The Ecoist – Lucky Resin Code Number 7
Posted by Eco-Products on Nov 7th 2012
What does the #7 recycling code on your products mean? What number is used for bioplastics like Ingeo™? The numbered codes you find on plastic containers identify the type of plastic resin that makes up your container. These are actually called Resin Identification Codes. They were not originally intended to be used to indicate recyclability – although today, they are the easiest way to see which type of plastic you have when you go to recycle. Most recycling facilities use resin identification codes to communicate to their communities which resins of plastic they want to collect. So today, many people think of them as “recycling” codes!
This coding system was developing in 1988 by the Society of Plastics when there were only six types of plastic materials that were used in plastic packaging. So, they were numbered 1-6. The #7 was added as “all other” to be used by new plastic materials types that were not in the marketplace in 1988 – or plastic types that are blends or composites. Unfortunately, the resin coding system has not been revised, despite the expanding varieties of plastic types out there. This means that any new technological advancements in plastics, using bio-based materials like plants are automatically coded as #7 until new rules are put in place.
The #7 resin code stands for a category of plastic resins that are not #1-#6. It is a catch all category for all other types of plastic and plastic composites. So keep in mind that all #7 containers are NOT created equal. Some are blends, some are new resins, some are composite plastics – the only thing they have in common is that they are different than #1-#6 plastics.
For biopolymers like Ingeo, they fall into the #7 category and so our products made from Ingeo carry the #7 resin code. However, Ingeo is unique in that it is compostable, so to help you out, we label our products with the BPI certification for compostability.
Learn More
US EPA Resource Conservation Page for Plastics
Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
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