In this blog, we will explain what types of plastic they are and how they are recycled.
You can find plastics everywhere. It is found in bottles, containers, wrappers, and other everyday things. Plastic is as versatile as it is recycled.
By recycling the plastics you use every day, you can reduce your impact on the environment and help businesses cut costs.
However, not all plastics are created equal.
The number inside the recycling symbol on plastic containers, known as the SPI code, provides a wealth of information about the safety and biodegradability of each type of plastic.
Understanding these codes will help you know how to sort used materials for recycling. For quick reference, here’s a quick overview of the different codes:
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET)
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polyvinyl chloride (P or PVC)
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Various plastics
PET or PETE – polyethylene terephthalate
The most commonly used type of plastic is, as a rule, intended for one-time use.
Repeated use is not recommended due to the possibility of bacterial contamination.
It can be easily recycled, resulting in materials for new PET bottles or recycled polyester fibers it is used for the production of textiles.
HDPE – high-density polyethylene
This type of plastic is most often recycled. It is also considered the safest type of plastic and is therefore suitable for multiple uses.
Since it is a durable plastic, it is also used in the production of consumer goods, which require long-term durability and weather conditions (e.g. waste bins).
PVC – polyvinyl chloride
The by-product of PVC production are dioxides, toxic chemical compounds.
For this reason, it is not recommended to heat food packed in PVC packaging, in order to prevent the release of these compounds.
This is also the reason why plastic of this type is rarely recycled.
LDPE – low-density polyethylene
A relatively safe type of plastic to use. It is possible to recycle, although this has been rarely applied in practice so far.
PP – polypropylene
PP plastic has good mechanical properties, as a rule, it is solid, resistant to light and heat, and therefore has a wide range of applications.
Although it can be recycled, data shows that very little of this type of plastic is recycled today.
PS – polystyrene
One of the most commonly used types of plastic. It is not recommended to heat food in polystyrene containers due to the release of harmful styrene.
This especially applies to heating food in a microwave oven.
It can be recycled, but recycling of this type is poorly implemented.
We would like to note that the materials from which our products are made are 100% recycled plastic.
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