Plastic Numbers
Learn what recycling numbers 1 through 7 on plastic items mean for safety and recyclability. Includes food safety ratings and real-world examples for each type.
Key features
- Full explanation of plastic types #1 through #7
- Clear safety ratings for food and drink containers
- Detailed recyclability info for each material type
- Real-world examples of where you\
Guide
Every plastic container, bottle, and package you encounter has a small number inside a triangular arrow symbol (technically called a resin identification code, not a recycling symbol). These numbers, ranging from 1 to 7, identify the type of plastic resin used to make the item. Each resin has different properties for safety, recyclability, heat resistance, and chemical leaching. Understanding these numbers helps you make informed decisions about food storage, recycling, and your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. The resin identification code system was introduced in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) to help recycling facilities sort plastics efficiently. The triangular arrow shape misleads many people into thinking every numbered plastic is recyclable. In practice, only codes 1 and 2 are widely recycled. Others depend on your local recycling infrastructure. The ASTM International standard D7611 now governs the system and specifies that the triangle should not be called a recycling symbol. Some jurisdictions (including California since 2024) have moved to a simple number without arrows to reduce confusion. ## Number 1: PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate) PET is the clear, lightweight plastic used for water bottles, soda bottles, salad dressing containers, peanut butter jars, and many food packaging trays. It is also used for polyester clothing fibers and packaging film. PET is the most recycled plastic in the world. Recycling facilities in nearly every developed country accept PET. Safety: PET is generally considered safe for single use. It does not contain BPA or phthalates. However, repeated use and exposure to heat cause PET to leach antimony trioxide, a catalyst used in manufacturing, and acetaldehyde, a byproduct of polymer degradation. Studies published in Environmental Science and Technology show that antimony leaching increases significantly when PET bottles are stored at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius. Leaving water bottles in a hot car is a common scenario where this occurs. At 80 degrees Celsius, antimony leaching can reach levels that approach regulatory limits. UV exposure from sunlight also accelerates degradation. Recyclability: PET is highly recyclable and maintains good material properties through multiple recycling cycles, though quality degrades slightly with each cycle. Recycled PET (rPET) becomes new bottles, polyester fiber for clothing and carpets, strapping material, and food-grade packaging (when processed through an FDA-approved or EFSA-approved decontamination process). Bottle-to-bottle recycling is the highest-value application. Each ton of recycled PET saves approximately 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space and reduces energy consumption by 60 to 75 percent compared to virgin PET production. The global PET recycling rate is approximately 50 percent, with Europe leading at about 58 percent and the US lagging at around 29 percent. Best practice: Use PET containers once, recycle them, and avoid heating food or beverages in PET containers. Do not refill PET water bottles repeatedly. ## Number 2: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) HDPE is the opaque, sturdy plastic used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, motor oil containers, toys, and some grocery bags. It has a higher density and crystallinity than other polyethylenes, giving it superior strength, stiffness, and chemical resistance. HDPE has a melting point around 130 degrees Celsius. Safety: HDPE is considered one of the safest plastics for food contact. It does not contain BPA, phthalates, or other known hormone-disrupting chemicals. It resists leaching even at elevated temperatures and when exposed to acidic or fatty foods. HDPE is approved for food contact in all major regulatory jurisdictions (FDA, EFSA, FSANZ). Many reusable water bottles, cutting boards, and food storage containers are made from HDPE for this reason. Recyclability: HDPE is the second most recycled plastic globally. It is accepted by virtually all curbside recycling programs in both bottle and rigid container forms. Recycled HDPE becomes plastic lumber, drainage pipe, flower pots, recycling bins, playground equipment, and non-food bottles. The recycling process for HDPE is straightforward: shredding, washing, melting, and pelletizing. Color-sorted HDPE (natural/white) commands a higher price than mixed colors because it can be re-colored for a wider range of products. Best practice: HDPE containers are safe for reuse with food and beverages. They can withstand dishwasher temperatures. Recycle them when done. ## Number 3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) PVC is found in cling wrap (some brands, though most have switched to LDPE), blister packaging, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, window frames, plumbing pipes, and medical tubing. PVC is the most environmentally controversial plastic due to its chlorine content and reliance on plasticizer additives. Safety: PVC itself is a rigid, brittle material. To make it flexible (for cling wrap, shower curtains, and tubing), manufacturers add plasticizers, most commonly phthalates. