Recycling codes

The recycling code used to identify different materials for recycling into the recycling loop ( recycling). The code consists of the recycling symbol of three (often green ) arrows, are supposed to reflect the recycling program, and a number that identifies the material. In most cases, a shortcut is including also indicated that specifies the group of materials. Because this symbol can vary ( eg, PET but also PETE is possible), the number is the decisive factor.

The marking of plastics ( numbers 01 to 07 ) were published under the name of SPI resin identification coding system first time in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). The letter abbreviation for plastics based on the standardized abbreviations for plastics.

To reduce sorting effort, the recyclables are sorted partly with the support of the consumer prior to recycling. To this end, many cities have set up recycling centers for disposal of recyclables. These can be used in addition to the established system in Germany " Green Dot" and the disposal of waste glass to the recycling center.

In Germany, the German Packaging Ordinance regulates August 21, 1998 ( Federal Law Gazette I p 2379 ), the recycling codes, last amended by Article 5, paragraph 19 of the Law of 24 February 2012 ( Federal Law Gazette I, p 212).

Recycling numbers

Composites

From 80 to 100 the number of the recycling codes are reserved for composites:

• The numbers 80 and 85 denote composites of paper or paperboard in combination with metal, plastic, aluminum and tinplate
• The numbers 90 to 92 identify composites of plastic and metal
• The numbers 95 to 98 identify composites of glass and metal