Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 12.5
Resins used in food packaging with recycling codes and main products made from virgin and
recycled materials.
Recycling code
Resin
Products made with
virgin material
Products made with
recycled content
Polyethylene
terephthalate
Bottles for soft drinks,
water, beer, sport drinks,
jars, microwaveable food
trays
Fiber for carpet, fleece for
jackets and comforters,
strapping, containers for
food and nonfood items
1
PETE
High-density
polyethylene
Milk, water, juice, sham-
poo, and detergent bottles;
grocery bags
Bottles for nonfood items
such as shampoo and
cleaning supplies; plastic
lumber; pipe, floor tiles;
buckets, crates, recycling
bins, and other containers
2
HDPE
Polyvinyl chloride
Rigid packaging including
blisters and clamshells,
shrink wrap, deli and meat
wrap
Pipe, decking, fencing,
paneling, gutters, carpet
backing, garden hoses,
electrical boxes
3
V
Low-density
polyethylene
Bags for bread, frozen
foods, fresh produce,
household garbage, shrink
wrap, stretch film, container
lids, coatings for milk
cartons and beverage
containers
Shipping envelopes, floor
tiles, paneling, furniture,
compost bins, trash cans,
landscape timber, and
outdoor lumber
4
LDPE
Polypropylene
Containers for yogurt,
margarine, takeout meals,
deli foods, bottle caps and
closures, bottles for catsup
and syrup
Automobile parts; garden
equipment, shipping
pallets
5
PP
Polystyrene
Cups, plates, bowls, cutlery
for food service, clamshells,
meat and poultry trays,
yogurt-type containers
Thermal insulation, light
switch plates, desk trays,
video cassette casings,
eggshell cartons, plastic
molding
6
PS
Any other plastics
Large reusable water
bottles, citrus juice, catsup
bottles, oven baking bags
Bottles and plastic lumber
7
OTHER
From American Chemistry Council (ACC), 2007.
Without discouraging the practice, the Food and Drug Administration (2006) has issued
some guidelines on the use of recycled plastics in new food-contact containers. In addition, the
FDA requires those interested in using recycled plastics, in new food-contact containers, to
submit proposals that will be considered on a case-by-case basis (FDA, 2009). The proposals
should contain:
A description of the recycling process including the source of plastics, the steps to ensure
only food grade plastics will be incorporated, and steps to prevent contamination of the
recycled material.
●
Results of tests proving that the recycling process eliminates potential contaminants.
●
The conditions of use of the new containers including type of food, temperature, and sin-
gle or multiple use (FDA, 2006, 2009).
●
