More than 70% of the commonly used items we see are made of plastic. Plastics in cars, water appliances, electrical wires, toys, packaging, clothing, household appliances, personal tools, etc. And more and more in typical industrial products such as: Plastic pallets, plastic waves, plastic containers, racks, etc. Coupled with the heavy use of plastic products is the problem of environmental pollution. It takes about 10-100 years for a plastic bag to decompose, some plastic items take up to 500-1000 years to decompose completely.
The problem of burning plastic waste produces a lot of dangerous substances, which not only affect human health but also cause serious air pollution. Statistics show that up to 32% of all plastic packaging ends up in the ocean every year. This number is very alarming and we need many solutions to minimize this situation.
7 types of recycled plastic and plastic recycling problems
7 types of recycled plastic, One of the most applied solutions is plastic recycling. There are many types of plastic that can be easily recycled and recycled over and over again. However, according to National Geographic, about 91% of plastic is released into the environment without being recycled. Basically, recycling is not an easy job, it requires cost and time. To implement recycling, we need to separate each type of plastic and control the number of times each type of plastic is recycled.
In addition, plastic recycling has a limitation that is the risk of cross-contamination. Leftover and spoiled food in plastic containers cannot be brought in for recycling. They need to be cleaned and removed. This process also takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, only certain types of plastic are recycled.
7 Types of recycled plastic in industrial production
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7 types of recycled plastic recycled plastic symbol #1: PET or PETE
PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages. Because they are quite inexpensive, light and easy to recycle. The recycling rate of this type of plastic is relatively low (about 20%). Although plastic factories are very much in demand to use them for production.
What products can you find PET plastic in?
You can easily see them in everyday life such as: Bottles of soft drinks, water, ketchup bottles, condiment bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter containers, coleslaw, vegetable oil …
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Plastic products from PET plastic
Products from recycled PET plastic
Commonly found recycled PET products include: Furniture, carpets made of synthetic fibers, straps for wrapping pallets, bottles and food containers (as long as the recycled plastic meets food standards. products and do not contain dangerous substances are used in food and cosmetics).
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Recycled plastic symbol #2: HDPE
Recycled HDPE plastic is a versatile plastic with many uses and outstanding features such as: heat-resistant, good elasticity, anti-corrosion, and has a wide range of applications in life. You can find up to 70% of plastic cosmetic bottles such as shampoo bottles, cleansers, conditioners, etc. are made from recycled HDPE.
What products can you find recycled HDPE plastic in?
Products that use recycled HDPE include: Milk bottles, juice bottles, bleach, detergents and household cleaning bottles, shampoo bottles, some trash cans and shopping bags, oil bottles engines, butter and yoghurt jars, cereal box liners, etc., and many other products. You can look at the bottom of the bottle to see what plastic the product is recycled from.
Recycled plastic symbol #3: V or PVC
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Plastic V (vinyl) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is very durable and good. Therefore they are often used for piping, siding and similar applications. PVC is inexpensive, so it is found in many products and packaging. Chlorine is part of PVC, its production can lead to the release of the extremely dangerous dioxin reader. PVC should not be burned, as it releases toxins.
In what products can V or PVC be found?
- Shampoo bottles; cooking oil bottle; blister packaging; Plastic windows, plastic pipes
- Products using recycled V or PVC
- Plastic flooring, cables, plastic furniture.
Recycled plastic symbol number 4: LDPE
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LDPE (low density polyethylene) is a flexible plastic with many applications.
Found in: Frozen food packaging, shopping bags, furniture
Recycle into: Plastic trash, plastic compost bin, plastic packaging, plastic panels for billboards.
Recycled plastic symbol number 5: PP
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PP (polypropylene) has a high melting point, and so is often chosen for containers with hot liquids.
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Found in: Certain yogurt containers; syrup bottles and medical solution bottles, food containers, straws, etc.
Products made from recycled PP plastic
Products made from recycled PP plastic are diverse. You can find products made from them such as: Signal lights, battery cables, plastic brushes, styrofoam boxes for fast food, takeout containers, plastic bins, plastic chopsticks, pallets, plastic trays , solid plastic containers…
Recycled plastic symbol number 6: PS
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PS (polystyrene) can be made into rigid or foam products of everyday lunch boxes. Styrene monomer can get into food and is a carcinogen. While styrene oxide is classified as a probable carcinogen. It is almost not acceptable for use in porous form, because it contains 98% air and they contain a proportion of Styrene monomer, styrene oxide has the potential to cause cancer. Please limit the use of styrofoam plastic lunch boxes at restaurants.
Found in: PP plastic used in the manufacture of disposable plastic cups, meat trays, aspirin bottles, disposable plates, etc.
PS plastic can be recycled into products including
Insulation materials, egg blisters, rulers, styrofoam packaging, takeout containers, etc.
Recycled plastic symbol # 7: Unsorted plastic
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Many unsorted plastics fall into group 7. Polycarbonate belongs to the number 7 recycled plastic category. This hard plastic makes many people worry about its safety. After research showed that this type of recycled plastic can be a hormone disruptor. PLA (polylactic acid), which is made from plants and is carbon neutral, also falls into this category.
Plastic #7 can be found in: Bulletproof materials, sunglasses, DVDs, iPods and computer cases, signs and displays, certain food containers, nylon, etc.
Plastic No. 7 can be recycled into products: Wood imitation plastic, handmade products, etc.
Some notes when using recycled plastics
Not only in industry, but recycled plastic is also widely used in our social life. In which can come applications such as recycled packaging, plastic utensils, etc. Here are some notes for you in the process of using recycled plastics.
In the production of raw materials
Currently, recycled plastic is widely used in the materials industry, especially in the production of auto parts. In which, PET is a recycled material that is used a lot to make propellers, luggage compartment mats, electrical switch boxes, etc.
In construction
Currently, recycled plastic is also widely used in construction. Accordingly, this type of recycled material is used a lot to improve the mechanical properties of concrete, improve insulation performance, thereby saving costs and reducing plastic waste into the environment.
In social life
It can be said that recycled plastic is widely used in our social life by bringing a lot of benefits to people. Not only becoming familiar with our lives with recycled products such as plastic bottles, wrapping films, but also being used to produce water pipes, crude oil, carpets, etc.
Thus, above are 7 types of recycled plastic in industrial production that are most commonly used today. Hopefully through this article, you can understand the importance of recycled plastic as well as the common types of recycled plastic.
Article source: Collected
