Section 3734.60. Plastic containers labeled with code for basic material used in bottle or container

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Label" means a molded imprint or raised symbol that includes a code consisting of letters and numbers and is placed on or near the bottom of a plastic bottle or rigid plastic container to indicate the plastic resin used to produce the bottle or container.

(2) "Plastic" means any material made of polymeric organic compounds and additives that can be shaped by means of the flowing of the material.

(3) "Plastic bottle" means a plastic container that has a neck that is smaller than the body of the container; that accepts a screw-type cap, snap cap, or other closure; and that has a capacity of at least sixteen ounces but less than five gallons.

(4) "Rigid plastic container" means any formed or molded container, other than a plastic bottle, that is intended for a single use, is composed primarily of plastic resin, has a relatively inflexible finite shape or form, and has a capacity of at least eight ounces but less than five gallons.

(B) On and after January 1, 1991, no person shall either manufacture or distribute for use in this state any new, unfilled plastic bottle or rigid plastic container unless it bears a label with the appropriate code as prescribed in this section that indicates the plastic resin used to produce the bottle or container. A plastic bottle or rigid plastic container having a label or basecup composed of material different from that comprising the rest of the bottle or container shall be labeled with the code for the basic material used in the bottle or container.

The label required by this section shall consist of an equilateral triangle formed by three curved arrows of short radius with the apex of each point of the triangle at the midpoint of each arrow. The head of each arrow shall be at the midpoint of each side of the triangle with a short gap between the head of the arrow and the base of the succeeding arrow. The triangle formed by the three curved arrows shall depict a clockwise path around the code number, which shall be placed at the center of the triangle. The code letters shall be placed immediately below the triangle. The following code numbers and letters shall be used on the labels:

(1) For polyethylene terephthalate, the letters "PETE" and the number "1";

(2) For high density polyethylene, the letters "HDPE" and the number "2";

(3) For vinyl, the letter "V" and the number "3";

(4) For low density polyethylene, the letters "LDPE" and the number "4";

(5) For polypropylene, the letters "PP" and the number "5";

(6) For polystyrene, the letters "PS" and the number "6";

(7) For any plastic material named in rules adopted under division (C) of this section, the code letter and code number prescribed for the plastic material in those rules;

(8) For any other plastic, including, without limitation, multilayer materials, the word "OTHER" and the number "7".

(C) When the director of environmental protection considers it appropriate, he may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code listing plastic materials in addition to those listed in divisions (B)(1) to (6) of this section and prescribing a code letter and code number for each of those additional plastic materials. When labeling requirements similar to those established by this section have been established pursuant to the laws of other states for any such additional material, the code number and code letter for that material established under this division shall be consistent with the code number and code letter for that material established pursuant to the laws of those other states.

(D) The environmental protection agency shall maintain a list of the codes prescribed in divisions (B)(1) to (8) of this section and shall provide a copy of the list to any person upon request.

Effective Date: 11-02-1989