{"id":6227,"date":"2022-01-01T12:05:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-01T10:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alber.es\/blog\/how-many-types-of-plastics-are-there-in-the-market\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T18:25:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T16:25:44","slug":"how-many-types-of-plastics-are-there-in-the-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/blog\/how-many-types-of-plastics-are-there-in-the-market\/","title":{"rendered":"How many types of plastics are there in the market?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In our daily life we find an infinity of<strong> products made with plastic materials<\/strong>. Each material comes in different presentations, moreover its use interferes depending on the <g id=\"gid_1\">type of plastic<\/g> it is. Each <strong>plastic object<\/strong> in our home has a different composition.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If we talk about this material, we must also talk about its great <strong>importance in the recycling of plastics<\/strong>, since each type of <strong>plastic<\/strong> has different characteristics and the way it is recycled also influences the way it is recycled.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">En Pl\u00e1sticos Alber somos una<a href=\"https:\/\/alber.es\/la-empresa\/\"><strong> empresa de fabricaci\u00f3n de productos pl\u00e1sticos<\/strong><\/a>, queremos ense\u00f1aros cu\u00e1les son las <strong>propiedades de los tipos de pl\u00e1sticos m\u00e1s usados<\/strong> y consejos para su reciclaje.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Most common types of plastics used<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plastic is a material that appeared in the 19th century, and after many researches and tests, it has been modified and adapted to the existing demand of the moment. That is why we find different types of plastics, depending on their nature (natural and synthetic) or how they are structured internally (thermoplastics, thermosets or elastomers). <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although nowadays, Spain and all countries have <strong>policies for the recycling and reduction of plastic products<\/strong>, the reality is that it is still essential to live. Now, let&#8217;s know <strong>which are the most used types of plastics<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PET<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PET<\/strong> or also known as<strong> polyethylene terephthalate<\/strong> is used in bottles and beverages such as water. It is a product used to create lightweight containers. It stands out for its high transparency and for its ability to accept colorants. It is also impermeable and provides a good barrier to moisture and CO2.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the<strong> most common types of plastics on the market<\/strong>, 11% of <strong>PET plastic waste<\/strong> is produced on the planet. It can take between 500 and 1000 years to decompose completely. They are very easy to recycle to produce new bottles, clothing, yarn, rope, etc.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/alber.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/reciclaje-botellas.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alber.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/reciclaje-botellas.jpg 720w, https:\/\/alber.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/reciclaje-botellas-600x367.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PVC<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PVC<\/strong> or <strong>polyvinyl<\/strong> is characterized by its high strength and durability. It is the <strong>most widely used plastic<\/strong> for insulating electrical cables and for the manufacture of pipes, furniture, bank cards, etc. It has an infinite number of uses, since it is the most versatile plastic derivative. Depending on its production, it can be rigid or flexible.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is one of the<strong> most difficult types of plastic to recycle<\/strong> and involves 5% of plastic waste. When reusable, household items and outdoor furniture are produced. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HDPE<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>HDPE<\/strong> or <strong>high density polyethylene<\/strong> is very flexible and resistant to chemicals. It is often used for the manufacture of containers such as milk, cleaning products and oils. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is a <strong>sustainable plastic material<\/strong>, since most of its products can be recycled to make new containers, pots, furniture, among others. There is 14% of <strong>HDPE plastic waste<\/strong> produced <strong>on the planet<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LDPE<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LDPE<\/strong> or <strong>low density polyethylene<\/strong> is highly resistant and very flexible. It stands out for its transparency depending on the thickness. It is the material used to manufacture shopping bags, film and bubble wrap.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is a <strong>highly recycled plastic material<\/strong> and the same original products are manufactured. On the planet we can find 20% of waste, in nature it takes up to 150 years to decompose. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/alber.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/plastico-ldpe.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alber.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/plastico-ldpe.jpg 720w, https:\/\/alber.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/plastico-ldpe-600x367.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PS<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PS<\/strong> or <strong>polystyrene <\/strong>is the most polluting plastic. It is one of the non-biodegradable types of plastics, although many <g id=\"gid_2\">companies in the plastics industry<\/g> are researching to replace it. It is found in <g id=\"gid_3\">thermal plastic materials<\/g> such as food trays, egg cups, household appliances, among others. It is a difficult material to recycle, but it can be used to create insulation, office material and pots. The planet contains 6% of <strong>polystyrene plastic waste<\/strong>.    <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PP<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PP<\/strong> or <strong>polypropylene<\/strong> is a plastic characterized by its high resistance to heat sources and chemical products. That is why it is used for food packaging, fabric fibers, car parts, caps, refrigerators, among others. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is very easy and adaptable to be recycled and products such as chairs, textiles, transport containers, etc. can be created. It accounts for 19% of the <strong>plastic waste<\/strong> discarded on the planet. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We hope this article has helped you to learn more about the <strong>types of plastics available on the market<\/strong> and their impact on the planet. We should always strive to protect and promote a cleaner world, making a <g id=\"gid_1\">more sustainable consumption<\/g>. Betting on recycling in our homes to <strong>reduce the amount of plastics<\/strong> that end up in landfills, seas or land.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In our daily life we find an infinity of products made with plastic materials. Each material comes in different presentations, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3910,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[95,237,240],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-horticulture","category-industrial","category-others"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6227"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9225,"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6227\/revisions\/9225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alber.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}