Changes planned for resin identification codes include categories for PC, PLA

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Oct. 26, 1:55 p.m. ET) -- ASTM International Inc. has developed some possible changes to the plastics industry resin identification code.

The standards-setting body recently asked its members to vote on 18 different items, including modifying the definition of PET and adding classifications for polylactic acid, polycarbonate and linear low density polyethylene.

The changes are still evolving, and several more ballots will be necessary before a final plan is in shape. Any change is likely 15 months to three years away, according to industry people close to the process.

“The most important issue for recyclers is that any changes don’t negatively impact plastics recycling,” said Steve Alexander, executive director of Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers, at the APR fall conference in Myrtle Beach, Oct 20-22.

“We want more bottles. We don’t want the code to get in the way of recyclers,” Alexander said.

The resin identification code was not developed as a recycling code, but it is what consumers and municipalities use to identify plastic products for recycling.

Under the current proposal, high density PE, PVC, LDPE, polypropylene and polystyrene would retain their designations of Nos. 2-6, respectively, said Dave Cornell, technical director of APR.

ASTM has asked its members whether they think the definition of PET should specify that containers labeled with a No. 1 symbol do not contain layers of coatings and additives above 0.5 percent concentration.

The proposal also calls for adding four new recycling numbers. Nos. 8-11 would be added for polycarbonate, linear LDPE, polylactic acid, and other polyesters that are not PET, respectively.

The No. 7 code would remain for “other” resins, but with a suggestion under consideration that the manufacturer provide, along with the No. 7, a detailed composition of the materials that are used.

The current voting — which ended Oct. 23 — is “just one step in the procedure,” said Cornell. “ASTM still is trying to decide whether to adopt the SPI [Society of the Plastics Industry Inc.] code or to make changes and updates.”

“The expansion to include other resins is probably going to happen,” Cornell said. “The question is how far the code is going to be expanded and when.”

The issue of how a specific resin can be modified with additives, barriers and other materials and still be considered primarily that resin is likely to have several further discussions, he said. “This review is still a work in progress,” Cornell said.

The code was developed in 1988 by SPI, but the task of possibly changing elements of the code has since been turned over to West Conshohocken, Pa.-based ASTM. ASTM’s D20.95 subcommittee on recycled plastics is spearheading the effort.

I am not usually a proponent of complicating matters with additional specificity, but with so much confusion over the "7 -- Other" code, I think it would be helpful for consumers to understand that PLA and polycarbonate water bottles are made from different resins, and only one of these resins has BPA.

It would be nice if PLA were given the "8" code, because the "infinite circles" of the figure eight bring a positive connotation that could be marketed to make consumers more aware of its compostability.

That being said, I think new codes should be reserved for resins that cannot be disposed of (whether that disposal is recycling or composting) with other resins. If LDPE and linear LDPE can share the same end of life scenario -- and I don't know that they can -- I would think they could share a resin code.

(You need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

Fields marked with * are required.