Recycling code

The recycling code is a two-digit number used to simplify the management of the various material flows during the recycling process. These numbers enable more efficient separation and recycling of the different materials. In the field of plastics, the numbers from 01 to 07 are assigned, with each number standing for a specific type of plastic.

01 – Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): PET is a widely used plastic, primarily used for the production of drinks bottles and packaging materials. It is known for its strength and lightness and is easy to recycle.
02 – High-density polyethylene (PE-HD): This plastic is often used for the production of bottles, pipes and containers. PE-HD is characterised by its high density and strength, which makes it ideal for more robust applications.
03 – Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC is a versatile plastic used in many products such as pipes, window frames and floor coverings. Due to its chemical composition, the recycling of PVC is somewhat more complex.
04 – Low-density polyethylene (PE-LD): This plastic is frequently used for the production of plastic bags, films and other flexible packaging. PE-LD is lighter and more flexible than PE-HD and is well suited to products that require flexibility.
05 – Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene is a versatile plastic found in a wide range of applications such as food packaging, car parts and textiles. PP is known for its chemical resistance and toughness and is frequently recycled.
06 – Polylactides (PLA): PLA is a biodegradable plastic produced from renewable raw materials such as corn starch. It is often used for packaging and single-use items. PLA differs from most other plastics through its ability to be composted under certain conditions.
07 – other plastics: This category covers a wide range of plastics that do not fit into the first six categories, including polyamide (nylon), polycarbonate, PMMA (acrylic) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). These plastics are used in a wide variety of products, from electronic housings to optical lenses and household appliances.

The recycling code therefore makes a significant contribution to correctly identifying the various plastics and optimising their recycling process.

Recycling code

01 – Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): PET is a widely used plastic, primarily used for the production of drinks bottles and packaging materials. It is known for its strength and lightness and is easy to recycle.
02 – High-density polyethylene (PE-HD): This plastic is often used for the production of bottles, pipes and containers. PE-HD is characterised by its high density and strength, which makes it ideal for more robust applications.
03 – Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC is a versatile plastic used in many products such as pipes, window frames and floor coverings. Due to its chemical composition, the recycling of PVC is somewhat more complex.
04 – Low-density polyethylene (PE-LD): This plastic is frequently used for the production of plastic bags, films and other flexible packaging. PE-LD is lighter and more flexible than PE-HD and is well suited to products that require flexibility.
05 – Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene is a versatile plastic found in a wide range of applications such as food packaging, car parts and textiles. PP is known for its chemical resistance and toughness and is frequently recycled.
06 – Polylactides (PLA): PLA is a biodegradable plastic produced from renewable raw materials such as corn starch. It is often used for packaging and single-use items. PLA differs from most other plastics through its ability to be composted under certain conditions.
07 – other plastics: This category covers a wide range of plastics that do not fit into the first six categories, including polyamide (nylon), polycarbonate, PMMA (acrylic) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). These plastics are used in a wide variety of products, from electronic housings to optical lenses and household appliances.

The recycling code therefore makes a significant contribution to correctly identifying the various plastics and optimising their recycling process.

Recycling code

Recycling code

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