BBC News

Plastic means mouldable - so clay and wax could properly be defined as plastic - but these days the word tends to be used to mean synthetic polymers made from oil. There are more than 50 different types of plastics but six common types have been given codes which help identify them for recycling. There is a seventh category for "other" plastics.

Code

Abbreviation

Full name

Common domestic uses

Recycling details

PET (or PETE)

Polyethylene terephthalate

Clear drinks bottles, food packaging such as fruit punnets, textile fibres (polyester).

PET bottles are collected by 92% of councils. Recycled PET is generally used in fabrics such as fleece, strapping and carpets. New technology allows PET to be recycled into new food packaging.

HDPE

High density polyethylene

Milk bottles, shampoo and cleaning product bottles.

HDPE bottles are collected by 92% of councils. They are recycled into garden furniture, litter bins and pipes. New technology allows HDPE to be recycled into new milk bottles.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride

Window frames, drainage pipes, shower curtains, clothing, toys, large squash bottles.

Not generally collected from households for recycling. PVC use in packaging is in decline.

LDPE

Low density polyethylene

Carrier bags, some bottles and containers, yokes holding four or six-packs of cans together, lining or laminating cardboard containers.

Carrier bags are collected by some supermarkets and recycled into low-grade uses such as bin bags. Not generally collected from households for recycling. However, mixed plastic recycling is expected to be under way within five years.

Polypropylene

Soup pots, margarine tubs, most bottle tops, waterproof clothing, carrier bags.

Not generally collected for household recycling, although it has good potential. However, mixed plastic recycling is expected to be under way within five years.