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that interfere with hormone function, particularly testosterone and thyroid hormones. DEHP, the most common PVC plasticizer, is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the IARC. DEHP has been restricted in children's products in the EU since 2005 and in the US since 2008. PVC also contains chlorine (57% by weight), and burning or heating PVC releases hydrogen chloride gas and dioxins, both of which are toxic. Even the manufacturing and disposal of PVC produces dioxins. Recyclability: PVC is rarely recycled through municipal programs. It contaminates PET recycling streams because the two can look similar but have incompatible melting points and chemical compositions. A small amount of PVC in a PET recycling batch ruins the entire batch by producing hydrochloric acid during processing. Specialized PVC recyclers exist (mainly for construction PVC like pipes and window frames) but are uncommon. Most flexible PVC ends up in landfills or incinerators. Best practice: Avoid PVC for food contact. Do not microwave food in PVC cling wrap. Choose PVC-free alternatives when available (LDPE or silicone wraps). Do not place PVC in general recycling bins unless your local program specifically accepts it. When buying new shower curtains, choose EVA or PEVA instead of PVC. ## Number 4: LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) LDPE is the soft, flexible plastic used for squeeze bottles, bread bags, frozen food bags, clothing dry-cleaning bags, and most modern cling wraps. It is softer and more flexible than HDPE because its polymer chains are more branched and less crystalline. LDPE has a melting point around 110 degrees Celsius. Safety: LDPE is considered safe for food contact. Like HDPE, it does not contain BPA or phthalates. It is chemically inert and does not leach harmful substances under normal use conditions, including freezer temperatures. LDPE food storage bags and wraps are a safe choice for refrigerator and freezer storage. LDPE is also used for the inner lining of paper milk cartons and juice boxes. Recyclability: LDPE is technically recyclable but not widely accepted in curbside programs because its thin, flexible form jams sorting equipment (screens, disc separators, and optical sorters) at recycling facilities. LDPE films wrap around rotating parts and cause costly shutdowns. Many grocery stores and retail chains have drop-off bins for LDPE bags and film (including bread bags, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags, and bubble wrap). This collection method works because it keeps film separate from rigid containers. Recycled LDPE becomes trash can liners, floor tiles, furniture, shipping envelopes, and composite lumber. Best practice: Safe for food use. Return bags and films to store drop-off points rather than placing them in curbside recycling bins. Reuse bags when possible before recycling. ## Number 5: PP (Polypropylene) PP is the plastic used for yogurt cups, margarine tubs, bottle caps, medicine bottles, straws, hot food containers, and microwave-safe packaging. PP has the highest heat resistance of the common food-contact plastics, with a melting point around 160 degrees Celsius, and is the only type generally considered microwave safe. PP is also used in automotive parts, textiles (reusable shopping bags), and medical devices. Safety: PP is considered one of the safest plastics for food and beverage contact. It does not leach chemicals at temperatures encountered in normal food use, including microwave reheating, hot dishwasher cycles, and hot beverage containers. PP is BPA-free and phthalate-free. When a food container is labeled "microwave safe," it is almost always made from PP. The material's high melting point and chemical stability make it the preferred choice for hot-fill applications (food packed at temperatures above 85 degrees Celsius). Recyclability: PP recycling has improved significantly in recent years as sorting technology has advanced. Many curbside programs now accept PP, though acceptance varies by region. The challenge with PP recycling has been that older optical sorters could not reliably distinguish PP from other opaque plastics. Newer near-infrared (NIR) sorters identify PP accurately. Check with your local program. Recycled PP becomes automotive parts, garden rakes, storage bins, battery cases, and fiber for clothing and carpet backing. Best practice: PP is the best choice for reusable food containers, microwave use, and hot beverage cups. Recycle where accepted. Replace PP containers when they become stained, warped, or scratched. ## Number 6: PS (Polystyrene) PS comes in two forms: solid (general purpose) polystyrene and expanded polystyrene (EPS). Solid PS is used for disposable cutlery, CD cases, some food containers, and yogurt cups in some countries. Expanded polystyrene, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam (which technically refers only to Dow's blue extruded polystyrene insulation board), is used for takeout containers, disposable coffee cups, egg cartons, packaging peanuts, and building insulation. Both forms carry the number 6. Safety: PS raises health concerns because styrene, the monomer used to make it, is classified as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) and as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B) by the IARC. Styrene leaches from PS containers into food, with leaching rates increasing with temperature, fat content of the food, acidity, and alcohol content. Pouring hot coffee into a