Plastic Types

PET: Polyethylene terephthalate

PET is the most used type of plastic for food and beverage packaging, but is also found extensively in various sorts of medical packaging. PET is fully reusable, and unlike other plastics types, its properties can be retained during the recycling process.

The health and environmental risks connected with PET arise from the toxins, monomers and effects that are produced during the extraction of raw materials, as well as energy usage during production.  The food industry especially, has a huge consumption of non-reusable packaging made from PET, an example being disposable containers for salads and sandwiches in canteens.

HDPE (also known as PE-HD): High density polyethylene

Polyethylene is one of the most produced types of plastic. Polyethylene has the fewest toxic effects in its lifecycle  PE is made on the basis of natural gas, as well as from the extraction of natural gas, which is also a fossil resource. This has a large impact on the geographical areas the gas is extracted from, especially if its extraction is in sensitive places like the Artic. HDPE is typically found in packaging for “special nutrient mixtures”, or dialysis and intravenous fluids.

PVC (also known as V): Polyvinyl chloride

PVC is also produced in large amounts and is the most toxic plastic type with dire risks in both its production, usage and disposal. PVC contains chloride, a carcinogen, and the processing of PVC can require use of mercury and asbestos. Both the production and incineration of PVC create toxic dioxins and sulphur dioxides.

It is necessary to add dangerous additives, like phthalates, into soft PVC to make it a usable product.

Soft PVC is almost never reused. Nevertheless, a substantial amount is still found in food wrapping film, and in a few tubes, especially tubes for new-borns and premature born babies. This is something of a paradox, since new-born babies are particularly sensitive to products containing PVC.

LDPE (also known as PE-LD): Low density polyethylene

LDPE, chemically, is the same as HDPE but undergoes a slightly different production process to make it into a lighter and more flexible product. Plastic bags are typically made from LDPE. LDPE is cheap, reusable and very low in toxicity. LDPE, in the healthcare industry, is found mostly as transport wrapping on pallets and in many peel-packs, which often constitutes the primary packaging for many sterile products.

PP: Polypropylene

Much like polyethylene, polypropylene is produced in huge amounts, and constitutes a low toxic risk level throughout its lifecycle, except during the extraction of oil, its raw material. PP is reusable and has many usages, among other things, rinsing fluids packaged in PP bottling.

PS: Polystyrene

Polystyrene, or EPS, (expanded polystyrene) – sometimes known as styrofoam – has very high isolating qualities and is broadly used in construction, food packaging, and medical packaging. The material used for the production of polystyrene is highly toxic during the production phase, but not during daily usage. Disposable cups and food packaging made from EPS have been banned from the EU from 2021. Disposable cups for vending machines and thermo cups, often found in hospitals, and used by patients, visitors and staff, are often made from polystyrene.

Other – the number in the triangle can be 7-19

This category contains many types of plastic that do not appear in the other categories. Plastics in this category are typically non-reusable because they are a mixture of different plastic types.