How many different types of plastic are there?
There are many types of plastic. Plastic must be sorted by type for recycling since each type melts at a different temperature and has different properties. The plastics industry has developed an identification system (or identification codes) to label the different types of plastic. The identification system divides plastic into seven distinct types and uses a number code generally found on the bottom of containers. The following table explains the seven code system: Plastic No. 1 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE) Description: Plastic No. 1 (PET, PETE) is clear, tough, and has good gas and moisture barrier properties and is resistance to heat. Common Uses: Plastic soft drink, water, sports drink, beer, mouthwash, catsup and salad dressing bottles, peanut butter, pickle, jelly and jam jars, prepared food trays and film that is used to cook frozen foods and roast. Commonly used in soft drink bottles and many injection molded consumer product containers. Other applications include s
