PLASTIC

The energy required to make one plastic bottle

could recycle ten plastic bottles

1 – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
This is the first type of commercially-distributed plastic, labeled with a 1 and PETE. This type of

plastic is considered food- and drink-safe due to its ability to prevent oxygen from

penetrating and spoiling the product inside. PETE is a highly recyclable resin, as well as an

inexpensive, lightweight, shatter-resistant material.

Items commonly made with PETE include:

Soft drink bottles

Juice bottles

Water bottles

Shampoo/conditioner bottles

Liquid hand soap bottles

Carry-home food containers

2 – High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

This is the second type of commercially-distributed plastic, labeled with a 2 and HDPE. HDPE

is one of the most popular materials used in thermoplastic manufacturing.

Some common household products often made with HDPE include:

Toys

Food storage containers

Waste & recycling receptacles

Outdoor signage

Reusable water bottles

3 – Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

This is the third type of commercially-distributed plastic, labeled with a 3 and PVC. PVC is

readily available and relatively inexpensive. It’s also dense and resists chemicals, alkalies, and

impact deformation compared to other commercial plastics.

Some common products often made with PVC include:

Rigid pipes

Wire insulation

Residential flooring

Building siding
4 – Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
This is the fourth type of commercially-distributed plastic, labeled with a 4 and LDPE. As the

names suggests, Low-Density Polyethylene has a lower “density” than HDPE.

Some common household products often made with LDPE include

Disposable shopping bags

Juice boxes

Wire insulation

Plastic film

Plastic baggies

5 – Polypropylene (PP)
This is the fifth type of commercially-distributed plastic, labeled with a 5 and PP.

Polypropylene is a very tough, heat-resistant plastic that retains its shape after a lot of

torsion, bending, and/or flexing.

Some common products made from PP plastic include:

Plastic containers

Reusable water bottles

Medical components

Outdoor furniture

Toys

Luggage

Car parts

6 – Polystyrene (PS)
This is the sixth type of commercially-distributed plastic, labeled with a 6 and PS. The

professionals at Retlaw Industries manufacture high-quality roller chain sprockets, rebar

chairs, idler pulleys and pulley adapters with Polystyrene composite plastic.

Some common products made from PS plastic include:

Household appliances

Car parts

Instrument panels

Foam in car seats

TVs and computers

Medical test tubes

CD and DVD cases

7 – Other

This is the seventh type of commercially-distributed plastic, and it encompasses all other types

of miscellaneous plastics that don’t fall within the first 6 types. Some plastics that fall under

the Other category include polycarbonate (PC), acrylic (PMMA), nylon, fiberglass, and

polylactic acid (PLA).

Some common products made from these other types of plastic include:

Eyeglasses

PLA compostable cups

Bulk food containers

Fiberglass piping