Chloe Zhang
Plastic is everywhere, from our homes to our cars, and it comes in many different forms. The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907, and since then, dozens of different types of plastics have been produced. Plastic is composed of chains of polymers and additives, which are chemicals blended to improve performance or appearance. Some types of plastic are safer and more recyclable than others, and some are more harmful to the environment and human health. With plastic consumption varying across the world, it is important to understand the differences between the types of plastic and their impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of types of plastic | 7 |
| Recyclability | Varies by type of plastic |
| Recycling codes | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Safer recycling codes | 2, 4, 5 |
| Avoid recycling codes | 1, 3, 6, 7 |
| Additives | Yes |
| Average number of additives in a plastic product | 20 |
| Additive purpose | Improve performance or appearance |
| Plastic manufacturing companies in China in 2016 | Over 15,000 |
| Global plastics market in 2017 | Dominated by thermoplastics |
| Common types of plastic | Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylic, Polyurethane (PURs) |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite |
| Plastic consumption | Varies by country and community |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic recycling codes
Plastic is everywhere, and it comes in many different types with unique properties. In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, which categorised plastic resins into seven categories to facilitate recycling. These categories are marked by the familiar chasing arrows symbol along with a number inside, known as the plastic recycling code.
- PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): PET is the fourth-most produced synthetic plastic polymer and is easily recyclable. It has excellent chemical resistance to organic materials and water and is practically shatterproof. It is used in food and liquid containers, clothing fibres, engineering resins, and carbon nanotubes.
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): HDPE is a durable, hard plastic that can withstand most solvents. It is commonly used for cleaning or personal care products and milk bottles. It has a high market value and can be recycled multiple times.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC is a durable plastic that is not easily impacted by sunlight, water, or harsh conditions. It can be manufactured to be rigid or flexible. It is used in construction materials, doors, windows, bottles, and non-food packaging. However, PVC is not easily recyclable and should be avoided when possible.
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): LDPE is a lightweight and flexible plastic used in most soft plastic products, such as plastic bags, six-pack rings, containers, and plastic wraps. It is less toxic than other plastics, making it popular for food use, but it is often only used for single-use applications and is difficult to recycle.
- Polypropylene: This is the second-most widely produced commodity plastic, known for its durability, flexibility, heat resistance, and acid resistance. It is used in laboratory equipment, automotive parts, medical devices, Tupperware, car parts, thermal vests, yogurt containers, and disposable diapers.
- Polystyrene: Polystyrene can be solid or foamed and is inexpensive and easy to create. It is found in beverage cups, insulation, packing materials, egg cartons, and disposable dinnerware, often under the commercial name Styrofoam. However, it is not biodegradable, highly inflammable, and can leach harmful chemicals when heated.
- Other Plastics: This category includes all other types of plastics that do not fit into the above categories. These can include acrylic, polycarbonate, UHMWPE, and more. Some of these plastics may be recyclable, but it varies depending on the specific type and local recycling capabilities.
It is important to note that not all plastics with the chasing arrows symbol are recyclable, and the onus is on consumers to understand the numbers and properly sort their recyclables. Additionally, recycling capabilities can vary by location, so it is essential to check with local guidelines to ensure proper recycling practices.
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Plastic additives
Additives are essential to the functionality of plastics, enhancing their longevity, safety, cleanliness, toughness and aesthetic appeal. They also help to reduce production costs and conserve raw materials by making products last longer. Additives can provide protective characteristics to plastics, such as flame retardancy, and guard against weather conditions and exposure to UV light or water.
The use of additives is a complex process, as introducing too many variables can negatively impact the performance of the plastic. For example, increasing the melt flow of a material will decrease its impact, so an impact modifier must be added to counteract this effect. Testing is therefore vital to ensure the correct ratios are used in production.
There are many different types of additives, including antioxidants, plasticizers, flame retardants, heat stabilizers, internal lubricants, light stabilizers, pigments, and more.
