By: The Plastic Soup Foundation
https://bit.ly/2E6VVaH
The Plastic Soup Foundation take a look closely at the different types of plastics in the market and what we need to know about each one.
The amount of plastic produced in the world has consistently increased since 1950. Since it was invented, the amount of plastic has increased to 311 billion kilos in 2014. This amount will double in the next 20 years to 622 billion kilos. There are also many different types of plastic.
This article by the Plastic Soup Foundation goes more deeply into the types of plastic.
What is plastic?
Plastics are polymers. These are large molecules that are formed by chains of smaller molecules called monomers. The properties of plastic depend on the length of the polymers. For example Polyethylene (PE) has long chains of polymers and is hard and rigid. The chemical industry produces different types of plastic. There are seven primary groups.
In 1988 The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) created a coding system that assists recyclers with the recycling of plastics. Virtually all plastic products have the recycling symbol (a triangle of arrows). The number inside the triangle indicates the type of synthetic:
Recyclingcode
Pet 1 =PET bottles for soft drinks. Is relatively safe. You should not refill PET bottles as the risk of additives leakage increases.
HDPE 2 =
plastic containers and pipes. Is considered safe and is easy to recycle
PVC 3 =
sewage pipes and synthetic window frames. Is to be avoided. In the manufacturing process the toxic dioxin is released and softeners are often added.
LDPE 4 =
soft plastics such as cling film, plastic drycleaner covers, carry bags. Is considered safe.
PP5 =
plastic furniture, jerry cans, car parts, bottle tops. Is considered safe.
PS6 =
disposable cups, meat trays, packaging for electronics. is to be avoided because of possible leakage of styrene.
Code 7 =
is a miscellaneous category that nobody can do anything with.
Notes on the Recycling Code
The number in the triangle symbol of the above codes suggests that plastic is been recycled by category of product. In reality this is not the case (yet).
Whereas the number indicates the type of synthetic, it does not tell its durability, form or consistency. For example the same type of synthetic can be used for plastic bags or bottles.
Not every type of plastic can be adequately recycled and only a low percentage of plastic is in fact recycled.
The regulations that reflect the symbols leave much to be desired. Often the symbols are punched in too small, are hard to find and difficult to read (especially when the plastic is transparent).
Code 7 is a miscellaneous category that nobody can do anything with.
Recycling code and plastic soup
On 14 February 2013 an article was published in the science magazine Nature in which it was suggested to classify as harmful substances those types of plastics that are made of toxic materials and which are the most difficult to recycle. Named were PVC (code 3), polystyrene (code 6), polyurethane and polycarbonate (both code 7). In the United States a number of cities have banned polystyrene (mostly known as styrofoam). This insulating plastic is used especially in the fast food industry for packaging. Much ends up as litter and breaks up quickly.
As long as certain plastics and/or additives are not prohibited, it is for consumers to use the recycling codes to decide what types of plastic they want to purchase or not.
For plastics fished out of the ocean (as by fishing for litter) the codes are of no use. In the ocean plastic breaks up into smaller fragments, is subject to fouling deposits and the code becomes quickly unreadable.
Text by: Plastic Soup Foundation
https://bit.ly/2IOqvVi
