Uses Of Plastic

Recycled plastic can be used in almost as many applications and products as prime plastic - for example packaging, construction and automotive products.

Packaging : Recycled PET and HDPE is increasingly used in primary packaging by retailers and branded manufacturers for bottles and trays.

Household names such as Coca Cola, M&S, Boots, The Body Shop, Innocent Drinks and Halfords all currently use recycled plastic in selected product lines.Use of recycled plastic helps demonstrate a commitment to sustainable resource use.

Construction : Recycled plastic is widely used in mainstream construction products such as damp proof membrane, drainage pipes, ducting and flooring. It is also used in innovative products such as scaffolding boards or kerbstones, where its durability and weight has significant Health & Safety benefits.

Textile fibre / clothing : Polyester fleece clothing and polyester filling for duvets, coats etc is frequently made from recycled PET bottles (e. g. soft drink and water bottles). Polyester fibre is the largest single market for recycled PET bottles worldwide.

Street furniture : Street furniture, seating, bins, street signs and planters are frequently made from plastic. They are cost competitive and resistant to vandalism.Local authorities and schools are able to demonstrate recycling in action by specifying recycled products.

Bin liners/ refuse sacks : Plastic film from sources such as pallet wrap, carrier bags, and agricultural film are made into new film products such as bin liners, carrier bags and refuse sacks on a large scale.

Source : www.wrap.org.uk/content/uses-recycled-plastic

Making Of Plastic

Most plastics are made from crude oil (coal and natural gas can also be used), Crude oil is found deep underground and by drilling deep down into the rock oil is brought to the surface and then shipped or piped from the producing regions to refi neriesThe crude oil is then refi ned to make petrol, diesel and motor oils for cars and lorries.

Out of every 100 litres of oil refi ned, 10 litres are used to make plastic.Everything is made up from tiny particles called atoms. To make plastics, the atoms that make up oil are pulled apart and separated. They are then joined back together in long thin chains of atoms called polymers.

By changing the order of the atoms in the polymer chains, different kinds of plastic can be produced, Plastic is then moulded into thousands of different shapes. There are three main ways of moulding plastic, by injection, heat or being blown.

Source : essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/si/esi/content/binaries/documents/Service_Areas/Eco_Schools/Chapter_7_Plastics.pdf