Plastics
( Article Type: Explanation )
Mobile phones, televisions, computers, calculators, cars, water bottles to name but a few – our modern lifestyle would simply not be possible without PLASTICS.
Plastics play a major role in delivering and sustaining the quality, comfort and safety of modern lifestyles. They are one of the most resource-efficient materials available today and products made from plastics help save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Visit ‘'All About Plastics’ for more information. Plastic products improve people’s lives, whilst conserving natural resources and helping to protect the environment for tomorrow, in a world that is growing in population, with ever-increasing demands for water, food, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services and economic security.
Plastics are identified by a triangle with a number in the centre to help classify them for recycling. The seven main groupings are as follows:
- Polyethylene terephthalate or PET (used for cool drink bottles);
- High-density polyethylene or PE-HD (buckets, crates, motor oil containers);
- Polyvinyl chloride or PVC (clear trays for foods, pipes and gutters);
- Low-density polyethylene or PE-LD (frozen vegetable bags, garbage bags);
- Polypropylene or PP (bottle caps, car battery cases);
- Polystyrene or PS (yoghurt containers, takeaway food tubs, disposable cups)
- Other (usually covering specialised engineering plastics).
