Know Your Plastics: Understand the 7 RIC

All plastics come from resin, but they’re far from equal. Your guide is the small number stamped on the product.

Dear Reader, in my last article, I mentioned the seven Resin Identification Codes—the small but significant numbers printed on most plastic products. Today, let us decode this simple yet powerful system that quietly governs nearly every plastic item we use, guiding how it should be handled, reused, or recycled. Understanding these codes is the first step towards making informed and responsible choices in our daily lives.

We already know that the plastic products we use every day are made from a wide range of chemical compositions. Because of this diversity, it becomes essential to understand how these items should be disposed of at the end of their useful life—especially if we want to minimise harm to the environment.

To address this need for clarity, the Society of Plastics Industry introduced a coding system in 1988 known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC). This system was created to identify the specific type of chemical each plastic product is made from, helping consumers and waste managers handle plastics more responsibly. The coding method was later standardised by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), ensuring uniformity in how plastics are labelled across industries.

Under this system, plastics are assigned numbers from 1 to 7, each representing a different type of resin based on the material’s structure and chemical composition. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has also adopted this system, making it easier to classify and manage plastics nationwide.

Since not all plastics can be recycled, the RIC plays a crucial role in distinguishing which types are easily recyclable and which are not. Plastics that cannot be recycled often require specialised handling or treatment before disposal, helping prevent environmental contamination. The code also helps identify high-quality recyclable materials, encouraging better recycling practices and reducing our dependence on virgin plastic.

Today, many environmentally conscious consumers instinctively look for these markings on bottles, containers, and packaging to check whether a product is recyclable or safe for reuse.

With this understanding in place, let us take a closer look at what each of these seven numbers actually means.

This number indicates that the product is made from polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET. It is one of the most familiar plastics in our daily lives. You will typically find this code embossed on beverage bottles used for water, soft drinks, and juices, as well as on various food containers and bottles for cooking oil, household cleaners, and similar liquids.

The composition of PET is such that oxygen cannot easily enter the container, which helps keep the contents fresh and prevents spoilage. Beyond bottles, PET is also widely used in textile applications. Polyester fabrics used in clothing, upholstery, cushions, and even non-woven items like carpets are often made from PET fibres.

Recycling Process

PET is valued for its relatively simple recycling process, making it the most widely recycled plastic in the world. During recycling, it can be transformed into new bottles, packaging materials, or textile fibres. At times, you may notice the letters 'rPET' embossed on a product—this indicates that the item itself has been made from recycled PET, giving old plastic a new life and reducing the need for fresh raw material.

Now, take a look at the bottom of a shampoo bottle, a skin moisturiser bottle, or even a hand-wash container. Many of these everyday household products are made from high-density polyethylene, commonly known as HDPE, which is identified by code 2 in the Resin Identification System.

Like PET, HDPE is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world. Its strength, durability, and resistance to chemicals make it suitable for a wide range of applications. Apart from personal-care bottles, HDPE is used to make milk containers, detergent bottles, trash cans, laundry baskets, outdoor furniture, and playground equipment. It is also a preferred material for water and gas pipes, thanks to its ability to withstand pressure and harsh environmental conditions.

HDPE’s versatility extends from food-grade containers to industrial piping and automotive parts, making it an essential material in both domestic and commercial products. Just like PET, HDPE is highly recyclable and is widely accepted in most recycling programmes, contributing significantly to efforts aimed at reducing plastic waste.

We will continue exploring the remaining numbers next week. Until then, have a wonderful weekend!

(The author is an environmentalist. Views personal.)