Common Plastics & the Plastic Identification Code
| Type of Plastic | Properties | Common Uses | Recyled In |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PET Polyethylene Terephthalate |
Clear, tough solvent resistant, barrier to gas and moisture, softens at 80°C | Soft drink and water bottles, salad domes, biscuit trays, salad dressing and peanut butter containers | Pillow and sleeping bag filling, clothing, soft drink bottles carpet |
|
PE-HD High Density Polyethylene |
Hard to semi-flexible, resistant to chemicals and moisture, waxy surface, opaque, softens at 75°C, easily coloured, processed and formed | Crinkly shopping bags, freezer bags, milk bottles, ice cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo, chemical and detergent bottles, buckets, rigid agricultural pipe, milk crates | Recycling bins, compost bins, buckets, detergent containers, posts, fencing, pipes |
|
PVC Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride PVC-U Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride PCV-P |
Strong, tough, can be clear, can be solvent welded, softens at 80°C Flexible, clear, elastic, can be solvent welded |
Cosmetic containers, electrical conduit, plumbing pipes and fittings, blister packs, wall cladding, roof sheeting, bottles garden hose, shoe soles, cable sheathing, blood bags and tubing, watch straps |
Flooring, film and sheets, cables, speed bumps, packaging, binders, mud flaps and mats |
|
PE-LD Low density Polyethylene |
Soft, flexible, waxy surface, translucent, softens at 70°C, scratches easily | Plastic Food wrap, garbage bags, squeeze bottles, black irrigation tube, garbage bins | Rubbish bin liners, pallet sheets |
|
PP Polypropylene |
Hard but still flexible, waxy surface, softens at 140°C, translucent, withstands solvents, versatile | Dip bottles and ice cream tubs, potato chip bags, straws, microwave dishes, kettles, garden furniture, lunch boxes, blue packing tape | Pegs, bins, pipes, pallet sheets, oil funnels, car battery cases, trays |
You will find information about the Plastics Identification Codes here: plastics.org.nz