Learning what’s recyclable in plastics can be challenging. What’s the difference between grades such as HDPE, LDPE, PET and 3-7? That’s why we’ve created a guide to Common Plastic Grades with illustrations and detailed descriptions. And you may want to refer to these definitions to help you understand in what form you may find these plastics.
- Rigid Plastic Container: A plastic container which maintains its shape when empty and unsupported.
- Plastic Bottle: A plastic container that commonly holds liquids. Designed with a neck smaller than the body of the container.
- Plastic Film: A thin sheet that is flexible. It does not maintain its shape when unsupported.
- Recycled Plastic: Plastics made up of post consumer, recovered plastic, or a combination of the two.
- Recovered Plastic: Material recovered from the solid waste stream.
- Post Consumer: Plastics no longer usable by consumers or businesses that have intentionally been separated from the solid waste stream for the purpose of recycling.
#2 HDPE Natural 402
Resin Identification #2
Acceptable Materials
- All #2 Natural HDPE narrow neck bottles including
- Water
- Juice
- Milk
Prohibited Materials
- Cooking oil containers
- Pre-fillled bottles from dairy production
- Wide mouth containers
- All non-#2 Natural resin types
#2 HDPE Color 403
Resin Identification #2
Acceptable Materials
- All #2 Natural HDPE narrow neck bottles including
- Detergents
- Cleaners
- Juice
- Oil bottles
Prohibited Materials
- All non-#2 mixed colored HDPE narrow neck bottles
- Wide mouth containers
- All non-#2 Natural resin types
HDPE Injection Crates 437
Resin Identification #2 & #5
Warnings:
This material is often stolen from beverage manufacturers and distributors. If the originating source is not available, we must have the seller generate an affidavit indicating that they are the owner and that the material can be destroyed for recycling purposes.
Field Test Identification Characteristics
HDPE
Parafin, wax
Blue, yellow tip
Yes
Also, floats in water
Grade A Film 448
Resin Identification #4
Bales must be stored indoors to prevent moisture and UV damage. Store bales away from high dust areas or tarp bales to prevent contamination from paper dust.
Laminated (food bag) films are prohibited.
Grade B Film 449
Resin Identification #4
Laminated (food bag) films are prohibited.
Grade C Film 450
Resin Identification #4
Bales must be stored indoors to prevent moisture and UV damage. Store bales away from high dust areas or tarp bales to prevent contamination from paper dust.
Laminated (food bag) films are prohibited.
Grade D Film 451
Resin Identification #4, 2
Bales must be stored indoors to prevent moisture and UV damage. Store bales away from high dust areas or tarp bales to prevent contamination from paper dust.
Laminated (food bag) films are prohibited.
LDPE Tubes 454
No Foil, Resin Identification #4
Sources:
Packaging and product manufacturers. Many times this material is obsolete packaging or line breakage.
Warnings:
Only new and unused tubes are acceptable.
Foil gaskets on cap and tube are prohibited.
Bales must be stored indoors to prevent moisture and UV damage. Store away from high paper dust areas or tarp bales to prevent contamination from paper dust.
Field Test Identification Characteristics
HDPE
Parafin, wax
Blue, yellow tip
Yes
Also floats in water
Five Gallon Water Bottles 408
DVD w/ Metal and Acrylic 459
CRV #7 Other Bottles 486
Resin Identification #7
This plastic is generally a co-polymer (more than one resin type) with the majority resin type being polypropylene.
Acceptable Materials
- All #7 bottle material
Prohibited Materials
- All non-#7 bottle material
Super Sacks 462
Resin Identification #5
Sources:
Manufactures that extrude parts from virgin resin. Food manufactures that purchase ingredients in bulk.
Warnings:
Extremely important to insure that all residual product is emptied at generation point.
Acceptable Materials
- LDPE Liner
- OCC Header
Prohibited Materials
- Residual product
- Any other resin type beside PP
Strapping 464
Resin Identification #5
Field Test Procedure:
It is often difficult to tell the difference between PP and PET strapping. In order to determine resin type, cut into small pieces and place in cup of water. PET will sink and PP will float.
Diaper Cuts 472
Resin Identification #5, 4
Warnings:
This material cannot contain any SAP (super absorbent polymer).
Acceptable Materials
- Clear LDPE film
- OCC Header
Prohibited Materials
- Moisture
- Absorbent
- Resin types other than LDPE and PP
Bottles CRV 401
Resin Identification #5
Acceptable Materials
- All narrow neck PET beverage bottles with caps.
- Custom bottles such as catsup, salad dressing and household cleaners are acceptable.