Styrofoam cup or microwaving food in a PS container increases styrene migration significantly. A 2019 study in Food Additives and Contaminants found that styrene migration from PS cups into hot beverages exceeded safe daily intake limits for regular consumption. Recyclability: PS is technically recyclable but almost never recycled in practice due to economic and logistical barriers. Expanded PS is 95% air by volume, making it extremely expensive to collect and transport relative to its material value. It breaks into small beads and fragments that contaminate waterways, beaches, and marine environments. PS foam is one of the most common items found in ocean debris surveys. Many cities and countries have banned expanded PS food containers (including New York City, San Francisco, and the entire EU for single-use food containers as of 2021). Solid PS has slightly better recycling prospects but is still rarely accepted in municipal programs. Best practice: Avoid PS for hot food and beverages. Do not microwave food in PS containers. Choose paper, PP, or reusable alternatives. If you must use expanded PS packaging for shipping, check for mail-back or drop-off recycling programs. ## Number 7: Other Code 7 is a catch-all for any plastic that does not fit into categories 1 through 6. This includes polycarbonate (PC), polylactic acid (PLA, a plant-based bioplastic), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), nylon (polyamide), acrylic (PMMA), melamine, and many multi-layer, coextruded, or blended plastics. Because this category contains so many different materials, generalizations about safety and recyclability are not possible without knowing the specific resin. Safety: The safety of code 7 plastics depends entirely on which specific resin is used. Polycarbonate was historically the biggest concern because it contains BPA (bisphenol A), a synthetic estrogen that interferes with the endocrine system. BPA exposure has been linked to reproductive disorders, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity in epidemiological studies. BPA has been banned from baby bottles and sippy cups in the US, EU, Canada, Australia, and many other countries. Many manufacturers have switched to BPA-free alternatives (Tritan copolyester is the most common), but some replacements (BPS, BPF, BPAF) show similar or sometimes greater hormonal activity in cell and animal studies. PLA (polylactic acid), also coded as 7, is made from fermented plant starch (usually corn, sugarcane, or cassava). It does not contain BPA, phthalates, or other concerning chemicals. PLA products often have an additional "PLA" or compostable label to distinguish them from other code 7 plastics. PLA looks and feels like PET but has a lower heat tolerance (it deforms above 55 to 60 degrees Celsius). Recyclability: Code 7 plastics are generally not recyclable through municipal programs because the category contains too many different resins that cannot be processed together. Mixing polycarbonate with PLA with nylon with ABS produces a worthless blend that no manufacturer can use. PLA is industrially compostable (requiring sustained temperatures above 58 degrees Celsius and specific moisture conditions for 60 to 90 days) but is not home compostable in most climates and is not recyclable with conventional plastics. In fact, PLA contaminates PET recycling streams just as PVC does. Best practice: Avoid code 7 polycarbonate for food contact unless labeled BPA-free. Look for PLA labeling on bioplastic products and dispose of them in industrial composting bins where available. Do not place code 7 items in recycling bins unless your local program specifically accepts them. When buying reusable food containers or water bottles, choose code 2 (HDPE), code 5 (PP), or BPA-free Tritan. ## The Bigger Picture The resin identification code system helps with sorting, but it does not guarantee recyclability. Your local recycling program determines what is actually recyclable in your area. Contact your municipal waste management provider or check their website for accepted materials. The "wishful recycling" habit of placing non-accepted items in recycling bins (called contamination) increases processing costs and can cause entire truckloads to be diverted to landfill. To reduce plastic exposure in daily life: do not heat food in any plastic container (use glass or ceramic in the microwave), do not put plastic containers in the dishwasher unless labeled dishwasher safe (heat and detergent accelerate degradation and leaching), replace scratched or cloudy containers (surface degradation increases leaching by exposing more polymer surface area), and store fatty and acidic foods (cheese, tomato sauce, vinegar-based dressings) in glass rather than plastic because these foods accelerate chemical migration from plastic. For babies and children, who are more vulnerable to chemical exposure due to their smaller body weight and developing organ systems, use glass bottles with silicone sleeves, stainless steel containers, or PP and HDPE products that are certified BPA-free. This tool provides an interactive reference for all seven plastic resin codes with safety ratings, recyclability information, common products for each type, and practical recommendations for everyday use.
Frequently asked questions
Which numbers are safest for food?
Numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 are your best friends for food! I'll tell you which ones to avoid.
Can I recycle all of them?
It depends on your local rules, but I'll give you the general guide on what's usually accepted.
