Standard resin-code formPlastic resin identification
Plastic resin code 1 — PET or PETE
1 PET / PETE identifies Polyethylene terephthalate. It does not by itself confirm that the item is accepted by a local recycling service.
1 PET / PETEInternationalcode format standardised through ASTM in North America
At a glance
What this symbol means
The resin identification code identifies the predominant plastic resin family as Polyethylene terephthalate. It is primarily a material-sorting code.
The resin number identifies polymer type. Local collection rules still determine whether the specific package or product is accepted.
Recognition
How to recognise it
- Look for the number 1 and PET or PETE beneath or inside a triangular outline.
- The code may be moulded into the base, cap area or underside rather than printed.
Typical applications
Where it commonly appears
- water and soft-drink bottles
- edible-oil bottles
- food jars and some thermoformed trays
Practical decision
How to sort or dispose of it
- Check whether the local service accepts the exact format: bottle, jar, tray, film or non-packaging item.
- Use a deposit-return route when the container carries an eligible deposit mark.
- Do not assume every PET object belongs in a household packaging bin.
Before disposal or return
- Empty liquids and remove significant food residue.
- Follow local instructions on caps, pumps, sleeves and labels.
- Keep deposit containers intact enough for barcode or shape recognition.
Avoid contamination
Common mistakes
Treating the number 1 as a universal recycling approval.
Mixing PET packaging with polyester textiles or durable PET products.
Flattening a deposit bottle when the return system requires its original shape.
Important limitation
What it does not mean
The triangular code is not a universal recycling approval, does not describe contamination, and does not tell you whether the local service accepts that product format.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does 1 PET / PETE mean the item is recyclable?
No. It identifies the resin. Collection, sorting capacity, contamination and end markets determine whether the exact item is accepted.
Why can two items with the same code have different instructions?
Shape, size, colour, additives, labels, food residue and whether the item is packaging can change how a local facility handles it.
Should I follow the number or the local disposal label?
Use the number to identify material, then follow the product-specific and local disposal instruction.
Verification
Sources
ASTM D7611/D7611M — Resin Identification Coding SystemOpen source ↗U.S. EPA — How to recycle common materialsOpen source ↗
Sources checked 15 August 2026
Continue identifying
Related symbol guides
Plastic resin identificationPlastic resin code 2 — HDPE2 HDPE2 HDPE identifies High-density polyethylene. It does not by itself confirm that the item is accepted by a local re…
Plastic resin identificationPlastic resin code 5 — PP5 PP5 PP identifies Polypropylene. It does not by itself confirm that the item is accepted by a local recycling servic…
Refund and return markDeposit return label or markDRS / depositA deposit-return mark identifies a container covered by a refund scheme, but the exact logo, value, size and retur…
Regional on-pack recycling labelJapan PET bottle identification markPET bottle markJapan’s PET bottle mark identifies designated PET bottles subject to the country’s container and packaging sorting…
Plastic resin identificationPlastic resin code 3 — PVC3 PVC3 PVC identifies Polyvinyl chloride. It does not by itself confirm that the item is accepted by a local recycling…
Plastic resin identificationPlastic resin code 4 — LDPE4 LDPE4 LDPE identifies Low-density polyethylene. It does not by itself confirm that the item is accepted by a local rec…
Plastic resin identificationPlastic resin code 6 — PS6 PS6 PS identifies Polystyrene. It does not by itself confirm that the item is accepted by a local recycling service.
Plastic resin identificationPlastic resin code 7 — OTHER7 OTHER7 OTHER identifies Other plastics or multi-resin plastics outside codes 1–6. It does not by itself confirm that th…