Look at any plastic item, and you will most likely
see 3 arrows circling a number, with letters underneath. Have you ever
wondered, or rather, been confused by what these symbols are? These are
resin identification codes.
This
code system was developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry to
identify the type of plastic from which the item was made, and to help
facilitate sorting for recycling. As these arrows are similar to the
mobius loop symbol for recycling, these resin
identification codes are commonly mistaken as the item being
recyclable. This is not the case. Not all plastics are recyclable; they are only recyclable
where facilities and markets exist as recycling facilities vary in the
types of plastics they accept.
As a
consumer, it can be confusing to know what is recyclable or not. You
will have to check with your own municipality's recycling program to
determine what is accepted for recycling. For example, the City of Toronto lists the types of plastic items they accept, rather than by the
resin identification code, to make recycling as easy and convenient as
possible.
For more information:
- Resin identification code
- Canadian Plastics Industry Association
- "In your blue box, not all plastics are created equal"
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