Plastic Grades

The 7 different Grades of Plastic

If you would like to understand the different grades of plastics, we have created a guide that can be viewed below, for easy reference.

GRADE

PROPERTIES

EXAMPLES

RECYCLED PRODUCTS

1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

Clarity, toughness, barrier to gas and moisture, heat resistant, sinks in water.

Water bottles, food jars, ovenable film, packaging.

Fibres, drink bottles.

2. High density polyethylene (HDPE)

Toughness, resistance to moisture and chemicals, ease of processing, permeability to gas, floats in water.

Thin products e.g. milk containers, juice bottles, butter tubs, cereal bags, rubbish bags, wheelie bins, caps and closures.

Plastic crates, recycling bins, agricultural pipes, pallets.

3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness, versatility, resistance to grease, oil and chemicals, sinks in water.

Bottles for storing cleaning products, plumbing pipes, medical products, building windows.

Pipes, packaging.

4. Low density polyethylene (LDPE)

Ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, barrier to moisture, floats in water.

Usually thin and pliable e.g. shopping bags, squeeze bottles, disposable gloves, frozen food containers, caps and closures.

Plastic bags, dispensing bottles, tubing.

5. Polypropylene (PP)

Strength, toughness, resistance to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, versatility, barrier to moisture, floats in water.

Condiment bottles, medicine bottles, straws, bottle caps, tupperware, caps and closures, buckets.

Rubbish bins, auto parts, industrial fibres, pots, trays, tubs, crates, pallets.

6. Polystyrene (PS)

Versatility, insulation, clarity, easily formed, sinks in water.

Disposable cups, cutlery, food boxes, packaging foam.

Pots, tubs, trays.

7. Miscellaneous

Comprises plastics that are not defined by the other 6 grades. Normally sinks in water.

A large variety of plastics e.g. baby bottles, compact discs, storage containers, number plates.

Car parts, pallets, storage racking.