Plastics

Acetal

An organic compound formed by the condensation of two alcohol molecules with aldehyde molecule. Acetal plastic is commonly used as an alternative to metals in things like mechanical gears, electrical components, automotive products, and sports equipment.

Acrylic ♹

A type of plastic made from acrylic acid commonly found in lenses, paint, medical devices, and LCD screens.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) ♹

A common thermoplastic used to make molded products such as pipe, automotive body parts, wheel covers, and protective head gear.

Agriculture bags/film

Used to protect crops and plants in open fields or greenhouses throughout their life cycle.

Commingled Resins

Recovered plastic bottles and jugs not sorted by color or resin type.

Film/Bags (HDPE & LDPE)

Bags used for shopping, fresh produce, household garbage, frozen food, and bulk ice.

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) ♸

An amorphous thermoplastic material, used in lower heat applications. It is categorized as a standard material, and offers ease of processing, high impact strength, and stiffness.

High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) – blow molded ♴

A polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum. Milk jugs and other hollow goods manufactured through blow molding are the most important application area for HDPE.

High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) – injection molded ♴

A resin found typically in pellet form, intended to be used in injection molding applications designed to withstand high impact, possess high-stress crack resistance, and have extreme durability.

Industrial Plastics

Often used in things for construction, textiles, transportation, and industrial machinery.

Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) ♶

Used for manufacturing various containers, dispensing and squeeze bottles, and plastic parts of computer components.

Medium-density Polyethylene (MDPE) ♴

Used for gas pipes, water and wastewater plumbing designs, sewage, and drainage, steel pipe coating, wiring and cables, and shrink films.

Multilayer Resins

Made of several different types of plastic layered together to ensure no particles can pass from the environment into the packaged goods.

Nitrile (gloves)

An organic cyanide containing the group CN which on hydrolysis yields an acid with elimination of ammonia.

Non-Chlorinated Plastics

Plastic materials made without chlorine.

Nylon ♹

Some everyday items that contain nylon are fishing nets and plastic scraps.

Olefin (PE/PP)

A synthetic fiber used to make many different products including carpet.

Polycarbonate ♹

A synthetic resin in which the polymer units are linked through carbonate groups, including many molding materials and films. Commonly used for plastic lenses in eyewear, protective gear, and exterior lighting fixtures.

Polyethylene (PE) ♳

A tough, light, flexible synthetic resin made by polymerizing ethylene, chiefly used for plastic bags, food containers, and other packaging.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) ♳

A synthetic resin made by copolymerizing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, widely used to make polyester fibers.

Polypropylene (PP) ♷

A synthetic resin that is a polymer of propylene, used especially for ropes, fabrics, and molded objects.

Polystyrene (PS) ♸

A synthetic resin which is a polymer of styrene, used chiefly as lightweight rigid foams and films.

Polyurethane

A synthetic resin in which the polymer units are linked by urethane groups, used chiefly as constitutes of paints, varnishes, adhesives, and foams.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) ♵

A tough chemically resistant synthetic resin made by polymerizing vinyl chloride and used for a wide variety of products including pipes, flooring, and sheeting.

Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) ♹

Refer to polymer/filler blends usually consisting of some fraction of a thermoplastic, an elastomer or rubber, and usually a filler. Outdoor applications such as roofing frequently contain TPO because it does not degrade under solar UV radiation.