5 Types of Plastics: Materials and Grades Explained

You made it this far, but can you name the seven types of plastic? Plastic comes in many types with various materials and grades. A few of the widespread examples akin to LDPE, PE, Polyester, HDPE, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), LDE, PP and others.

Who would have guessed that plastic is more complicated than we realise? There are many plastic-types, and none of them are quite like the other. A few are reusable, others generate harmful waste materials after being used multiple times.

Bring your plastic product from the closest place, the lunch box you took from home, or your water bottle if you have it and also a noodle cup. Look closely, there might be a number on the back or bottom.

The PET or PETE or Polyester (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Polyethylene (PE) Terephthalate—PET commonly wrinkle-free fiber. It is not the plastic bag we see in the supermarket.

This most commonly plastic polymer use in the food & drink packaging to avoid oxygen mixed which leads to the spoilage of product inside. It also helps to prevent the carbonation from flatting out of your soda.

As per GMI Research, the Egypt Plastics Market is estimated to grow at a promising CAGR of 3.3% from 2025-2032

Principally, recycled PET (or R-PET) is manufactured by recycling programs using PCP and of course, antimony trioxide, with the latter literally a carcinogen interim being able to malign living tissue and cause cancer.

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) Plastic Type

One very unique to its other types, HDPE has long chains of polymer with minimal branches which makes it very dense hence producing a higher rating per area than PET.

HDPE is a type of plastic you see in grocery bags, regular milk and juice jugs, shampoo bottles, and ketchup and medicine containers.

HDPE is also more stable than PET, apart from being recyclable.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Plastic Type

Toys, blister wrap, cling wrap, detergent bottles and bags for blood; pressure mark; transportation of delicate textiles-loose-leaf binders medical tubing.

Prior to the identification of PVC as a cause for major health risks and damage to the environmental, this plastic was once again synthesized at an industrial scale which is why it has become the second most common used plastic after polyethylene.

LDPE Plastic Type (Low-Density Polyethylene)

Its molecular structure provides it with some degree of chain branching (shorter chains) side branches and long side chains making LDPE a unique range of PE in that it is less dense and more flexible in lower temperature but also more expensive than HDPE.

Type 4 (Low Density Polyethylene) LDPE: Most commonly used for bags (grocery, dry cleaning, bread, frozen food bags, newspapers) plastic wraps; coatings for paper milk cartons and hot & cold beverage cups; some squeezable bottles (honey, mustard); most bottle caps other containers. They are also suited for wire and cable insulation.

Polypropylene Plastic Type (PP)

Naturally stiffer and more heat-resistant than PE, PP is commonly used for hot food containers. With this, the strength is a little bit better compared to LDPE but not as strong as that of HDPE. Other than in thermal vests, and car parts, PP is additionally located within the liner of disposable nappies and sanitary pads.

As with LDPE, PP is considered to be a low-hazard plastic option for food and beverage use. This is a great material for a baby milk bottle, provided it has been labelled as BPA-free and this type of plastic should not be containing any harmful chemicals.

Even though it possesses all of those impressive attributes, PP isn't fully recyclable and can induce asthma in human as well hormone disruption.