Plastic codes and what they mean

Plastic codes 1-7

Plastic comes in a wide range of shapes and colours, as well as a variety of various sorts. Each one is distinct from the others and serves a distinct purpose. Because of the chemicals they contain, some forms of plastic are recyclable while others are not; some may be recycled while others must be disposed of in a different manner.

THE DIFFERENT PLASTIC TYPES CODES

1 – PET

PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is used to make the first generation of plastics.  It's often collected through most curbside recycling programmes and has a fantastic track record! PET bottles are, in fact, the most widely recycled plastic on the planet!

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2 – HDPE

Plastic code 2 i.e High-Density Polyethylene, or HDPE, is a tough resin that's utilised in supermarket bags, milk jugs, recycling bins, agricultural tubing, as well as playground equipment, caps, and shampoo bottles. It is significantly tougher and thicker than PET since it is formed of long unbranched polymer chains. It's also relatively robust and impact-resistant, and it can withstand temperatures of up to 120°C without degrading. HDPE is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle, thus it is accepted at most recycling sites throughout the world.   

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3 – PVC 

Polyvinyl chloride is the third most extensively used synthetic plastic polymer in the planet. There are two types of rigidity: rigid and flexible. PVC is widely utilised in the building and construction sector in its rigid form to make door and window profiles and pipes (drinking and wastewater). It can be made softer and more flexible by mixing it with other materials and used for plumbing, wiring, and electrical cable insulation, as well as flooring.

Despite its many benefits and the plastic industry's efforts to promote reusability, PVC is still scarcely recyclable and should be avoided if possible.

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 4 – LDPE

Low-density molecules distinguish LDPE, allowing for a thinner and more flexible construction. It has the most basic structure of all the polymers, making it simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Plastic bags, six-pack rings, various containers, dispensing bottles, and, most famously, plastic wraps are all made of this material, which is rarely recycled through curbside programmes.  

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 5-PP

Polypropylene is the world's second-most-produced commodity plastic, and its market is expected to expand even further in the coming years. It's tough and durable, and it can tolerate extreme temperatures. It's used in tupperware and car parts, etc. Because of its high fatigue resistance, PP is commonly utilised for living hinges.

 6 – PS

The sixth type of plastic on the list is polystyrene, which can be solid or foamed. Because it is a low-cost resin per unit weight and easy to manufacture, it may be found in a wide range of products, including beverage cups, insulation, packing materials, egg cartons, and disposable dinnerware. It's highly combustible and dangerous since, when heated, it can release poisonous compounds.

It's one of the worst sorts of plastic for the environment: it's not biodegradable, for starters. Second, because to its low specific gravity, polystyrene foam floats on water and blows in the wind. Furthermore, polystyrene isn't recognised in curbside recycling programmes.

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7 – OTHER PLASTIC If plastic cannot be classified into one of the six categories listed above, it will be placed in group number 7. Polycarbonates (PC) are the most well-known of this group of plastics, which are used to make robust and durable items. Polycarbonates are frequently utilised in the manufacture of lenses for sunglasses, sports, and safety goggles.
The usage of these resins has been controversial in recent years, owing to their leaching, which releases bisphenol A, a substance that is on the list of probable environmental harmful chemicals when it occurs at high temperatures. Furthermore, because BPA does not decompose in landfills, it will remain in the earth for a long time and eventually find its way into water bodies, leading to aquatic contamination. Furthermore, the number 7 plastic is nearly never recycled.

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We hope this blog post has provided some clarity about the differences among all these plastic types.

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