Standard resin-code formPlastic resin identification
Plastic resin code 2 — HDPE
2 HDPE identifies High-density polyethylene. It does not by itself confirm that the item is accepted by a local recycling service.
2 HDPEInternationalcode 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 High-density polyethylene. 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 2 with HDPE, PE-HD or a local equivalent.
- It is usually moulded into the underside of a rigid container.
Typical applications
Where it commonly appears
- milk and juice bottles
- detergent and shampoo bottles
- rigid tubs, crates and closures
Practical decision
How to sort or dispose of it
- Check local acceptance for the exact rigid item; large crates, toys and pipes often use a different route.
- Separate pumps or mixed-material closures when local guidance requests it.
- Use retailer or specialist take-back for non-packaging HDPE when available.
Before disposal or return
- Empty the container.
- Rinse only as much as local guidance requires.
- Keep hazardous-product packaging out of household recycling unless the operator explicitly accepts it.
Avoid contamination
Common mistakes
Assuming all code-2 products are household packaging.
Putting chemical-contaminated containers into ordinary recycling.
Confusing rigid HDPE with flexible PE film collection.
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 2 HDPE 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
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