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Most clear bottles (soda, water, etc.) have the No. 1 in the triangle. The No. 1
stands for PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate). PET plastic is recyclable.
The plastic is crushed and then shredded into small flakes which are then
reprocessed to make new PET bottles, or spun into polyester fibre. This recycled
fibre is used to make textiles such as fleece garments, carpets, stuffing for pillows
and life jackets, and similar products.
HDPE plastic is very stiff and hard-wearing and does not break down under
exposure to sunlight or extremes of heating or freezing. It is used to make milk
jugs, detergent and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags. HDPE is the most
commonly recycled plastic and is considered one of the safest forms of plastic. It
is a relatively simple and cost-effective process to recycle HDPE plastic for
secondary use.
PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used to make clear plastic food wrapping, cooking
oil bottles, teething rings, children’s and pets’ toys, and blister packaging for
myriad consumer products. It is commonly used as the sheathing material for
computer cables, to make plastic pipes and parts for plumbing, and in garden
hoses. Because PVC is relatively impervious to sunlight and weather, it is used to
make window frames, garden hoses, arbors, raised beds and trellises.
PVC is dubbed the “poison plastic” because it contains numerous toxins which it
can leach throughout its entire life cycle. Almost all products using PVC require
virgin material for their construction; less than 1% of PVC material is recycled.
LDPE is often found in shrink wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, squeezable
bottles, and the type of plastic bags used to package bread. The plastic grocery
bags used in most stores today are made using LDPE plastic. Some clothing and
furniture also uses this type of plastic.
LDPE is considered less toxic than other plastics, and relatively safe for use. It is
not commonly recycled,
Plastics that contain a No. 7 are any other plastic, including polycarbonate and
BPA, and often contain a combination of plastics 1-6. The No. 7 category was
designed as a catch-all for polycarbonate (PC) and “other” plastics, so reuse and
recycling protocols are not standardized within this category.
5. PP (Polypropylene)
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~-10°C (14°F)
Melting Point: ~130–170°C (266–338°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 300°C (572°F)
Thermal Conductivity: Low (~0.1–0.22 W/m·K)
Heat Resistance: Excellent; resists boiling water and steam.
6. PS (Polystyrene)
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~95°C (203°F)
Melting Point: Amorphous structure, softens at ~240°C (464°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 350°C (662°F)
Thermal Conductivity: Very low (~0.033 W/m·K for foam form)
Heat Resistance: Poor; warps easily under heat.
2. Fishing Gear
Examples: Fishing nets, lines, ropes, and traps (often referred to as "ghost gear").
Material: Nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene.
3. Plastic Packaging
Examples: Food containers, cling wraps, polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) cups and
trays.
Material: LDPE, PS, and PP.
4. Cigarette Butts
Material: Filters made from cellulose acetate (a plastic).