A+-+Recycling+Plastics

** __ Q: What are the Categories of Plastics and Explain why only some are Recyclable. __ **                  **  Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)  ** ð Examples: pop, water and beer bottles, food containers, oven trays ð Recyclable: Yes ð Characteristics: inexpensive, lightweight, easy to recycle, poses no risk of leaching harmful chemicals   **  High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)  ** ð Examples: milk jugs, household cleaner bottles, trash and shopping bags, shampoo bottles ð Recyclable: Yes ð Characteristics: wax-like, more rigid, resistant to corrosion and many chemicals   **  Polyvinyl Chloride/Vinyl (PVC)  ** ð Examples: detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, clear food packaging, medical equipment ð Recyclable: Yes ð Characteristics: tough, non-flammable, resistant to moisture, fungi, and insects, releases toxins if heated   **  Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)  ** ð Examples: squeezable bottles, dry cleaning and shopping bags, clothing, furniture, carpet ð Recyclable: Yes ð Characteristics: flexible, clear, resists tearing, acts as a moisture barrier, can be heat-sealed, little to no risk of leaching harmful chemicals   **  Polypropylene (PP)  ** ð Examples: syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, caps, straws, medicine bottles ð Recyclable: Yes ð Characteristics: high melting point, thus often chosen for containers holding hot liquids; little to no risk of leaching harmful chemicals   **  Polystyrene (PS)  ** ð Examples: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, take-out containers ð Recyclable: No   ð Characteristics: can leach potential toxins into foods, especially when heated   **  Miscellaneous  ** ð Examples: hard-rigid baby bottles, 3 – 5 gallon water bottles, sunglasses, bullet-proof materials, computer cases, certain food containers, nylon ð Recyclable: Yes ð Characteristics: should not be used for drinking water (i.e. Polycarbonate, which can leach bisphenol A, a potential hormone disruptor, into liquids) ** Main Reasons Why Certain Plastics May Not Be Recycled: ** Ø Risk of contamination from other products which the plastic was originally made to old (i.e. milk from milk bags, dirt, glass, chemicals) Ø Different types of plastic resins commingling in plastic wastes used for recycling, thus lessening the properties of the plastic (i.e. strength, stiffness, chemical resistance) ** __Best Way to Deal with Plastics:__ ** ð Reduce the amount of plastics used in everyday life ð REUSE plastic bags or containers
 * Amanda Yan **

** __ Bibliography: __ ** Bortman, Marci L., Vincent T. Breslin, R.L. Swanson. (2008). Plastics. AccessScience. ©McGraw-Hill Companies. Retrieved October 10, 2010, from  Castellion, M. (2010). Plastics and Other Polymers. //The New Book of Popular Science.// Retrieved October 13, 2010, from Grolier Online      City of Toronto: Solid Waste Management. (2008, November). // Polystyrene and Film – Frequently Asked Questions. // Retrieved October 10, 2010, from < http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/bags_and_foam_faq.htm> WasteOnline. (2006, February). // Plastics Recycling Information Sheet //. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from < http://www.wasteonline.org.uk/resources/InformationSheets/Plastics.htm>