Different types of recycled plastic are used to make various products, such as HDPE for rigid containers and LDPE for flexible plastics. PET is used for soda bottles and Eco-Fi for fabrics. Recycling plastic saves energy and reduces environmental risks, but most plastic water bottles end up in landfills.
Recycled plastic is used to make different types of products. The type of product that is made from recycled plastic depends on the type of plastic resin. There are different types of plastic resin used to make different products. For example, HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, is very strong and is used to make rigid plastic containers such as milk jugs, film, piping, and beverage bottles. When it is recycled, it is made into pipes, buckets, motor oil bottles and detergent containers.
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is used to make flexible plastics, such as garment bags, grocery and trash bags, some lids and bottles, typewriter tape, bottles, and squeezable toys. It is strong, yet flexible and somewhat transparent. Once recycled, it can be made into pallets or new garbage bags.
PET, or coated polyethylene, is from semi-rigid to rigid, depending on the thickness. It is a good barrier method, especially for use in soda bottles. PET can be produced in a thin film, such as that used to manufacture Mylar. It is also used for flexible food packaging. When recycled, it is made into fiberglass, carpet or non-food containers and bottles.
A polyester fiber called Eco-Fi, or EcoSpun, was developed from plastic bottles and is used to make various fabrics. Dresses made of plastic are now available. It can also be used for home decor, bedspreads and carpet.
Other companies have come up with innovative new ways to reuse plastic. One company has developed a mobile phone out of recycled plastic and another has created a garden composter out of 100% recycled plastic. Another company specializes in making custom signs from recycled plastic.
Recycling materials consumes much less energy than creating them. Between seven and eight percent of the earth’s fossil fuels are used to make plastics. By recycling just one plastic bottle, we’re able to save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for six hours. As the world becomes greener and environmental risks increase, we can expect continued growth in the reuse of plastics for our daily needs.
Plastic is a recyclable material, but most don’t end up being recycled. As plastic water bottles have become a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to have drinking water on hand, they have contributed just as much to landfills. About 38 billion water bottles are thrown away each year and only about 20 percent are recycled. Since the process of decomposition of plastic in landfill does not start for about 700 years, it is important to recycle this material in an environmentally friendly way in order to be able to reuse it.
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