What Do You Know About Plastic Containers

What Do You Know About Plastic Containers
What Do You Know About Plastic Containers
Anonim

Absolutely unknowingly by most people, we are surrounded by different types and shapes of plastic tools. If we look around, we will notice that the envelopes, most cooking and beauty appliances, even our toothbrush are made of plastic.

Each plastic product must have a triangle with a certain number in it - from 1 to 7. This is a symbol for recycling and shows exactly what plastic is used and how to recycle after use.

Here are the common types of plastics used in everyday life, their main characteristics, as well as the extent to which certain plastics are harmful:

Plastic recycling
Plastic recycling

Number 1 - polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE). It is used mainly in the production of bottles for mineral water, carbonated and soft drinks, cough syrups, adhesive tape, biscuit packaging, polyester fibers.

Number 2 - high density polyethylene (HDPE) - Again for bottles, shopping bags, freezer bags, milk bottles, irrigation pipelines for agricultural products, waste bins, imitation wood, boxes for ice cream and juices, packaging for shampoo and detergents, mineral water caps, etc.

Number 3 - polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) - Mainly in the manufacture of bottles for storage of non-food products, packaging for cosmetics, blisters, insulation of electrical appliances, pipelines, sewers, fences, windows, flooring.

Not on plastic
Not on plastic

Number 4 - low density polyethylene (PELD or LDPE) - Represents low density polyethylene and is widely used in the manufacture of disposable bags, various containers, dispensers for liquid soaps, soft bottles, shampoo packaging, detergents, etc., household foil, cosmetic packaging, laboratory equipment, etc.

Number 5 - polypropylene (PP) - Mostly for straws, dishes for microwave ovens, garden plastics, cups, food containers, household utensils, packaging of salads, biscuits and more. confectionery and pasta, buckets for yogurt and fruit milks, diapers.

Number 6 - polystyrene (PS) - Disposable coffee cups, home food boxes, flower pots, toys, video and audio cassettes, ashtrays, ventilation pipes, CD / DVD boxes, imitation glass cups, video and audio cassettes, and others.

6.1. - polystyrene (PS-E) - A subspecies from which foam cups for hot drinks, containers for hot food, protection against breakage of fine elements are produced.

Plastic toys
Plastic toys

Number 7 - other (OTHER or O) - This type of plastic is used for the production of baby bottles, reusable water bottles, food storage boxes, medical packaging.

Number 9 or ABS - Mostly in the production of monitors, TV cases, coffee machines, mobile phones, most computer components.

There are a number of other types used in the production of more specific products.

Of these, the ones that must be avoided are numbers 3 (PVC), 6 (PS) and 7 (PC). The emollients they contain are called "ptalates" and affect a person's hormonal balance. During the production of these packages, dioxin is released, which is a powerful carcinogen and in addition causes hormonal abnormalities.

Perhaps the most dangerous is number 6 - polystyrene. In our country, however, even well-known brands of yogurt are distributed in plastic buckets made of this material. Most toys are made of PVC plastic, which makes them potentially dangerous for children.

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