7 Types of Plastic
Plastic isn’t as simple as you think. Each one of them is different from the
others. Some of them are reusable; the others produce hazardous material after
several uses. Some are easily recyclable, others need more sophisticated and
intricate handlings in its recycling.
1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE or Polyester)
Introduced by J. Rex Whinfield and James T. Dickson in 1940, this plastic is
one of the most commonly used, it is a lightweight plastic that is made to be semi-
rigid or rigid which makes it more impact resistant. PET is also known as a
wrinkle-free fiber, mostly used for food and drink packaging purposes due to its
strong ability to prevent oxygen from getting in and spoiling the product inside.
It also helps to keep the carbon dioxide in carbonated drinks from getting out.
2. High-Density Polyethylene ( HDPE)
Karl Ziegler and Erhard Holzkamp used catalysts and low pressure to create
high-density polyethylene. It was first used for pipes in storm sewers, drains, and
culverts. HDPE is a hard, opaque plastic that is lightweight but also strong. It is
most commonly recycled plastic because it will not break under pressure and is
considered as one of the safest forms of plastic.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Is one of the oldest synthetic materials in industrial production and was
actually discovered on accident twice; once in 1383 by French physicist Henri
Victor Regnault and again 1872 by German a chemist Eugen Baumann. PVC is
dubbed the “poison plastic” because it contains numerous toxins which it can
leach throughout its entire life cycle. PVC or vinyl used to be the second most
widely used plastic resin in the world(after polyethylene), before the
manufacture and disposal process of PVC has been declared as the cause of
serious health risks and environmental pollution issues.
4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
LDPE was the first polyethylene to be produced, making it the godfather of the
material. LDPE is thinner than some other resins and also has high heat
resilience, and are the most used family of plastic in the world. Due to its
toughness and flexibility, LDPE is primarily used in film applications where heat
sealing is needed but also used in rigid applications.
5. Polypropylene (PP)
J. PAUL Hogan and Robert L. Banks of Phillips Petroleum Company discovered
polypropylene in 1951.PP is somewhat stiff but less brittle than some other
plastics. It can be made translucent, opaque or a different colour when it is
manufactured. PP generally has a high melting point, making it particularly
suitable for food packaging products that are used in microwaves or cleaned in
dishwashers, for example.
6. Polystyrene (PS)
In 1839, German apothecary Eduard Simon accidentally came across
polystyrene while preparing medication. PS is a colourless, hard plastic without
much flexibility. It can be made into foam or cast into molds and given fine detail
in it shape when it is manufactured, for instance into the shape of plastic spoon or
forks.
7. OTHER
“OTHER” or #7 symbol on plastic packaging indicates resin other than the six
types of resin indicated above, for example the packaging could be made with
polycarbonate or the bioplastic polylactide (PLA) for example, or it can made
with more than one plastic resin material.
