What is plastic?
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as the main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to be molded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of various shapes.
Plastic material is cheap, cost-effective to produce, versatile, and durable. We can use plastic safely for packaged food, drinking milk or water, and various healthcare equipment. Plastics are cost-effective, require less energy to produce, and are very lightweight and biocompatible. This makes them an ideal material for single-use disposable devices, which currently comprise 85 % of medical equipment. Plastics can innovative materials for use in engineered tissues, absorbable sutures, prosthetics, and other medical applications.
Why we should Recycle Plastic Waste?
Cuz, Plastic recycling reduces C02 emitted from the manufacture of new plastic, emissions from carbonizing plastic waste, and prevents waste from going to landfills or decomposed lands. Further, recycling is more fuel-efficient, than producing new polymers plastic.
How can you classify which plastic is used?
You can distinguish the plastic by recycling symbols (mention below in the diagram) with the number used, and you can come to know which kind of plastic is used for what and its recyclability.
The different types of plastic waste?
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Miscellaneous Plastics (Mix plastics)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)
Polyethylene terephthalate which is also defined as PET or PETE is mainly used to manufacture the packaging material for food products such as fruit and drinks, and ravages due to their ability to keep the product from spoiling. It is lightweight, transparent, and also available in some colors. They are safer than the rest of the plastic. They are the most used plastic all around the world as have a high strength to weight ratio. Polyethylene terephthalate is easily recycled. Hence it is code as number 1.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE):
HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene, which is a thermoplastic polymer. It is mostly used for Hygiene products like plastic bottles, milk jugs, juice containers, shampoo bottles, body wash products, bleach bottles, cutting boards, and piping and is also used in children’s toys. With its lightweight, durability, and malleability, HDPE is a perfect material for injection molding. It’s easily recycled and is quite strong and thick when compared to PET. It is code as number 2.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl Chloride can be defined as PVC it is a “thermoplastic” material. PVC offers a wide variety of applications and advantages across multiple industries in both rigid and flexible forms. In particular, Rigid PVC possesses a high density for plastic, making it extremely hard and generally incredibly strong. PVC has an extremely durable nature and is lightweight, making it an attractive material for construction, plumbing, and other industrial applications. PVC is very dense compared to most plastics, readily available, and cheap. And has excellent tensile strength. Due to being easily recyclable, its code as number 3
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
LDPE’s lower density and branched molecules provide it somewhat different properties. It is resistant to impact (doesn’t break easily), moisture (waterproof), and chemicals resistance (can stand up to many hazardous materials). It is mostly used as bags for groceries, newspaper delivery, dry-cleaning, bread, beverage cups, plastic wraps, and so on, plus product overwraps, bubble wrap, and cereal box liners. Plus there are many industrial and agricultural uses, particularly plastic film and packaging to protect all sorts of products. They are recycled into film plastic, furniture, plastic lumber, rubbish, and compost bins. Due to its different properties, its code is 4.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene also known as ( polypropene ), is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applicants. In simple terms plastic is known for being a tough and rigid material. Polypropylene is a plastic that can be used as packaging material, Medical supplies, Plastic furniture, Automotive parts, Plastic films. Polypropylene is one of the foremost common sorts of plastic utilized in the manufacturing process. The code for this 5
Polystyrene
Polystyrene may be a synthetic hydrocarbon polymer made up of the monomer referred to as styrene. It can either be solid or foamed form. You may be very familiar with the word Styrofoam (Thermocol ). Commonly used polystyrene is transparent, hard, and brittle. It is mostly used for Plastic forks, DVD cases, the housing of computers, model cars, toys, rulers, and hair combs, disposable cutlery and bowls, packing materials, egg cartons. Due to various use its code as 6
Miscellaneous Plastics
Miscellaneous Plastics are that plastic which is different from above all plastic. It`s are polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass, and nylon. plastic CDs and DVDs Baby Bottles Large water bottles with multiple-gall capacity Medical storage containers Eyeglasses Exterior lighting fixtures. It is not very easy to interrupt down these plastics once they’re created unless they’re exposed to high temperatures.
