Table of Contents
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 37/2026
Plastic number 2 is HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) - one of the most widely used and most recyclable plastics in the world. The number 2 is the Resin Identification Code (RIC) assigned under ASTM D7611, found inside the recycling symbol on HDPE products.
What is plastic number 2 (HDPE)?
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene, code 2) is a rigid thermoplastic with high stiffness, excellent chemical resistance, and a melting point of 120-135 degrees C. It is produced from ethylene monomer via low-pressure polymerization using Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalysts.
You encounter HDPE code 2 products daily: milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, plastic bins, cutting boards, and plastic pallets.
Properties of HDPE number 2
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.930-0.970 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 120-135 degrees C |
| Continuous service limit | Up to 82 degrees C |
| Cold limit | Down to -40 degrees C |
| Tensile strength | 20-37 MPa |
| Chemical resistance | Excellent - acids, alkalis, most solvents |
| Food contact approved | Yes (FDA 21 CFR, EU 10/2011) |
| Recyclability | One of the most recyclable plastics (code 2) |
Can HDPE plastic number 2 be reused?
Yes - HDPE code 2 products are designed for multiple uses in most cases. Here is a practical breakdown:
Food and beverage containers (milk jugs, juice bottles): These are generally single-use or limited-reuse consumer products. While HDPE itself is safe for multiple uses, the container design (thin walls, simple closure) is not optimized for long-term reuse. For reusable food containers, look for thicker-wall HDPE products designed for repeated washing.
Industrial containers and drums: Designed for multiple fill cycles. Industrial HDPE drums and IBCs can be cleaned and refilled many times before reaching end of service life. HDPE’s ESCR (Environmental Stress Crack Resistance) is critical for repeated chemical exposure.
Plastic pallets: HDPE plastic pallets are explicitly designed for long-term reuse - typically 7-10 years of service life with hundreds to thousands of load cycles. This is the highest reuse factor among HDPE products. Inspect regularly for cracks, warping, or broken legs before each use cycle.
HDPE number 2 vs other plastic codes
| Code | Material | Reusable? | Recyclable? | Food safe? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (PET) | PET | Limited | High (code 1) | Yes |
| 2 (HDPE) | HDPE | Yes - industrial products | High (code 2) | Yes |
| 3 (PVC) | PVC | Limited | Difficult | Limited |
| 4 (LDPE) | LDPE | Some | Moderate | Yes |
| 5 (PP) | PP | Yes - designed products | Growing | Yes |
| 6 (PS) | Polystyrene | Limited | Low | Limited |
| 7 (Other) | PC, ABS, mixed | Varies | Difficult | Varies (avoid BPA) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it safe to reuse HDPE plastic number 2 bottles?
HDPE is inherently safe for repeated use - it is BPA-free, chemically inert, and FDA-approved for food contact. However, consumer product bottles (milk jugs, etc.) are thin-wall and may develop micro-cracks with repeated washing that harbor bacteria. For repeated food and beverage use, use products specifically designed for multi-use (thicker HDPE water bottles or containers).
2. Does HDPE leach chemicals when reused?
Virgin HDPE has very low migration under normal use conditions. It does not contain BPA or phthalates. Under normal reuse conditions (not heated above service temperature, not used with strong solvents), HDPE leaching is not a concern per FDA and EFSA assessments.
3. Why is HDPE code 2 considered one of the safest plastics?
HDPE is BPA-free, has very low chemical migration, is approved for food contact globally, withstands freezer-to-ambient temperature cycling, has excellent chemical resistance, and is widely recyclable. This combination makes it one of the most trusted materials for food, beverage, and medical packaging.
Contact ICD Vietnam - HDPE plastic pallets and containers
Hotline 24/7: 0983 797 186 | 090 345 9186 | 090 5859 186
Zalo: icdvietnam | Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
References
- ASTM D7611 - Standard Practice for Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin Identification
- FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 - Olefin polymers (HDPE food contact)
- Wikipedia: High-density polyethylene
What HDPE number 2 gets recycled into
HDPE code 2 is mechanically recycled: collected, sorted, washed, shredded into flakes, then melted and pelletized into recycled HDPE (rHDPE). The material can be reprocessed up to 10 times before its mechanical properties degrade. Recycling HDPE uses roughly 88% less energy than producing virgin resin from crude oil, and every recycled tonne saves about 30 cubic metres of landfill space and 685 gallons of oil.
| Waste input (code 2) | Recycling step | End product |
|---|---|---|
| Milk and juice jugs | Wash, shred, pelletize | Detergent bottles, plant pots |
| Detergent and shampoo bottles | Color sort, extrude | Pipes, plastic lumber, decking |
| Industrial drums and crates | Granulate, injection mould | Recycled HDPE plastic pallets, bins |
Food-grade rHDPE requires a closed-loop, food-approved washing line; general recycled HDPE goes into non-food items such as pipes, pallets and lumber. Never reuse code 2 containers that previously held chemicals or acidic foods for food storage. For recycled-content HDPE pallets and containers, contact ICD Vietnam on 0983 797 186.
One practical tip: HDPE number 2 keeps the highest recycled value when collected clean and sorted by colour, because mixed-colour bales are downgraded to dark grey pellets only suitable for pipes and industrial bins rather than food-grade packaging.
Reference
Recyclability of resin code 2 (HDPE) plastic - British Plastics Federation (BPF).
