The Many Types of Plastic & Their Uses

The Many Types of Plastic & Their Uses We all know that plastic is used all over the world and revolutionised many industries, but do you know how different the types of plastic can be, what their strengths and weakness are, and their specialist uses? There are 7 main types of plastic used today, with the first type of synthetic plastic being discovered in 1907 by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland. Each plastic has a range of properties and uses that make it a practical material to be used in a wide range of industries, from children’s toys to construction. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) This is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is one of the most commonly used plastics around the world and makes up 96% of all plastic bottles and containers in the US. This type of plastic is widely used for plastic bottles, jars, combs, food packaging, rope, bean bags, and carpet. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) This is a versatile and heavy-duty plastic and is the most commonly recycled as it won’t break under exposure to extreme heat or cold. High-Density Polyethylene is most commonly used for products such as milk jugs, plastic containers, plastic bags, and toys and can even be repurposed to create crates and fencing. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) PVC is a strong, versatile plastic that can be manufactured into a rigid or flexible form. This plastic can be used for products such as pipes, plastic bags, cling film, shoes, gutters, window frames, and flooring. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Low-Density Polyethylene is a soft, flexible, and lightweight plastic that is most commonly used for products such as cling film, plastic bags, frozen food bags, wiring and cables, and pipes. Polypropylene (PP) Polypropylene is one of the most durable types of plastic and is more heat resistant than others. It is most commonly used for plastic containers, disposable cups and plates, and bottle caps. Polystyrene or Styrofoam These are lightweight, fragile, and waterproof plastics and are used for disposable cups, plastic cutlery, packing peanuts, packing foam, and plastic food boxes and can even be used as insulation in buildings. Miscellaneous Plastics or “Other” This category of plastic is for plastic materials that don’t fit into the other categories or are a combination of multiple types. They usually make up products such as glasses, baby and sports bottles, electronics, CDs and DVDs, and clear plastic cutlery. Here at Rayda, we use a range of different types of plastic during our production process. If you have any questions about the information in this blog, or about the types of materials we use, please contact our team today, and we will be more than happy to help.

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