Plastic is a material that we often encounter in everyday life. Plastics have been widely used to make products or goods that are useful for human life. Since the 20th century, the use of plastics has grown tremendously.
On the packaging made of plastic, usually found symbols or logos recycling triangular with specific codes. This code is issued by The Society of Plastic Industry in 1998 in the United States and adopted by the institutions of the system development code, such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization). In general, the plastic identification:
1. Being or situated at the bottom
2. Form a triangle
3. In the triangle are the numbers
4. As well as the name of a type of plastic at the bottom of the triangle
Recycling symbol (recycle) indicates the type of resin material used to make the material. This symbol is formed based on the international coding system Plastics and commonly described as a number (from 1 to 7) surrounded by triangles or regular triangular loop (also known as the Mobius loop), with the acronym of the materials used, right at the bottom of the triangle.
Here is a brief description of each of the 7 recycling symbol that is often used:
1. PET or PETE (Polyethylene Etilen Terephalate)
This sign is usually stamped recycling logo with the number 1 in the middle and writing PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) at the bottom of the triangle. Commonly used for plastic bottles, colored clear / transparent / translucent like mineral water bottles, juice bottles, food containers and almost all other beverage bottles. Bottles PET / PETE is recommended ONLY DISPOSABLE. If too often, let alone be used to store the hot water hot moreover, will result in a polymer coating on the bottle will melt and emit carcinogenic substances (can cause cancer) in the long run. This material can be remade into polar fleece, fiber, carpet, and others. The demand for this type of plastic in between communities plastics recycler relatively large, but the current recycling rate for this material remains low at 20%.
2. HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
At the bottom of plastic bottles, recycling logo stamped with the number 2 in the middle, and writing HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) at the bottom of the triangle. Commonly used for milk bottle white milk, tupperware, gallons of drinking water, folding chairs, and others. HDPE plastic bottle types have stronger material properties, hard, opaque and MORE DURABLE FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE. Is one of the plastic material that is safe to use because of its ability to prevent chemical reaction between the plastic packaging made from HDPE with food / drink dikemasnya. Just as PET, HDPE is also recommended for use ONLY DISPOSABLE release antimony trioxide compounds continue to increase over time. This type can also be used to return to the tile flooring material, drainage, new HDPE bottles, pipes, and others.
3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Written (sometimes red) with the number 3 in the middle, and writing V. V it means PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is the most difficult type of plastic is recycled. It can be found in plastic wrap (cling wrap), and bottles. The reaction that occurs between PVC with foods that are packed with plastic is potentially harmful to the kidneys, liver and body weight. This material contains chlorine and will remove toxins when burned. PVC NOT BE USED in preparing food or food packaging. This material can also be recycled into mudflaps, panels, mats, etc.
4. LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
Recycling logo with the number 4 in the middle, and writing LDPE. LDPE (low density polyethylene) plastic that type of chocolate (thermoplastic / made from petroleum), commonly used for food, plastic packaging, bottles of soft, clothing, furniture, etc. The mechanical properties of this type of LDPE is strong, transparent, flexible and somewhat greasy surface, at a temperature of 60 degrees is very resistant to chemical reactions, power protection against water vapor is quite good, can be recycled as well as good for items that require flexibility but strong. Goods made from LDPE is difficult to destroy, but still good for the food because it is difficult to react chemically with food that is packed with this material. LDPE, can be recycled in many ways, for example dissolved in cans, compost bins and landscaping tiles.
5. PP (polypropylene)
Recycling logo stamped with the number 5 in the middle, and writing PP. Is a common characteristic transparent bottles that are not clear or cloudy. Polypropylene is stronger and lighter with low vapor permeability, good resistance to fat, stable to high temperatures and quite shiny. Type PP (polypropylene) is a selection of the best plastic material, especially for food and beverages as a place to store food, drink bottles and foremost drink bottles for babies. Look for the code number 5 when buying goods made from plastic for storing a variety of food and beverage packaging. PP can be recycled into forks, brooms, trays, and others.
6. PS (Polystyrene)
Recycling logo stamped with the number 6 in the middle, and writing the PS. Commonly used as a place to eat Styrofoam, disposable drinking places, and others. Polystyrene is an aromatic polymer material that can emit styrene into food when food is in contact. In addition to the food, styrene can also be obtained from cigarette smoke, fumes and building construction materials. This material should be avoided, as DANGEROUS FOR BRAIN HEALTH, ANNOYING female hormone estrogen resulting in reproductive problems, and growth and nervous system, as well as the material is difficult to recycle. Even if recycled, this material requires a very long process and long. This material can be identified by a code number 6, but if not the numeric code printed on the plastic packaging, this material can be recognized by burning (last way and should be avoided). When burned, this material will be issued a yellow-orange flame, and leave soot. PS containing benzene, a cancer-causing substance and should not be burned. This material is recycled into insulation, packaging, plant beds, and others.
7. OTHER (Polycarbonate)
Recycling logo stamped with the number 7 in the center, and a note. For 7 Other types of plastic have 4 kinds, namely: SAN styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS, PC polycarbonate, and Nylon. Can be found in places such as food and drink sports drink bottles, auto parts, household appliances, computers, electronic equipment, and plastics packaging.
SAN and ABS has a high resistance to chemical reactions and temperature, strength, stiffness, and the level of violence has increased. Usually found in the mixer bowl, wrap flasks, plates, cutlery, coffee filters, and toothbrushes, while ABS is usually used as a lego toys and pipes. Is one of the plastic material is excellent for use in packaging food or drink.
Polycarbonate PC or name can be found in baby bottles, toddler cups (sippy cup), polycarbonate drinking bottles, and cans of food and beverage packaging, including infant formula cans.
PC can be put out of its main ingredient is bisphenol-A in food and beverages that may damage the hormone system, the chromosomes in the ovaries, decreased sperm production, and alter immune function. It is advisable not used for food or drink.
Ironically bottle is very likely to have the heating process, whether it be for the purpose of sterilization by boiling, heated by microwave, or pour boiling water or hot water.
Not all plastic number 7 is polycarbonate, even a handful of vegetable material. Palikarbonat still being debated in recent years, as found during a wash BPA (bisphenol A), a matter of hormonal pregnancy and fetal growth.
Plastics recycling symbol is basically designed to help staff at the recycling center, in order to separate the material to be processed properly. Basic knowledge of this symbol can also help us to determine whether the plastic stuff in the house safe for us and our children.
