Plastic Identification Code

Seven groups of plastic polymers, each with specific properties, are used worldwide for packaging applications. Each group of plastic can be identified by its Plastic Identification Code ( PIC ). The PIC appears inside a 3-chasing-arrow recycling symbol.

The PIC was introduced by the Society of the Plastic Industry, Inc. which provides a uniform system for the identification of different polymer types and helps recycling companies to separate different plastics for reprocessing




Polyethylene Terephthalate – PET, PETE

Melting Point : 260 °C

Physical Properties : Clarity, strength, toughness, barrier to gas and moisture.

Common Packaging Application : Soft drink/water/salad dressing bottles, peanut butter/, jam jars, etc

High Density Polyethylene - HDPE

Melting Point : 110-120°C

Physical Properties : Stiffness, strength, toughness, resistance to moisture, permeability to gas.

Common Packaging Applications : water pipes, hula-hoop rigns, milk/juice/water bottles, , shapoo/toiletry bottles, etc

Polyvinyl Chloride – PVC

Melting Point : 100-260°C

Physical Properties : versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness

Common Packaging Application : juice bottles, cling films, PVC piping, etc




Low Density Polyethylene – LDPE

Melting Point : 80-95°C

Physical Properties : ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, barrier to moisture

Common Packaging Application : frozen food bags, squeezable bottles, cling films, flexible container lids, etc

Polypropylene – PP

Melting Point : 130-171°C

Physical Properties : strength, toughness, resistance to heat/chemicals/greese/oil, versatile, barrier to moisture

Common Packaging Application : microwaveable wares, kitchenware, yogurt containers, margarine tubs, microwaveable disposable take-away containers, disposable cups, plates, LEGOS, etc.

Polystyrene – PS

Melting Point : 240°C

Physical Properties : versatility, clarity, easily formed

Common Packaging Application : egg cartons, foam peanuts, disposable cups/plates, trays, cutlery, disposable take-away container, etc

Other ( often Polycarbonate -ABS )

Melting Point : 267°C

Physical Properties – dependent on polymers or combination of polymers

Common Packaging Application : beverage bottles, baby milk bottles, electronic casings, etc