Types of plastic

There are about 50 different groups of plastics, with hundreds of different varieties. All types of plastic are
recyclable. To make sorting and thus recycling easier, the American Society of Plastics Industry developed
a standard marking code to help consumers identify and sort the main types of plastic. These types and their
most common uses are:

PET Polyethylene terephthalate - Fizzy drink bottles and oven-ready

meal trays.

HDPE High-density polyethylene - Bottles for milk and washing-up

liquids.
Polyvinyl chloride - Food trays, cling film, bottles for squash,
PVC mineral water and shampoo.

LDPE Low density polyethylene - Carrier bags and bin liners.

PP Polypropylene - Margarine tubs, microwaveable meal trays.

PS Polystyrene - Yoghurt pots, foam meat or fish trays, hamburger

boxes and egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective
packaging for electronic goods and toys.

OTHER Any other plastics that do not fall into any of the above categories. -
An example is melamine, which is often used in plastic plates and
cups.

Plastic Packaging Recycling Codes and

Typical Plastic Properties
Polyethyle High Polyvin Low
ne Density yl Density Polypropyl Polystyr
  Terephthal Polyethyl Chlorid Polyethyl ene ene
ate ene e ene (PP) (PS)
(PET) (HDPE) (PVC) (LDPE)

Properties

Transluc Transluc Transluce

Clarity Clear Clear Clear
ent ent nt

Moisture Fair to Good to Good to Poor to

Fair Good
Barrier Good Excellent Excellent Fair

Oxygen
Good Poor Good Poor Poor Fair
Barrier

Max.
Temperat 120F 145F 140F 120F 165F 150F
ure

Modera Moderat
Moderate Moderat Moderate
Rigidity te to Low e to
to High e to High
High High

Resistanc
Good to Good to Fair to Poor to Poor to
e to Excellent
Excellent Excellent Good Good Good
Impact

Resistanc Poor to Poor to

Good Fair Good Fair
e to Heat fair Fair

Resistanc Poor to
Good Excellent Fair Excellent Poor
e to Cold Fair

Resistanc
Poor to Poor to
e to Good Fair Fair Fair
Good Fair
Sunlight

For additional usage information on plastic packaging resins visit

the American Plastics Council web site.
 
 
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the information provided herein including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular use or purpose. Packaging Graphics Co. shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect, incidental
or consequential damages, damages from loss of use or profits, or cost of procurement of substitute goods or
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E-Mail: salesdept@packaginggraphics.net

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