Types of Plastics

• PET (polyethylene terephthalate): plastic soft drink bottles, water bottles,

beer bottles, mouthwash bottles and many more
• HDPE (high density polyethylene): milk bottles, detergent bottles, oil bottles,
toys, plastic bags
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride): food wrap, vegetable oil bottles, blister packaging
• LDPE (low density polyethylene): bread bags, frozen food bags, squeezable
bottles, fiber, tote bags, bottles, clothing, furniture, carpet, shrink-wrap,
garment bags
• PP (polypropylene): margarine and yogurt containers, caps for containers,
wrapping to replace cellophane
• PS (polystyrene): egg cartons, fast food trays, disposable plastic silverware
• Other: This code indicates that the item is made with a resin other than the
six listed above, or a combination of different resins.

Definition

• PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the

polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other
liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins
often in combination with glass fiber. PET has good barrier properties
against oxygen and carbon dioxide. Therefore, it is utilized in bottles for
mineral water. PET exists both as an amorphous (transparent) and as a
semi-crystalline (opaque and white) thermoplastic material. Generally, it
has good resistance to mineral oils, solvents and acids but not to bases.

The semi-crystalline PET has good strength, ductility, stiffness and

hardness. The amorphous PET has better ductility but less stiffness and
hardness.
• HDPE is the high density version of PE plastic. It is harder, stronger and a
little heavier than LDPE, but less ductile. Dishwasher safe.

HDPE is lighter than water, and can be moulded, machined, and joined
together using welding (difficult to glue).

The appearance is wax-like, lustreless and opaque. The use of UV-

stabilizators (carbon black) improves its weather resistance but turns it
black. Some types can be used in contact with food.
• PVC is a heavy, stiff, ductile and medium strong amorphous (transparent)
material. By adding softeners a range of softer materials can be achieved,
ranging from a flexible to an almost rubber-like elastic soft material.

Softeners also help to increase the manufacturability. PVC has brilliant

resistance to acids and bases, but is affected by some solvents. Soft PVC
is exceptionally resistant to most chemicals.

Tubes made of PVC have the unique ability that they do not kink, i.e. stop
 the flow if bent. The poor weather resistance can be improved using
additives. PVC has good barrier properties to atmospheric gasses.
• LDPE is the low density version of PE. This has less hardness, stiffness and
strength compared to HDPE, but better ductility. It is opaque and only thin
foils can be transparent.

LDPE is used for packaging like foils, trays and plastic bags both for food
and non-food purposes. Used as protective coating on paper, textiles and
other plastics, for instance in milk cartons.
• PP is an inexpensive, ductile, low strength material with reasonable
outdoor performance. The material surface is soft wax-like and scratches
easily.

Stiffness and strenght are often improved using reinforcement of glass,

chalk or talc. The colour is opaque and white, but it can be dyed in many
colours.

In many ways, PP is similar to HDPE, but it is stiffer and melts at 165-170

C. PP can be manufactured by all the methods used for thermoplastics.
• Polystyrene is an inexpensive amorphous thermoplast that is vitreous,
brittle and has low strength. However it is also hard and stiff. Foamed PS
is used for packaging and insulation purposes.

It is not weather resistant, and therefore not suitable for outdoor uses.

PS is transparent (it transmits about 90% of the sunlight) and has

unlimited dyeing possibilities. Assembly can be done with glueing.

Resin identification code

The code system was developed to meet recyclers' needs while providing manufacturers a consistent, uniform
system that could apply nationwide. Because municipal recycling programs traditionally have targeted packaging –
primarily bottles and containers – the resin coding system offered a means of identifying the resin content of bottles
and containers commonly found in the residential waste stream.

Recycling firms have varying standards for the plastics they accept. Some firms may require that the plastics be
sorted by type and separated from other recyclables; some may specify that mixed plastics are acceptable if they
are separated from other recyclables; while others may accept all material mixed together.