When it comes to plastics, you can typically divide them up into two groups. One group is the type of plastics known as thermoset plastics and the other group is called thermoform plastics. Both are formed into products and packages using heat, but thermoform plastics can be reused again and again while thermoset plastics cannot be recycled. While virtually all thermoplastics are recyclable, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are the two kinds you most likely will see in recycling bins.
Most of the plastic items that you purchase are marked with a resin identification code. These are simply numbers inside a triangle of arrows, and many people just think of them as recycling codes. The codes are helpful to the workers at recycling centers because they make it easier to separate different types of thermoform packaging, thermoform trays, bottles and other items by category. The two aforementioned thermoformed plastics, PET and HDPE, are marked with a one and a two, respectively. These are the thermoplastics that are the most widely accepted by curbside recycling programs.
Of all of the plastics products, packages and containers out there, the type that feature the number 1 code are by far the easiest to recycle. Not only is the process of recycling easier, these are accepted in just about every recycling bin in the world. Polyethylene terephthalate, which usually is just called PETE or PET, is this plastic, and is used to create plastic water bottles among other things. After you recycle that bottle, PET can be used to create everything from plastic containers to carpeting fibers.
PET was first patented back in 1941 by British chemists John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson. Two different monomers, terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol are bonded to form this thermoplastic, which is a polymer. Monomers are simply molecules that can bond easily with other molecules. When you bond two or more molecules, the result is a polymer. PET is very lightweight, strong and safe for use with many food products and beverages, which makes it a highly practical option for many types of thermoform packaging and plastic bottles.
Our other commonly recycled thermoplastic is HDPE, which is the easier to remember name for high-density polyethylene. Like PET, this thermoplastic also can be used to make a variety of products such as containers for laundry soap and shampoos as well as milk jugs and other liquids. It's identified by the resin code 2 and usually is allowed by curbside recycling programs as well as recycling centers. While PET are the bottles we associate cashing in to receive our deposit back, deposits aren't paid for HDPE, but these thermoplastic packages and bottles definitely can be recycled.
If you are interested in having a custom thermoplastic packaging created to house your product, contact a professional thermoforming company. They will be able to create thermoplastic packaging and much more using HDPE, PET or perhaps another type of thermoplastic. It all depends on the type of product that you have and your overall packaging budget.
Most of the plastic items that you purchase are marked with a resin identification code. These are simply numbers inside a triangle of arrows, and many people just think of them as recycling codes. The codes are helpful to the workers at recycling centers because they make it easier to separate different types of thermoform packaging, thermoform trays, bottles and other items by category. The two aforementioned thermoformed plastics, PET and HDPE, are marked with a one and a two, respectively. These are the thermoplastics that are the most widely accepted by curbside recycling programs.
Of all of the plastics products, packages and containers out there, the type that feature the number 1 code are by far the easiest to recycle. Not only is the process of recycling easier, these are accepted in just about every recycling bin in the world. Polyethylene terephthalate, which usually is just called PETE or PET, is this plastic, and is used to create plastic water bottles among other things. After you recycle that bottle, PET can be used to create everything from plastic containers to carpeting fibers.
PET was first patented back in 1941 by British chemists John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson. Two different monomers, terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol are bonded to form this thermoplastic, which is a polymer. Monomers are simply molecules that can bond easily with other molecules. When you bond two or more molecules, the result is a polymer. PET is very lightweight, strong and safe for use with many food products and beverages, which makes it a highly practical option for many types of thermoform packaging and plastic bottles.
Our other commonly recycled thermoplastic is HDPE, which is the easier to remember name for high-density polyethylene. Like PET, this thermoplastic also can be used to make a variety of products such as containers for laundry soap and shampoos as well as milk jugs and other liquids. It's identified by the resin code 2 and usually is allowed by curbside recycling programs as well as recycling centers. While PET are the bottles we associate cashing in to receive our deposit back, deposits aren't paid for HDPE, but these thermoplastic packages and bottles definitely can be recycled.
If you are interested in having a custom thermoplastic packaging created to house your product, contact a professional thermoforming company. They will be able to create thermoplastic packaging and much more using HDPE, PET or perhaps another type of thermoplastic. It all depends on the type of product that you have and your overall packaging budget.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys blogging about how stuff is made. For further details about custom thermoforming or to find out more about thermoform plastics, please go to the Indepak.com website today.
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