The use of additives in plastics has come under scrutiny due to concerns over the potential health and environmental risks posed by the chemical substances used in plastic production. However, information on these substances is limited and scattered, and many are not adequately regulated.
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Biodegradable plastics
Plastic consumption differs among countries and communities, with some form of plastic having made its way into most people's lives. There are dozens of different types of plastics, each with unique properties. Some types of plastic are reusable and others aren't due to the chemicals they contain; some can be recycled and others need to be disposed of differently.
There are two classes of biodegradable plastics: bioplastics, whose components are derived from renewable raw materials, and plastics made from petrochemicals with biodegradable additives that enhance biodegradation. Bioplastics are not synonymous with biodegradable plastics—not all bioplastics are biodegradable, and some biodegradable plastics are fully petroleum-based.
However, the use of biodegradable plastics is financially viable only in the context of specific regulations limiting the usage of conventional plastics. Many biodegradable plastics are designed to degrade in industrial composting systems, which requires a well-managed waste system. If these plastics are discarded into conventional waste streams such as landfills, they may contaminate other recyclable plastics.
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have invented a way to make compostable plastics break down more easily, with just heat and water, within a few weeks. They embedded an enzyme called proteinase K into PLA (polylactic acid) plastic, which biodegrades to simple molecules, making it a promising alternative to non-degradable plastic.
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Plastic microbeads
Microbeads are a cheap ingredient and are used as an abrasive or exfoliant, a bulking agent, to prolong shelf life, or for the controlled release of active ingredients. However, they have been found to cause plastic particle water pollution and pose an environmental hazard for aquatic animals in freshwater and ocean water. When washed down the drain, they often pass unfiltered through sewage treatment plants and make their way into rivers and canals. They can absorb and concentrate pollutants like pesticides and polycyclic hydrocarbons.
A variety of wildlife, from insect larvae to birds and larger mammals, mistake microbeads for their food source. This ingestion of plastics introduces the potential for toxicity to these animals and other species higher in the food chain. Due to their harmful effects, there have been efforts to ban or phase out microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics and personal care products. In 2015, the United States passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act, which phased out microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics by July 2017. Several other countries have also banned microbeads, including Canada, France, New Zealand, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
To reduce the impact of microbeads, it is important to prevent them from entering the environment. Natural alternatives to microbeads, such as ground-up almonds, oatmeal, sea salt, and coconut husks, can be used as exfoliants and do not have an environmental impact when washed down the drain.
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Plastic safety
Plastic is everywhere, and it comes with hidden costs. Many plastics contain harmful chemicals that can leach into food and drinks, increasing exposure to substances with known health risks. Plastic also contributes to long-lasting environmental pollution.
To reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals, it is recommended to avoid using certain types of plastic containers, especially for storing food and drink. It is best to avoid heating plastics, and it is recommended to avoid handling store receipts more than necessary. Exposure to plastic toys should also be reduced, especially for young children who often put toys in their mouths, increasing their risk of chemical exposure. Plastic toys may include toxic chemical contaminants from recycled feedstock. It is advised to choose toys made from unpainted wood, cloth, plush, or games and puzzles made of paper.
It is also important to understand the different types of plastics and their safety profiles. For example, polypropylene (PP) is the second most widely produced commodity plastic and is hard and sturdy. It is commonly used in food storage containers, yogurt containers, straws, and other clouded plastic containers. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), on the other hand, is not considered safe for cooking or heating as it contains softening chemicals called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development. It is also rarely accepted by recycling programs. Polystyrene, often known by its commercial name Styrofoam, is highly inflammable and can leach harmful chemicals, especially when heated. It is also among the worst types of plastic for the environment as it is not biodegradable and can be mistaken as food by animals.
To make informed decisions about plastic usage, it is important to familiarize oneself with the different types of plastics and their potential health and environmental impacts. While it is challenging to avoid plastics entirely, taking simple steps such as choosing safer alternative materials and reducing plastic use, especially in the kitchen, can help protect health and the environment.
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