Figure 5.4: Plastic identification code

Text description of figure

The chart lists the various types of plastic, their properties, what they are used to produce, and what they can be recycled into.

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a clear, tough, solvent resistant plastic that is a barrier to gas and moisture and softens at 80 degrees celsius. It is used in soft drink and water bottles, salad dressing and jar containers, and biscuit trays. PET can be recycled in pillow and sleeping back filling, clothing, soft drink bottles, and carpet.

PE-HD (High density polyethylene) is a hard to semi-flexible plastic, resistant to chemicals and moisture, has a waxy surface, is opaque, softens at 75 degrees celsius. It can be easily coloured, processed and formed. PE-HD is commonly used for shopping bags, freezer bags, milk bottles, ice cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo, chemical and detergent bottles, and buckets. PE HD can be recycled into recycling bins, compost bins, buckets, detergent containsers, posts, fecncing, and pipes.

PVC-U (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is a strong, tough plastic that can be clear, and softens at 80 degrees celsius. It is commonly used for cosmetic containers, electrical conduit, plubming pipes and fittings, bliter packs, wall cladding, roof sheeting and bottles. PVC-U can be recycled into flooring, film and sheets, cables, speed bumps, packaging, binders, mud flaps, and mats.

PVC-P (plasticised polyvinyl chloride) is a flexible, clear, elastic plastic that can be solvent welded. It used to make garden hose, shoe soles, cable sheathing, blood bags and tubing, and watch straps. PVC-P can be recycled to make flooring, film and sheets, cables, speed bumps, binders, mud flaps and mats.

PP (polypropelene) is a hard but flezible, waxy surfaced plastic that softens at 140%. It is translucent, withstands solvents and is versatile. PP is used to make dip pottles, ice cream tubs, potato chip bags, straws, microwave dishes, kettles, garden furniture, lunch boxes, and blue packing tape. Recycled PP is used to make pegs, bins, pipes, pallet sheets, oil funnels, car battery cases, trays.

Polystyrene (PS) is a clear, glassy, rigid, brittle, opaque, semi-tough plastic that softens at 95 degrees celsius. Polystyrene is used to make CD cases, plastic cutlery, imitation crystal classware, low cost britle toys, video casette cases. Polystyrene can be recycled to make coat hangers, coasters, whiteware components, stationery trays and accessories.

Expanded polystyrene (PS-E) is a foamed, lightweight, energy absorbing, heat insulating plasic. It is ued to make foamed polystyrene hot drink cups, hamburger take-away clamshells, foamed meat tryas, and protective packaging. Expanded polystyrene can be used to make coat hangers, coasters, whiteware components, stationery trays and accessories.

Other types of plastic (including Nylon, SANS, ABS, and PC) are used to make car parts, appliance parts, computers, electronics, water cooler bottles, and packaging. These plastics can be recycled to make car parts, concrete aggregate, and plastic timber.