Sunday 22 November 2015

Thermoform Plastics That We Use Every Day

By Lenna Stockwell


While there are many different types of plastic, this material can be broken into two main categories. This includes thermoset plastics and thermoform plastic. They sound similar, but thermoset plastics are those that really cannot be recycled and most of the thermoform plastics can be recycled. The two most commonly recycled thermoplastics include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Most of the plastic items that you purchase are marked with a resin identification code. These are simply numbers inside a triangle of arrows, and many people just think of them as recycling codes. The codes are helpful to the workers at recycling centers because they make it easier to separate different types of thermoform packaging, thermoform trays, bottles and other items by category. The two aforementioned thermoformed plastics, PET and HDPE, are marked with a one and a two, respectively. These are the thermoplastics that are the most widely accepted by curbside recycling programs.

When it comes to polyethylene terephthalate, it's far easier to just call this thermoplastic PETE or perhaps PET. Used for thermoplastic packaging and items such as thermoplastic water bottles, you should be able to find a code of 1 on all PETE or PET items. PET is accepted worldwide at the vast majority of recycling facilities, and it can be melted down and recycled into a host of helpful consumer products including carpeting and even polyester apparel.

PET has existed since the early 1940s and was developed and patented by John Rex Whinfield and his partner James Tennant Dickson, both of who were notable British chemists. PET is a polymer which is formed when you combine the monomers of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. Monomers are single molecules that can bond with other types of molecules to form polymers. Among its characteristics, this thermoplastic is known for its strength and well as its very light weight.

Our other commonly recycled thermoplastic is HDPE, which is the easier to remember name for high-density polyethylene. Like PET, this thermoplastic also can be used to make a variety of products such as containers for laundry soap and shampoos as well as milk jugs and other liquids. It's identified by the resin code 2 and usually is allowed by curbside recycling programs as well as recycling centers. While PET are the bottles we associate cashing in to receive our deposit back, deposits aren't paid for HDPE, but these thermoplastic packages and bottles definitely can be recycled.

A thermoforming company will be able to design any type of custom thermoform packaging you might need. These professionals can create all types of thermoform plastic packaging, such as thermoform trays, blister packs, clamshell packaging and packaging that combines thermoplastic with other materials. PET and HDPE might be a good material for your packaging needs, and a thermoforming company can make that determination for you.




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