” or “PVC” in triangle	Pipes, window frames, cables	Limited recycling
#4	LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)	“4” or “LDPE” symbol	Grocery bags, shrink wrap	Recyclable in specific programs
#5	PP (Polypropylene)	“5” or “PP”	Yogurt tubs, bottle caps, straws	Increasingly recyclable
#6	PS (Polystyrene)	“6” or “PS”	Disposable plates, take-out containers	Limited recycling
#7	Other (e.g., Polycarbonate, ABS)	“7” or “Other”	Eyewear lenses, baby bottles, electronics	Rarely recyclable

This code 7 types of recyclable plastic chart empowers businesses to choose responsibly—aligning material selection with recyclability and performance.

Applications and Performance of Plastics

Each plastic type works for different businesses and reasons. Picking the right one makes things last longer, reduces trash, and makes products work better.

Packaging

PET and PP are good for food safety, being light, and resisting damage. This makes them right for food packaging, containers, and drink bottles. PP can also handle high heat, so it’s good for microwave containers and medical uses.

Construction

HDPE is used for pipes, pond liners, and geomembranes because it’s strong and resists UV rays and chemicals. PVC is used in building, but HDPE is starting to replace it as a better choice because PVC is hard to recycle.

Things People Buy

LDPE is used for shopping bags because it’s flexible. PS is cheap and light, and used in single-use packaging. It should be avoided for recycling issues. Knowing when and how to use these plastics makes production cost-effective and good for the environment.

Why Choose Comsyn for Plastic Solutions?

Comsyn makes high-performance plastic products for industry, farming, and infrastructure. Whether you need HDPE pond liners, PET for packaging, or PP that resists damage, Comsyn provides:

• Good, sustainable, plastic materials that meet global rules
• Choices based on use, climate, and load needs
• Help with planning to use
• Focus on recycling and reducing trash

Comsyn helps you read the 7 types of recyclable plastic chart and plan products with the right plastic, making them a partner for materials.

Conclusion

As businesses work to be more sustainable, knowing about plastics is important. The 7 types of recyclable plastic chart is a way to make good choices, produce in a good way, and handle trash well.

From PET in packaging to HDPE in infrastructure, each plastic has its use. Choosing well helps performance and matches your business with current environmental needs.

Comsyn helps you make these good choices, giving reliable and responsible plastic options for all business needs.

FAQs

1. How can I ensure the plastic I choose is suitable for my specific industry application?

Start with the 7 types of recyclable plastic chart, which shows what each plastic does and if it can be recycled. Then ask Comsyn, who can help match materials to what you need.

2. What is #1 recyclable plastic?

Plastic #1 is PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), used in drink bottles and packaging. It is widely recycled.

3. Is number 7 plastic safe?

Plastic #7 is a mix that includes BPA materials like polycarbonate. Some #7 plastics are safe, but others can release bad chemicals. Always check labels and pick BPA-free choices when needed.

4. Why are plastics 3 and 7 not recyclable?

PVC (#3) has things added that make recycling hard and possibly bad. Plastic #7 has mixed materials that are hard to sort and process. This means there are not many recycling services, making them less good for the environment than PET or HDPE.