Plastic bottle numbers explained: Which ones are safe for everyday use?
Have you ever looked at the small triangle with a number printed at the bottom of a plastic bottle or container? It may seem like an ordinary manufacturing mark, but it actually tells you the type of plastic used and whether it is suitable for food, water, or repeated use.
The number inside the recycling triangle, known as the Plastic Resin Identification Code, ranges from 1 to 7. It helps consumers identify the type of plastic and also supports proper recycling. Understanding these numbers can help you make safer choices for your family's health.
What do the plastic numbers mean? No. 1 – PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate)This plastic is commonly used for packaged drinking water, soft drinks and juice bottles.
- Designed for single use only
- Repeated use may increase the risk of chemicals leaching into the contents, especially when exposed to heat
- It is best not to refill these bottles multiple times
Found in milk containers, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles and similar products.
- Considered one of the safest plastics
- Low risk of chemical leaching
- Widely recyclable and suitable for repeated use in appropriate products
Commonly used for pipes, flooring materials, some toys and industrial products.