Plastic
Identification
Code

Name of plastic

Description

Some uses for virgin plastic

Some uses for plastic made from recycled waste plastic

polyethylene
terephthalate
PET

Clear tough plastic, may be used as a fibre.

Soft drink and mineral water bottles, filling for sleeping bags and pillows, textile fibres.

Soft drink bottles, (multi-layer) detergent bottles, clear film for packaging, carpet fibres, fleecy jackets.

high density
polyethylene
HDPE

Very common plastic, usually white or coloured.

Crinkly shopping bags, freezer bags, milk and cream bottles, bottles for shampoo and cleaners, milk crates.

Compost bins, detergent bottles, crates, mobile rubbish bins, agricultural pipes, pallets, kerbside recycling crates.

unplasticised
polyvinyl chloride
UPVC

Hard rigid plastic, may be clear.

Clear cordial and juice bottles, blister packs, plumbing pipes and fittings.

Detergent bottles, tiles, plumbing pipe fittings.

plasticised polyvinyl
chloride
PPVC

Flexible, clear, elastic plastic.

Garden hose, shoe soles, blood bags and tubing.

Hose inner core, industrial flooring.

low density
polyethylene
LDPE

Soft, flexible plastic.

Lids of icecream containers, garbage bags, garbage bins, black plastic sheet.

Film for builders, industry, packaging and plant nurseries, bags.

polypropylene PP

Hard, but flexible plastic - many uses.

Icecream containers, potato crisp bags, drinking straws, hinged lunch boxes.

Compost bins, kerbside recycling crates, worm factories.

polystyrene PS

Rigid, brittle plastic. May be clear,glassy.

Yoghurt containers, plastic cutlery, imitation crystal "glassware".

Clothes pegs, coat hangers, office accessories, spools, rulers, video/CD boxes.

EPS

Foamed, lightweight, energy absorbing, thermal insulation

Hot drink cups, takeaway food containers, meat trays, packaging.

other

Includes all other plastics, including acrylic and nylon.