That small triangle with a number stamped into the bottom of a bottle, tub, or clamshell is one of the most misunderstood symbols in packaging. Most people read it as a recycling promise. It isn’t — and knowing the difference can save your business from a labeling headache and help your customers actually recycle correctly.
This guide breaks down what each of the seven resin identification codes (RICs) means, where that plastic actually ends up, and how the rules around the symbol are changing right now.
Quick Answer
The number inside the triangle (1 through 7) identifies which resin — the raw plastic material — an item is made from, so recyclers can sort it correctly. It is officially a Resin Identification Code (RIC) under the ASTM D7611 standard, not a guarantee that the item is recyclable in your area. Roughly speaking, #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) are the most widely accepted by curbside programs; #3 through #7 are accepted far less consistently and often need drop-off or specialty recycling.
The 7 Codes, One by One
#1 PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) — used for water and soda bottles, most food jars, and salad clamshells. It’s the most commonly recycled plastic in curbside programs and gets reprocessed into new bottles, polyester fiber for clothing and carpet, and fill for jackets.
#2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene) — milk jugs, detergent and shampoo bottles, and many rigid totes. It’s sturdy, resists chemicals, and is widely accepted curbside; recycled HDPE commonly becomes pipe, buckets, and lumber-style decking.
#3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride) — pipes, some cling wraps, blister packaging, and vinyl siding. It’s rarely accepted in curbside bins because it can contaminate other recycling streams (it releases chlorine compounds when melted with other plastics) and requires separate specialty processing.
#4 LDPE (low-density polyethylene) — squeezable bottles, bread bags, and most plastic shopping and produce bags. Curbside programs generally don’t want it loose because it jams sorting machinery; many grocery stores run dedicated film-and-bag drop-off bins instead.
#5 PP (polypropylene) — yogurt cups, medicine bottles, bottle caps, and microwavable containers. Acceptance has been expanding but is still inconsistent between municipalities, so it’s worth checking local rules before assuming it’s curbside-ready.
#6 PS (polystyrene) — foam cups, takeout containers, and rigid items like disposable cutlery and CD cases. Both foam and rigid forms are difficult and expensive to recycle profitably, so most curbside programs exclude it entirely.
#7 Other — a catch-all for everything that doesn’t fit codes 1-6, including polycarbonate, bioplastics like PLA, and multi-layer or multi-material items. Because “other” covers so many different materials, #7 items are the least likely to be recyclable through standard programs.
Why the Number Isn’t a Recycling Promise
The system dates to 1988, when the Society of the Plastics Industry created it purely to help sorters identify resin types at recycling facilities — not to tell consumers what’s recyclable. The ASTM D7611 standard, which now governs the code, states explicitly that resin identification codes ‘are not recycle codes’ and that their presence doesn’t mean recycling systems exist to actually process that item.
For years the code was displayed inside the familiar three-arrow “chasing arrows” loop, which most people read as a green recycling seal of approval. ASTM revised the standard in 2013 specifically to swap that symbol for a plain solid triangle, aiming to reduce confusion with the universal recycling logo — though many manufacturers still haven’t updated their molds, so both versions are still in circulation.
That confusion has now reached state legislatures. California’s SB 343 restricts use of the chasing-arrows symbol (and recyclability claims generally) on packaging unless the material is actually collected by programs covering most of the state’s population, reliably sorted, and has a real end market — rules that in practice knock out most #3-#7 plastics. Oregon went further and repealed its resin-code labeling law entirely through SB 582. Washington’s SB 5022 dropped the old requirement that the code sit inside the chasing-arrows triangle, but current law (RCW 70A.220.020) still requires plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers sold in the state to carry a plain numeric resin code. If you design or source packaging, treat any recyclability claim as something you now need to verify against destination-state law, not just habit.
Tips / Common Mistakes
Don’t assume the triangle means “recyclable” — always check your local municipality’s or hauler’s accepted-materials list, since rules vary block to block. Rinse and empty containers before recycling; food residue is one of the most common reasons a load gets rejected at the sorting facility. Never bag your recyclables in a plastic bag for curbside pickup — loose #4 film jams sorting equipment, which is exactly why grocery store drop-off bins exist for bags and wrap. If you’re specifying packaging for a product, favor #1 and #2 where the application allows it, since they have the most mature and consistent recycling infrastructure in North America. And if you’re making any recyclability claim on packaging sold into California, Oregon, Washington, or other states with truth-in-labeling recycling laws, confirm the current requirements before printing — labeling law in this area is moving quickly and varies by state.
Explore more: Explore more packaging materials guides.
Resin identification code FAQs
Does the number inside the triangle mean an item is recyclable?
No. It identifies the resin type for sorting purposes. Whether it’s actually recyclable depends on your local program’s equipment and end markets, which is why ASTM’s own standard states the codes are not recycle codes.
Which plastic numbers are easiest to recycle?
#1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) are accepted by the widest range of curbside programs and have the most established recycling markets. #3 through #7 are accepted far less consistently and often require drop-off or specialty recycling.
Why did the recycling symbol change from arrows to a solid triangle?
ASTM revised the D7611 standard in 2013 to replace the three chasing-arrows loop with a plain solid triangle, since consumers were mistaking the resin code for a recyclability guarantee. Many older products still use the original arrows version.
Is it true some states are banning the chasing arrows symbol?
California’s SB 343 restricts use of the chasing-arrows symbol and broader recyclability claims unless strict collection-and-processing conditions are met. Oregon repealed its resin-code labeling law entirely, while Washington only dropped the requirement that the code appear inside the chasing-arrows triangle — RCW 70A.220.020 still requires the plain numeric resin code on covered plastic bottles and rigid containers.
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Photo: Project Osprey / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.