What Are the Different Types of Plastic?
These seven plastics are:
- PET, or PETE, is shorthand for polyethylene terephthalate.
- HDPE, or high-density polyethylene,
- PVC, or polyvinyl chloride,
- LDPE, or low-density polyethylene,
- PP, or polypropylene,
- Polystyrene, sometimes known as Styrofoam,
- Polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass, and nylon are all examples of plastics that fall into the category of “other plastics.”
Plastic is an indispensable material for promotional freebies and everyday household products. The same holds true for the supplies we use in the workplace.
Plastic Recyclability Codes
You, as a customer, can greatly benefit from knowing the differences between the many plastics on the market, both in terms of health and environmental impact. The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) code, also called a resin identification number, is used to categorize various plastics and should be familiarized with. With this knowledge, you can better separate plastics for recycling.
How Many Distinct Plastics Are There?
You can’t possibly make it through your home or workplace without encountering some form of plastic item. There is no more ubiquitous substance in our daily lives. It’s easy to lump everything under the category of “plastic.” However, there are seven different kinds of plastic that you should be aware of.
Plastics contain everything from
Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET), which is the most commonly used plastic. In 1940, J. Rex Whinfield and James T. Dickson first introduced one of the most widely used plastics in the world. It wasn’t employed for clear Coca-Cola and Pepsi bottles, for example, until after another 30 years had passed.
Despite the fact that PETE polymers account for 96% of all plastic bottles and containers in the US, only 25% of them get recycled. A cleaner environment and less waste in landfills can be guaranteed by conscious efforts to recycle Code 1 plastics.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is the second most common plastic. Using catalysts and low pressure, Karl Ziegler and Erhard Holzkamp developed high-density polyethylene in 1953. Its original application was for piping in drainage systems and storm sewers. These days, you may find this material in all sorts of products.
Due to its durability in both cold and heat, HDPE has become the plastic of choice for recycling. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that each year, just 12 percent of HDPE goods are recycled. The impact on the planet’s carbon footprint is negligible at best.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or plastic No. 3,
In terms of industrial use, PVC has been around for quite some time. Twice, in 1838 and 1872, the French physicist Henri Victor Regnault and the German chemist Eugen Baumann made accidental discoveries about it. Both times, the men located it in vinyl chloride flasks that had been left in direct sunlight.
When it comes to plastics, PVC ranks towards the bottom, with annual recycling rates often below 1%. This type of plastic has been dubbed “poison plastic” due to the wide variety of chemicals it releases into the atmosphere.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), plastic number 4
LDPE is the ancestor of all polyethylene because it was the first type to be manufactured. Due to its lower density, it must be processed separately from HDPE while being recycled.
About 75% of all plastic trash originates in private residences, the majority of which consists of LDPE packaging and containers. Thankfully, many recycling systems are adapting to take care of these items. As a result, there will be less LDPE polluting our landfills.
Polypropylene (PP), or “Number 5 Plastic,”
Polypropylene was discovered in 1951 by J. Paul Hogan and Robert L. Banks of the Phillips Petroleum Company. They had set out to create gasoline from propylene but instead stumbled onto a novel catalytic technique for producing plastic.
In the United States, polypropylene recycling stands at around 3%; however, during the course of a year, 325 million pounds of non-bottle plastics were collected for recycling. This plastic is produced in large quantities, but only a fraction of it is recovered for reuse.
Polystyrene (PS), also known as Styrofoam, is plastic number 6.
In 1839, while preparing medication, German apothecary Eduard Simon discovered polystyrene. He had isolated something from natural resin but was unaware of its significance. Hermann Staudinger, a German chemist, was responsible for studying this polymer and expanding its applications.
Polystyrene is more hazardous to the environment than other plastics since it is both lightweight and easy to shape into various plastic materials. Polystyrene debris is a major problem on beaches around the world, posing a threat to the wellbeing of marine life. About 35% of all trash in American landfills is polystyrene.
Random Plastics (Plastic No. 7)
Polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass, and nylon are the remaining polymers. There are, of course, a wide variety of plastics that fall under the umbrella term “miscellaneous” in recycling operations.
Avoiding these products, which include many that contain BPA, is especially important when it comes to food. Once manufactured, these plastics are difficult to degrade without high temperatures. Because of this, recycling them is quite difficult.
The SPI Code: What Is It?
The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) developed a categorization scheme in 1988 to aid in the correct recycling and disposal of plastics. The SPI code is a number that is now molded into the bottom of most products by manufacturers who adhere to this coding standard.
SPI-1 Code
The SPI code 1 denotes polyethylene terephthalate-based plastic. Sometimes these containers will take on the taste and smell of whatever is stored inside them. Many commonplace objects and necessities, however, continue to be made with this plastic.
SPI-2 Code
High-density polyethylene material can be identified by its SPI code of 2. There is no evidence that these items leach chemicals into food or drink, so they are quite safe to use. However, HDPE bottles that haven’t previously held food or drink should not be reused as such due to the danger of contamination.
SPI-3 Code
The SPI code 3 indicates that the plastic is made of polyvinyl chloride. This type of plastic is hazardous and should never come into contact with food. Although it can be found in a wide variety of consumer goods, PVC is mostly used in the plumbing and building industries.
SPI 4 Code
The SPI code 4 indicates that the plastic is made of low-density polyethylene. This type of plastic is typically tough and malleable. In addition, it does not leach toxins into stored items, making it an excellent option for preserving food.
Type 5 SPI Code
Products constructed from polypropylene plastic have an SPI code of 5. Although it can be recycled, PP has never gained the popularity of PETE or HDPE. This plastic is sturdy and usually works well in hotter conditions. That’s why reheating leftovers in Tupperware won’t cause them to melt!
Code 6 of the SPC
The SPI number 6 indicates that the plastic is made of polystyrene. The energy required to recycle PS implies that it is not widely accepted for recycling. That’s why it’s smart to buy a reusable cup for your morning coffee.
SPI-7 Code of Safe Practices
The SPI code 7 is used to identify various plastics that do not fall into any of the other six categories. These goods are analogous to plastics, but they don’t fall under the conventional SPI category.
