Understanding plastics is critical when choosing plastic items for your family and home. Plastics are of many types, some of which are used for industrial and others for commercial applications. While some plastics are meant to be disposed after being used once, others are made to be used for longer periods of time.
Common Commercial Plastics
Types of plastics used for commercial purposes include:
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
- High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Other
The following table lists the different types of plastics and their applications and uses.
|
Types of Polymers |
Application Examples |
|
Polyethylene Terephthalate |
Bottles for water and fizzy drinks, salad trays, etc. |
|
High Density Polyethylene |
Most shampoo, bleach and milk bottles. |
|
Polyvinyl Chloride |
Rigid PVC – doors and window frames, fittings and pipes.
Foam PVC – automotive parts and thermal insulation. |
|
Low Density Polyethylene |
Packaging films, bin liners and carrier bags. |
|
Polypropylene |
Fibers and filaments for vehicle upholstery, wall coverings, and carpets. Also used in the production of microwaveable meal trays and margarine tubs. |
|
Polystyrene |
Insulation materials for construction and building industry, protective packaging for toys and electronic goods, plastic cutlery, egg cartons, foam hamburger boxes and yogurt pots. |
|
Unallocated Plastics |
Other kinds of plastics that don’t particularly belong to any of the above category such as polycarbonate, a plastic glazing material used in the aircraft industry. |
