Plastic Content Code Abbreviations

Public Resources Code, Division 12.7 (commencing with Section 18000), requires manufacturers of rigid plastic containers, on and after January 1, 1992, to use container material content labels to indicate the type of plastic used to create the bottle or container.

Section 18015 of the Public Resources Code specifies the code abbreviation to be used for all plastic bottles with a capacity of 16 ounces or more and less than five gallons and for all rigid plastic containers with a capacity of eight ounces or more and less than five gallons sold in California after January 1, 1992. It requires the Division of Recycling to maintain a list of these abbreviations.

The following is a list of container material content abbreviations:

	polyethylene terephthalate - e.g., soda bottles
	high density polyethylene - e.g., milk and water jugs
	vinyl/poly vinyl chloride - e.g., window cleaners
	low density polyethylene - e.g., squeezeable mustard
	polypropylene - e.g., yogurt containers
	polystyrene - e.g., egg cartons
	made of mixed resins or multiple layers of more than one resin type- e.g., syrup bottles

Public Resources Code Section 18000 et seq.