The communication and identification are laid out in International Universal Recycling Codes. These codes outline what material an item is made from, to facilitate easier reprocessing.
The following table outlines the International Universal Recycling Codes:
Symbol | Code | Description |
---|---|---|
Plastics | ||
#1 PET(E) | Polyethylene terephthalate | |
#2 PEHD or HDPE | High-density polyethylene | |
#3 PVC | Polyvinyl chloride | |
#4 PELD or LDPE | Low-density polyethylene | |
#5 PP | Polypropylene | |
#6 PS | Polystyrene | |
#7 O(ther) | All other plastics | |
#9 or #ABS | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene: Monitor/TV cases, coffee makers Cell Phones, most computer plastic | |
Batteries | ||
#8 Lead | Lead-acid battery | |
#9 or #19 Alkaline | Alkaline battery | |
#10 NiCD | Nickel-cadmium battery | |
#11 NiMH | Nickel metal hydride battery | |
#12 Li | Lithium battery | |
#13 SO(Z) | Silver-oxide battery | |
#14 CZ | Zinc-carbon battery | |
Paper | ||
#20 C PAP (PCB) | Cardboard | |
#21 PAP | Other (paper, mixed paper, magazines, mail) | |
#22 PAP | Paper | |
#23 PBD (PPB) | Paperboard: Greeting cards, frozen food boxes, book covers | |
Metals | ||
#40 FE | Steel | |
#41 ALU | Aluminium | |
Biomatter/Organic material | ||
#50 FOR | Wood | |
#51 FOR | Cork (bottle toppers, place mats, construction material) | |
#60 COT | Cotton | |
#61 TEX | Jute | |
#62-69 TEX | Other Textiles | |
Glass | ||
#70 GLS | Mixed Glass Container/Multi-Part Container | |
#71 GLS | Clear Glass | |
#72 GLS | Green Glass | |
#73 GLS | Dark Sort Glass | |
#74 GLS | Ligh Sort Glass | |
#75 GLS | Light Leaded Glass | |
#76 GLS | Leaded Glass | |
#77 GLS | Copper Mixed/Copper Backed Glass | |
#78 GLS | Silver Mixed/Silver Backed Glass | |
#79 GLS | Gold Mixed/Gold Backed Glass (Computer Glass) |