Manufacturers primarily identify the type of plastic resin used in products through the Resin Identification Code (RIC).
Identifying Plastic Resin with the RIC Code
The RIC code is a system widely used in consumer products. It helps manufacturers and recyclers identify the specific type of plastic resin a product is made from. This identification is crucial for sorting plastic waste for recycling and understanding material properties for manufacturing.
According to the provided reference, the RIC code is specifically used to identify the type of plastic resin used in consumer products.
Examples of RIC Codes
Different plastic resins have different properties and are used for various applications. The RIC system helps differentiate these types.
Here are examples mentioned in the reference:
- PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Commonly identified and used in items like water bottles and food packaging.
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Commonly identified and used in products such as milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles.
These codes, often found within a triangular chasing arrow symbol (though the symbol doesn't always mean the item is recyclable), provide a quick way for manufacturers to recognize the material properties and for recycling facilities to sort materials effectively. While other internal tracking methods may exist for manufacturing purposes, the RIC code is a standardized external identification method focused on the plastic resin type.
