The 6 Most Common Plastics & the Plastic Identification Code

Symbol

Type of Plastic

Properties

Common Uses

Recyled In
PET
Polyethylene Terephthalate		 Clear, tough solvent resistant, barrier to gas and moisture, softens at 80°C Soft drink and water bottles, salad domes, biscuit trays, salad dressing and peanut butter containers Pillow and sleeping bag filling, clothing, soft drink bottles carpet
PE-HD
High Density Polyethylene		 Hard to semi-flexible, resistant to chemicals and moisture, waxy surface, opaque, softens at 75°C, easily coloured, processed and formed Crinkly shopping bags, freezer bags, milk bottles, ice cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo, chemical and detergent bottles, buckets, rigid agricultural pipe, milk crates Recycling bins, compost bins, buckets, detergent containers, posts, fencing, pipes
PVC
Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride PVC-U

Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride PCV-P

Strong, tough, can be clear, can be solvent welded, softens at 80°C

Flexible, clear, elastic, can be solvent welded

Cosmetic containers, electrical conduit, plumbing pipes and fittings, blister packs, wall cladding, roof sheeting, bottles

garden hose, shoe soles, cable sheathing, blood bags and tubing, watch straps

 Flooring, film and sheets, cables, speed bumps, packaging, binders, mud flaps and mats
PE-LD
Low density Polyethylene		 Soft, flexible, waxy surface, translucent, softens at 70°C, scratches easily Plastic Food wrap, garbage bags, squeeze bottles, black irrigation tube, garbage bins Rubbish bin liners, pallet sheets
PP
Polypropylene		 Hard but still flexible, waxy surface, softens at 140°C, translucent, withstands solvents, versatile Dip bottles and ice cream tubs, potato chip bags, straws, microwave dishes, kettles, garden furniture, lunch boxes, blue packing tape Pegs, bins, pipes, pallet sheets, oil funnels, car battery cases, trays
PS
Polystyrene

PS-E
Expanded Polystyrene

Clear, glassy, rigid, brittle, opaque, semi-tough, softens at 95°C. Affected by fats and solvents

Foamed, lightweight, energy absorbing, heat insulating

CD cases, plastic cutlery, imitation 'crystal glassware', low cost brittle toys, video cases

Foamed polystyrene hot drink cups, hamburger takeaway clamshells, foamed meat trays, protective packaging for fragile items

 Coat hangers, coasters, white ware components, stationery trays and accessories
OTHER
Letters below indicate ISO code for plastic type
e.g SAN, ABS, PC, Nylon		 Includes all other resins and multi materials (e.g. laminates). Properties depend on plastic or combination of plastics Car parts, appliance parts, electronics, water cooler bottles, packaging Car parts, concrete aggregate, plastic timber

To download a graphic of a recycling code, right click on the symbol and select 'Save Picture As...'.