DIFFERENT TYPES Of PLASTIC WE USE
TYPE OF PLASTIC
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)aka polyester
COMMON FORMS
Beverage bottles, clothes, carpets, food jars, mouthwash bottles
EASE OF RECYCLING
Easy
AMOUNT PRODUCED IN 2015 (MILLION OF TONNES)
33
TYPE OF PLASTIC
High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)
COMMON FORMS
Toys, plant pots, garden furniture, rubbish bins, detergent bottles, buckets, milk jugs
EASE OF RECYCLING
Easy
AMOUNT PRODUCED IN 2015 (MILLION OF TONNES)
52
TYPE OF PLASTIC
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
COMMON FORMS
Synthetic leather, credit cards, medical equipment, shampoo bottles, window and door frames, pipes, gutters, fittings, cable sheathing
EASE OF RECYCLING Manageable
AMOUNT PRODUCED IN 2015 (MILLION OF TONNES)
38
TYPE OF PLASTIC Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
COMMON FORMS
Shopping bags, trash bags, packaging films and bags, bubble wrap, fabric for clothes, furniture, and carpets, wire and cable insulation, squeezable bottles
EASE OF RECYCLING
Manageable
AMOUNT PRODUCED IN 2015 (MILLION OF TONNES)
64
TYPE OF PLASTIC Polypropylene (PP)
COMMON FORMS
Reheatable food containers, bottle caps, straws, medicine bottles, insulated cooler bags, fabric, tarps, diapers
EASE OF RECYCLING
Difficult
AMOUNT PRODUCED IN 2015 (MILLION OF TONNES)
68
TYPE OF PLASTIC Polystyrene (PS) aka styrofoam
COMMON FORMS
Takeaway/ disposable food containers, toys, insulation, packaging material, boards
EASE OF RECYCLING
Very Difficult
AMOUNT PRODUCED IN 2015 (MILLION OF TONNES)
25
TYPE OF PLASTIC
Others – all other plastics that do not fall into the above categories including synthetic resins and composite plastics (polycarbonate, polyctide, acrylic, acrylonitrilebutadiene, styrene, fiberglass, and nylon)
COMMON FORMS
Nylon fabrics, signboards, medical storage containers, compact discs, baby bottles, car parts
EASE OF RECYCLING
Very Difficult
AMOUNT PRODUCED IN 2015 (MILLION OF TONNES)
127