# PET vs HDPE: understanding two common packaging plastics

Canonical: https://materiumapp.com/learn/pet-vs-hdpe/

By Materium. Published 2026-10-23. English.

Compare PET and HDPE using resin markings, packaging components and useful material records.

PET and HDPE are different plastics, commonly marked 1 and 2 respectively. Their resin markings provide a straightforward starting point for identifying and comparing packaging.

Topics: [PET vs HDPE](https://materiumapp.com/learn/#topic-pet-vs-hdpe)

## Read the code in context

Check the base and lower edges for the number and letters. A close-up makes shallow moulded markings easier to read, while a wider photo keeps the container and its purpose in view.

Treat the body, cap and sleeve as components. A marking or instruction may describe one part rather than the entire package, so note which piece it belongs to.

## Make a simple comparison

For each object, record its use, marking and any manufacturer information. “Drink bottle, marked 1 PET” gives you a specific entry you can compare with “container body, marked 2 HDPE.”

A material identifier app adds another way to explore the surface. Materium uses visible features and object context to build an assessment, which you can read alongside the product’s marking.

## Find the relevant collection route

Once you have identified the resin, check the accepted-item guidance for your own collection service. EPA guidance in the US and Recycle Now’s UK symbol guide offer useful background; your provider supplies the local answer.

Save the scan and keep the marking and collection reference in your notes. For product care or suitability for a particular use, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. This gives your packaging comparison a clear material identity and a practical context.

[How Materium analyses patterns and material context](https://materiumapp.com/how-materium-works/).

## Sources

Sources checked 2026-10-19.

- [Recycle Now: recycling symbols (UK guidance)](https://www.recyclenow.com/how-to-recycle/recycling-symbols)
- [US EPA: recycling common materials (US guidance)](https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables)

AI-assisted educational content. [Editorial policy](https://materiumapp.com/editorial/).

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