Plastic is used to create so many different items, include actual products and product parts as well as many types of packaging. In general, you can divide up plastic into the categories of thermoplastics and thermoset plastics, the latter of which cannot be recycled, whereas thermoplastics often can be recycled again and again. Polyethylene terephthalate, PET, and another type of thermoplastic known as HDPE or high-density polyethylene, are perhaps the types of thermoplastic you usually find being recycled.
Most of the plastic items that you purchase are marked with a resin identification code. These are simply numbers inside a triangle of arrows, and many people just think of them as recycling codes. The codes are helpful to the workers at recycling centers because they make it easier to separate different types of thermoform packaging, thermoform trays, bottles and other items by category. The two aforementioned thermoformed plastics, PET and HDPE, are marked with a one and a two, respectively. These are the thermoplastics that are the most widely accepted by curbside recycling programs.
When it comes to polyethylene terephthalate, it's far easier to just call this thermoplastic PETE or perhaps PET. Used for thermoplastic packaging and items such as thermoplastic water bottles, you should be able to find a code of 1 on all PETE or PET items. PET is accepted worldwide at the vast majority of recycling facilities, and it can be melted down and recycled into a host of helpful consumer products including carpeting and even polyester apparel.
This thermoplastic was developed by two British chemists back in the 1940s. James Tennant Dickson and John Rex Whinfield found that combing the monomer terephthalic acid with another monomer, ethylene glycol, resulted in a polymer that was strong, resistant to many liquids and quite lightweight. This is why PET is used for water bottles and thermoplastic packaging for various foods. The low weight and low cost of PET make it quite cost effective, and its recyclability makes it one of the more sustainable choices for consumers.
Our other commonly recycled thermoplastic is HDPE, which is the easier to remember name for high-density polyethylene. Like PET, this thermoplastic also can be used to make a variety of products such as containers for laundry soap and shampoos as well as milk jugs and other liquids. It's identified by the resin code 2 and usually is allowed by curbside recycling programs as well as recycling centers. While PET are the bottles we associate cashing in to receive our deposit back, deposits aren't paid for HDPE, but these thermoplastic packages and bottles definitely can be recycled.
For those who need thermoform packaging, such as custom thermoform trays, clamshell packages, custom bottles or blister packaging, it is best to contact a thermoforming company and discuss your options. Using HDPE or PET might be an excellent option for your product, and thermoforming companies can help you find the best type of plastic for your needs.
Most of the plastic items that you purchase are marked with a resin identification code. These are simply numbers inside a triangle of arrows, and many people just think of them as recycling codes. The codes are helpful to the workers at recycling centers because they make it easier to separate different types of thermoform packaging, thermoform trays, bottles and other items by category. The two aforementioned thermoformed plastics, PET and HDPE, are marked with a one and a two, respectively. These are the thermoplastics that are the most widely accepted by curbside recycling programs.
When it comes to polyethylene terephthalate, it's far easier to just call this thermoplastic PETE or perhaps PET. Used for thermoplastic packaging and items such as thermoplastic water bottles, you should be able to find a code of 1 on all PETE or PET items. PET is accepted worldwide at the vast majority of recycling facilities, and it can be melted down and recycled into a host of helpful consumer products including carpeting and even polyester apparel.
This thermoplastic was developed by two British chemists back in the 1940s. James Tennant Dickson and John Rex Whinfield found that combing the monomer terephthalic acid with another monomer, ethylene glycol, resulted in a polymer that was strong, resistant to many liquids and quite lightweight. This is why PET is used for water bottles and thermoplastic packaging for various foods. The low weight and low cost of PET make it quite cost effective, and its recyclability makes it one of the more sustainable choices for consumers.
Our other commonly recycled thermoplastic is HDPE, which is the easier to remember name for high-density polyethylene. Like PET, this thermoplastic also can be used to make a variety of products such as containers for laundry soap and shampoos as well as milk jugs and other liquids. It's identified by the resin code 2 and usually is allowed by curbside recycling programs as well as recycling centers. While PET are the bottles we associate cashing in to receive our deposit back, deposits aren't paid for HDPE, but these thermoplastic packages and bottles definitely can be recycled.
For those who need thermoform packaging, such as custom thermoform trays, clamshell packages, custom bottles or blister packaging, it is best to contact a thermoforming company and discuss your options. Using HDPE or PET might be an excellent option for your product, and thermoforming companies can help you find the best type of plastic for your needs.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys blogging about how stuff is made. To get further details about custom thermoforming or to find out more about thermoform plastics, please go to the Indepak.com website now.
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