Question by Fatefinger: What do the numbers inside the recycling symbols on plastics stand for?
I heard it has something to do with what it can hold. And not necessarily recycling.
Best answer:
Answer by †Christian† Servant of God
http://www.ec.gc.ca/EnviroZine/English/issues/26/any_questions_e.cfm
Scroll down a bit.I think thats what your looking for.
†Christian†
What do you think? Answer below!
The numbers designate the type of plastic the container is made of:
#1 is Polyethelene Terephthalate, or PETE,
#2 is High Density Polyethenene, or HDPE
and so on .
There are 2 types of symbols one is on plastics, it is a triangle with a number from 1-7 in it, that tells what type of plastic the item is made of. Certain plastics are not food safe, so maybe that is what is meant by what it can hold. The number allows recycling facilities to sort items properly.
The other number is the triangle inside a circle, that give recycled material content. If something is made of 85% recycled paper it will have this symbol on it.
Plastic is a general term for polymeric materials. When recycling it is important to recycle the same kind of material to gether.
The number inside the recycling symbols tells what plastic the container is made of.
During recycling all containers with the same number are put together to remelt or process.
The previous answerer has given the right explanation.
My answer for you is in the followings.
http://www.earthodyssey.com/symbols.html
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321