Polyethylene
Polyethylene, (IUPAC name polyethene), is a thermoplastic commodity heavily used in consumer products (over 60 million tons are produced worldwide every year).It is a polymer consisting of long chains of the monomer ethylene.Plastic is a versatile product. Plastic can be flexible or rigid; transparent or opaque. It can look like leather, wood, or silk. It can be made into toys or heart valves. Altogether there are more than 10,000 different kinds of plastics. The basic raw materials for plastic are petroleum and/or natural gas. These fossil fuels are sometimes combined with other elements, such as oxygen or chlorine, to make different types of plastic.Plastic was almost too good, as it was durable and degraded very slowly. In some cases, burning it could release toxic fumes. There was also the problem that manufacturing plastics often created large quantities of nasty chemical pollutants, and depleted the Earth's bounded supply of fossil fuels. We produce 20 times more plastics today than we did 50 years ago. Although there are more than 10,000 different kinds of plastics, 7 of them are commonly know (PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, OTHER).Nearly 10 % of U.S. oil consumption approximately 2 million barrels a day, is used to make plastic. Oil is non renewable source: it is limited.
Resin Identification Factoid:
There are about 50 different groups of plastics, with hundreds of different varieties. All types of plastic are recyclable but will depend on the available technology and markets for the recycled material. To make sorting and thus recycling easier, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) introduced its resin identification coding system in 1988 at the urging of recyclers around the country.
A growing number of communities were implementing recycling programs in an effort to decrease the volume of waste subject to tipping fees at landfills.The SPI code was developed to meet recyclers' needs while providing manufacturers a consistent, uniform system that could apply nationwide. Because municipal recycling programs traditionally targeted packaging--primarily containers--the SPI coding system offered a means of identifying the resin content of bottles and containers commonly found in the residential waste stream. Recycling firms have varying standards for the plastics they accept. Not all types of plastics are generally recycled, and recycling facilities may not be available in some areas.
Do Not Recycle. Plastic bags, hangers, toys, 6-pack rings, chemical containers, packing materials and plastic wrap.
What should be Done about Non-Recyclable Plastic?Do not purchase products in non-recyclable plastic containers if at all possible.Please look for alternative packages that come in recyclable containers. You should call or write the manufacturers of products in non-recyclable containers and ask them to switch to packaging that can be recycled in our program.
There are more than 10,000 different kinds of plastics, 7 of them are commonly know are:
Symbol / Type of plastic / Chemical formula / Common packaging uses / Amount recycled in 2006 / Recommendation / Common recycled use/ Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) / (-CO-C6H4-CO-O-CH2-CH2-O-)n / Beverage and food bottles and containers / 24 percent / Designed for single use only. Extended use increases risk of leaching and bacterial growth / Textiles, including clothing and carpet; film, food, and beverage containers; luggage.
/ High density polyethylene (HDPE) / (-CH2-CH2-)n / Beverage and food bottles and containers; dish and laundry detergent bottles; grocery, trash and retail bags / 26 percent / Appears to be Safe / Nonfood containers, including laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, and motor oil bottles; plastic lumber, pipe, buckets, crates, flower pots, film, recycling bins, floor tiles.
/ Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) / (-CH2-CHCl-)n / Food and non-food packaging; medical tubing; siding, window frames, floor tiles and carpet backing / less than 1 percent / Avoid Nicknamed the Poison Plastic, contains many dangerous toxins / Packaging, loose-leaf binders, decking, paneling, gutters, mud flaps, film, floor tiles and mats, electrical equipment, traffic cones, garden hoses, mobile home skirting
/ Low density polyethylene (LDPE) / ( - CH2 - CH2 - )n / Dry cleaning, bread and frozen food bags, squeezable bottles / less than 1 percent / Appears to be Safe / Shipping envelopes, garbage can liners, floor tile, plastic lumber, film, compost bins, trash cans
/ Polypropylene (PP) / (-CHCH3-CH2-)n / Food and medicine containers and bottles / 9 percent / Appears to be Safe / Automobile battery cases, signal lights, brooms, brushes, ice scrapers, oil funnels, bicycle racks, rakes
/ Polystyrene (PS) / (-CHC6H5-CH2-)n / Cups, plates, cutlery, compact disc jackets, egg cartons / (data not available) / Avoid May leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen. May be a hormone disruptor / Thermometers, light switch plates, thermal insulation, egg cartons, vents, rulers, license plate frames, foam packing and dishware
/ Other (often polycarbonate (PC)) / Reusable water bottles, beverage and food bottles / (data not available) / Concern with leaching of Bisphenol A which appears to cause chromosomal damage / Bottles, plastic lumber
References :
Polyethylene
Recycling Plastics
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Recycling Symbols on Plastics
Plastics recycling information sheet
Plastic recycling tips
Paper & Plastic Recycling Information
brgov.com/recycle/paperandplastic.htm
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