Plastic 101: Understanding Types of Plastics and their Impact on the Environment

Plastic is an unavoidable part of everyday life. And it's not always a bad thing! Plastic is convenient and versatile, from packing materials to reusable water bottles to sustainable luggage made of upcycled plastic. What you may not know is that there are many types of plastic, all with different purposes, capabilities, and environmental impacts. Follow along for a high-level overview of the most common plastic types, how they impact the environment, and what the recycling challenges are.

Polythene

Properties and Common Uses

Polythene is one of the most widely used plastics globally due to its versatility, lightweight nature, durability, and cost-effectiveness. It is flexible, chemical-resistant, and water-resistant. Because of its flexibility, polythene is suitable for plastic bags, plastic films, and other packaging and wrapping materials. Other uses include pipes, insulation material, toys, kitchenware, and storage containers.

Environmental Impact and Recycling Challenges

Although polythene has many practical uses, it is frequently used in single-use plastics, which often end up in landfills or, unfortunately, in waterways. Polythene can be recycled, and many programs accept these types. However, challenges arise due to the process of recycling it due to its low melting point. This can cause issues with contamination, which reduces the value and quality of the recycled material, making it possibly unable to be molded into another item.

Polypropylene

Properties and Common Uses

It is estimated that 2.5 million tons of Polypropylene is produced yearly. The material is known for its heat resistance, durability, low density, and high melting point. Because of these characteristics, it frequently is used in packaging, textiles, medical items, and automotive parts.

Environmental Impact and Recycling Challenges

One of the challenges faced with Polypropylene is that only a few recycling facilities can process it. Because of its recycling infrastructure issues, it accumulates in landfills. Another plastic disposal challenge is that Polypropylene must be melted down at a high temperature, which can degrade the material's strength for future use. The demand for recycled Polypropylene is lower than many other recycled plastics, so pricing is also not competitive compared to other recycled plastics.

PVC

Properties and Common Uses

About 40 tons of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the third most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer, are produced yearly. It is a plastic that comes in both a solid and flexible form and is insoluble in all solvents, a good insulator, weather and temperature resistant, and with fire retarding properties. It is used in drainage pipes, medical devices, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, clothing, and footwear.

Environmental Impact and Recycling Challenges

PVC interferes with recycling other plastics, and if thrown into the landfill to sit, it eventually releases toxic additives into the ground. Recycling PVC is done by grinding the PVC into small pieces. Once cleaned, the pieces are remelted, remolded, and made into a new item.

Polystyrene

Properties and Common Uses

Polystyrene is an odorless, lightweight material. It is affordable and versatile and also has dimensional stability. While polystyrene makes up most of the plastic disposable cutlery, styrene cups, and trays, it is also widely used in retail displays.

Environmental Impact and Recycling Challenges

Polystyrene poses many threats to the environment. It is non-biodegradable, and very few recycling plants can process it. When polystyrene is exposed to prolonged sunlight (i.e., sitting in a landfill), it creates harmful air pollutants, contaminates the surrounding items in the landfill, and contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer.

Polyethylene Terephthalate

Properties and Common Uses

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is the most produced plastic in the world. It is durable, easily recyclable, shatterproof, and stain-resistant. Beverage bottles, food and toiletry packaging, textiles, and even tennis balls are all made of PET.

Environmental Impact and Recycling Challenges

While PET is recyclable, it does have its challenges in the collection and processing process. PET breaks down when exposed to certain levels of UV light and disintegrates into tiny pieces called microplastics. These microplastics frequently end up in the ocean, bays, and lakes. 

Long Story Short...

Plastics are a necessary but unavoidable thing in our current world, which makes it crucial to be a mindful consumer. Choose your plastics wisely: reusable, secondhand, or made from recycled material are all great places to start!

Written by Andrea Jeschke