What's the meaning of the numbers 1 to 7 on recyclable plastics?

01-PET (polyethylene terephthalate)

PET is usually transparent. Most disposable beverages and food containers and bottles (for example: mineral water/purified water bottles, beverage bottles) are made of plastic 01 PET . Its heat resistance temperature is 70 ℃, it is easy to deform when filled with high-temperature liquid or heated, which will release harmful substances. Therefore, stay away from heat sources when using it.

02-HDPE (high density polyethylene)

High density polyethylene or HDPE are used to be made of most detergent, shower gel, milk bottle and toiletries containers. This plastic is usually not transparent or translucent. When touch it, it feels like wax.

03-PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

Polyvinyl chloridecan be used to make food packaging, edible oil bottles, shower curtains, air mattresses, plastic floor, building pipe, window frame, etc..

Most PVC needs to add plasticizer in the process of processing, and DOP (dioctyl phthalate) is the most popular plasticizer. Studies have shown that phthalate chemicals are precipitated, they will cause certain harm to human health and even cause cancer. Therefore, in the selection of products of this type of material, we need to pay attention to the type of plasticizer. Preferably, phthalate free products are friedly to human.

04-LDPE(Low Density Polyethylene)

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is often used to make cling film, other plastic films, plastic bags, etc.

The material will be melted when the temperature exceeds 110 ℃. If the food is wrapped with plastic wrap made of LDPE and then heated, the oil in the food is also easy to remove toxic substances in the plastic wrap. Therefore, food with plastic wrap cannot be directly heated in the microwave oven.

05-PP (polypropylene)

Polypropylene (PP) commononyogurt cup, medicinebottleand ketchup bottles, kitchenware and "microwave safe" plastic containers.

Polypropylene's heat resistance is up to 130 ℃, it's melting point is high to 167 ℃. Therefore it is considered to be used microwave furnace heated, but the transparency is poor.

06-PS (polystyrene)

Polystyrene or polystyrene foam, most disposable containers, disposable white foam snack box, toys, stationery, bowl noodles box, etcare all made of it.

It can be used to fill warm drink, no hot food. It can't be used to contain strong acids (such as orange juice) and alkaline substances, especially can't be put into microwave ovens.

07- OTHER

This category essentially means "everything else" and consists of any new plastic, including bioplastics, and may also consist of different types of plastic.

Polycarbonate (PC) belong to this category, its products include babies bottle, space cup, sports equipment, medical and dental equipment, CD and DVD, as well as some computer and other technical departments. It's controversial due to it contains bisphenol A (BPA). It's heat resistance temperature up to 130 ℃, it shows high transparency,  but it's easy to be crack and contains BPA.

Another products, Tritan made by Eastman, the chemical is PCTG, it belong to this category too. Compared with PC, it's plasticizer free, BPA free and withe better transparency, toughness. Now, it's more and more popular to be used in new high-end products. However, its temperature resistance is poor, with the highest heat resistance temperature is 109 ℃.