When you buy a product packaged in a plastic bottle, it usually has a number engraved on the bottom and sometimes some letters. This has the purpose of differentiating the material with which it was manufactured and knowing whether or not it is a recyclable material. The numbers were created by the Plastics Industry Society to facilitate the identification and separation of containers in the year 1988.
Next, we will describe what each number refers to:
1 PET. It refers to polyethylene terephthalate that is used mainly for the production of containers for water, games, and carbonated drinks. It is a light and highly resistant plastic, so it is very common to find it.
2. HDPE. High-density polyethylene is a partially crystalline, higher-density polymer that is much more resistant than PET, which is why it is aimed at the chemical, agrochemical, or cleaning industries, although it can also be found in containers for dairy drinks and other foods.
3. PVC. Polyvinyl chloride is a very versatile plastic that can be rigid or flexible depending on its intended use. It can be used in the manufacture of containers for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or home care industries.
4. LDPE. Low-density polyethylene is mostly used for plastic wrap such as supermarket bags, however, it is also possible to find it in cosmetic or pharmaceutical containers due to its biological and chemical resistance.
5. P.P. Polypropylene is a semi-rigid polymer, lids and containers are usually made for the food industry, it is resistant to corrosion and heat, making it ideal for protecting food and its use in the microwave.
6. PS. Polystyrene is known as Styrofoam and its use is focused on the food industry.
7. Others. All containers that do not fall into the previous classifications or that contain various types of plastic as raw material can enter this category.
Of what use is this numbering?
It helps both recycling centers and consumers so that little by little they learn to identify the type of plastic they are using and can more easily separate their waste to reuse or recycle to reduce emissions into the environment.
If you know a recycling center, we invite you to learn to identify the types of plastic with which you have contact, wash, remove the label, and the lid and deposit the plastic bottles in the corresponding containers for their correct use.
Maxipet, in commitment to recycling
At Maxipet we currently have a recycling campaign for all our customers in which we reward the return of bottles and containers for recycling. We believe in the construction of new forms of consumption to contribute to the improvement of the environment.
