Environmental sustainability is everyone’s responsibility, which is why it’s important to know what kind of plastic is being used in your products, blow molded or not. There are several major types of plastic used in blow molding today, with varying degrees of recyclability; however, the short answer is, the level of recyclability depends on the type of plastic used.
Below, we’ll cover the major plastics used today, as well as their uses before and after recycling.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene, or PP, is the least recyclable plastic in use today, but the most common. It’s used widely, to create thin plastic films, rope, and household carpet. When recycled, it’s suitable for a number of applications, such as clothing fiber, kitchen storage, and much more. Unfortunately, only around 1% of polypropylene is recycled each year, leaving the rest to decompose in a landfill for decades if not incinerated or recycled into synthetic fuel.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene is the most commonly used resin in blow molded plastics, used for shopping bags, chemical bottles, milk bottles and much more. BPA and toxin-free, HDPE is one of the lightest plastics in terms of environmental impact due to the relatively low amount of crude oil required to produce it. The high-density characteristics make this polyethylene more resilient over years of use, further improving its sustainability. When recycled, HDPE can be repurposed into corrosion resistant pipes, plastic rope, even children’s toys!
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene Terephthalate, AKA PET, is the most commonly recycled plastic in use today. Most often used to make clear custom plastic bottles, PET is fully recyclable and often used in the same applications as the other two we discussed, though many Americans still just throw out their PET bottles in the garbage. The PET Resin Association tells us that the average American household uses 45 pounds of PET plastic alone per year!
The plastics and blow molding industries are constantly finding new ways to improve sustainability, reduce waste, and decrease energy consumption. Blow Molded Products is a part of that commitment, with state-of-the-art facilities located in Riverside, California.