Prohibited Materials
- PVC
- Metal
- Extensive residual product (liquids)
- Extensive residual product (liquids) Any type of film
- Dirt Rocks
Field Test Identification Characteristics
PET
Non-Descript
Yellow, blue edges
No
Sinks in water
Bottles Baled "B" Grade 421
Resin Identification #1
Acceptable Materials
- All narrow neck PET beverage bottles with caps.
- Custom bottles such as catsup, salad dressing and household cleaners are acceptable.
Prohibited Materials
- PVC
- Metal
- Extensive residual product (liquids)
- Extensive residual product (liquids) Any type of film
- Dirt Rocks
Field Test Identification Characteristics
PET
Non-Descript
Yellow, blue edges
No
Sinks in water
Strapping 415
Resin Identification #1
Acceptable Materials
- PET Strapping
Prohibited Materials
- PVC
- Moisture
- Cores
- Dirt, dust
Thermoform Packaging 422
Post Consumer, Resin Identification #1
Acceptable Materials
- HDPE containers
- LDPE containers
- PP containers
- Other colored plastic containers
- Aluminum/Metal
- Paper/cardboard
- Liquid residue
- Any form of PVC #3 including, cap liners, labels, tamper proof seals, or other PVC
Prohibited Materials
- Polystyrene #6 plastic - rigid or foam
- PETG, Polycarbonate
- PLA
- LDPE Film
- Wood
- Glass
- Motor or cooking oil
- Rocks, stones, dirt, mud
- Medical and hazardous waste
PET Release Film 432
Resin Identification #1
Acceptable Materials
- PET Film
- 2% sticky label
Prohibited Materials
- PVC
- Moisture
- Cores
- Dirt, Dust
Field Test Identification Characteristics
PET
Non-Descript
Yellow, blue edges
No
Sinks in water
PS Thermoform Packaging 2% label clear - 442
Expanded Polystyrene (MRF) Baled - 446
Expanded Polystyrene (Furniture) Densified - 445
CD Jewel case (no paper) - 485
Light Color PC-ABS 480
Resin Identification #9 or Other
Warning:
Be careful to check PC-ABS for the presence of other resin types that would make it a mixed package. Look for the presence of mineral fillers. When broken, the edge of the plastic will appear chalky. This is typically found in ink jet printer housings. Scratch material with knife to make sure it's not painted.
Acceptable Materials
- CRT - Computer Monitors
- Computer housings
- Car headlights
- Bullet proof glass
- Water coolers
- Metal (not more than 2%)
- Grey or dark ABS (not more than 1%)
Prohibited Materials
- Other Resin Types
- Painted ABS
- Mineral fillers
Black Color PC-ABS 417
Resin Identification #9 or Other
Warning:
Be careful to check PC-ABS for the presence of other resin types that would make it a mixed package. Look for the presence of mineral fillers. When broken, the edge of the plastic will appear chalky. This is typically found in ink jet printer housings. Scratch material with knife to make sure it's not painted.
Acceptable Materials
- CRT - Computer Monitors
- Computer housings
- Car headlights
- Bullet proof glass
- Water coolers
- Metal (not more than 2%)
- Grey or dark ABS (not more than 1%)
Prohibited Materials
- Other Resin Types
- Painted ABS
- Mineral fillers
Dark Color HIPS 481
Resin Identification #5
Warning:
Be careful to check HIPS for the presence of other resin types that would make it a mixed package. Look for the presence of mineral fillers. When broken, the edge of the plastic will appear chalky. This is typically found in ink jet printer housings. Scratch material with knife to make sure it's not painted.
Painted and filled HIPS should be graded as Printer Mix (Mixed HIPS/PC-ABS).
Acceptable Materials
- Dark or light HIPS parts from TV shell or other electronic device.
- Metal (not more than 2%)
- Painted HIPS (not more than 1%)
Prohibited Materials
- Other Resin Types
- Mineral fillers
ABS-HIPS Printer Mix 498
Resin Identification #6, #9, #7, #3
Warning:
Be careful to check material that is light colored and presented as PC-ABS for the presence of other resin types that would make it a mixed package. Look for the presence of mineral fillers. When broken, the edge of the plastic will appear chalky. This is typically found in ink jet printer housings. Scratch material with knife to make sure it's not painted.
Acceptable Materials
- Dark or light HIPS parts from printers or other electronic device
- Painted ABS or HIPS
- Metal (not more than 2%)
Prohibited Materials
- Other Resin Types
Grocery Pack Film 453
The higher the ratio of LLDPE shrink wrap the higher the value of the grade.
Acceptable Materials
- LLDPE (Stretch Film) Min. 25%
- HDPE Bags
- Water coolers
- Thermo film
- High cone (six pack rings)
Prohibited Materials
- Other Resin Types
- Painted ABS
- Mineral fillers
For more information regarding grade specifications,
please contact us at (626) 962-4047.