What do numbers mean on bottles?

Easy Answer: The numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles let you know the type of plastic they're made of.

What do numbers on the bottom of bottles mean?

In most cases, one- or two-digit numbers are actually mold numbers that indicate the specific bottle mold or section in an automatic bottle machine. If numerous molds were identical, each one received its own number. Base numbers also indicate bottle styles or shapes, manufacturing dates, or factory location codes.

What does a 7 mean on a bottle?

#7 – Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN)

Number 7 plastics are used to make baby bottles, sippy cups, water cooler bottles and car parts. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on the bottom with the letters “PC” by the recycling label #7.

What does the number 3 mean on plastic bottles?

Plastic #3 – Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC/V)

PVC contains toxic chemicals including DEHP which is a type of phthalate that is used to soften plastic. Products made using PVC are generally not recyclable: only about 1% of all products end up being recycled.

What does the number 1 mean on plastic bottles?

1: PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate)

PET or PETE is what's used to make bottles for soda, water and other drinks. It's also used to make cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars and containers for other popular food items. PET/PETE products CAN be recycled.

What the numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles and containers mean

Is number 5 plastic toxic?

To summarize, plastics in categories #2, #4 and #5 are generally considered safe. Be weary of putting them in the microwave, even if they are labeled “microwave-safe”. Plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 should be used with varying to extreme caution, especially around food or drink.

Is Number 3 plastic safe?

Plastic 3 is not going to be among safe recycling codes. Known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), this is very dangerous and one of the least recyclable plastic. Still, plastic number 3 is as widely spread as PET plastic. PVC recycle number means that the item is strong and elastic due to softening chemicals, – phthalates.

Can number 5 plastic be reused?

If you find as #2, #4, or #5 plastic, those are fairly safe to reuse. These contain low levels of polyethylene thermoplastic, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

What are #1 through #7 plastics?

Can number 5 plastic be recycled?

5 – PP (Polypropylene) – Recyclable plastic (check Local Authority) PP can be recycled. However, you will need to check with your Local Authority to ensure it is recycled in your area.

What does 5 mean in a plastic bottle?

Number 5 is for PP (polypropylene). No. 5 plastics are often used for dishwasher safe cups and bowls, baby bottles, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs and diapers. More and more recycling centers are beginning to accept items made with No. 5 plastic.

What does number 2 plastic bottle mean?

Number 2 - HDPE - High-density Polyethylene: Containers for: laundry/dish detergent, milk, shampoo, conditioner, also various toys, and grocery bags. Number 3 - V - Poly(vinyl chloride): Pipes, shower curtains, clear medical tubing, vinyl dashboards and seat covers.

Which number plastic bottles are safe to reuse?

However, numbers 2 (high density polyethylene), 4 (low density polyethylene), and 5 (polypropylene) should be safe.

What does 7 mean on water bottles?

Plastic #7 is found in sunglasses, iPod cases, computer cases, nylon, 3- and 5-gallon water bottles, and bullet-proof materials. It is recycled into plastic lumber and other custom-made products.

How do I know if my old bottles are worth money?

The Age of the Bottle

While not all old bottles are valuable, an older bottle is more likely to be worth more than a newer one. Seams and pontil marks are two of the ways you can determine a bottle's age. The pontil mark is the mark at the bottom of the bottle where it was attached to the glass blower's pontil rod.

How can I identify an old glass bottle?

The embossed maker's mark or letters on the side of a bottle or on the base of a bottle will help to reveal a bottle's age. Marks or letters on collectible milk bottles and Coca Cola bottles are commonly indicators of age and origin.

Is BPA free 7 plastic safe?

Code 7 is the recycling code for plastics that contain BPA and must be avoided at all cost. Although codes 3 and 6 technically do not contain BPA, the chemicals that are used to manufacture these products also pose serious risks to our health.

Can you recycle No 7 plastic?

7 resin code is more of a miscellaneous category. Items in this category are all other products that don't fit into the main six types. For example, plastics in this category can be made up of any combination of 1-6 or another, less commonly used plastic. Other plastic products can sometimes be recycled.

Does #7 plastic get recycled?

Biodegradable Plastic Is Not Recyclable

Vegetable-based plastics such as PLA are often labeled #7, but they are not recyclable.

What does a triangle with a 5 in it mean?

Polypropylene (PP)

Getty Images. A 5 inside the triangle indicates the plastic is polypropylene or PP. It is commonly found in medicine bottles, straws, bottle caps, ketchup bottles and syrup bottles, and some yogurt containers.

Can #1 plastic be reused?

Health advocates advise against reusing bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE), including most disposable water, soda, and juice bottles. Such bottles may be safe for one-time use but reuse should be avoided.

Can you freeze number 5 plastic?

5. Do not freeze. Only put plastics in the freezer if they have a freezer-safe label. Freezer temperatures can cause plastics to deteriorate, which increases the leaching of chemicals into the food when you take containers out of the freezer to thaw or reheat.

What plastics should you avoid?

What is the safest plastic to drink from?

When you do use plastics, look for these resin codes which are considered safer: #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP. Examples of #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) include: bottled milk, water and juice, yogurt cups, and some plastic bags.

How long can you keep water in plastic bottles?

Since water is a naturally occurring substance it has an indefinite shelf life, however due to the fact that plastic water bottles leach chemicals into the water overtime we recommend a 2 year shelf life for still water.