Types of Raw Materials

Types of Raw Materials

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

This material is extensively used for the manufacture of strongly coloured (even when white), non-translucent or transparent bottles used to pack items such as milk, methylated spirits, paraffin, mineral turpentine, bleaches, scouring powders, fabric softeners, motor oils etc. The bottles are usually from 750ml to 5-litre capacities but 20 and 25-litre jerry-can-like containers with screw caps are also made from HDPE. If any of the above products, like methylated spirits etc., are packed in clear, transparent bottles the bottles will be of PVC or PET and not PE-HD.

Practically all buckets and basins are made from PE-HD and it is extensively used for black agricultural pipe, especially in diameters of more than 25mm. PE-HD plastic crates are all returnable and it is ILLEGAL to recycle them unless supplied by the owners of the crates.

PE-HD is also used for the manufacture of the slightly hard, paper-like handle carry-out bags used in supermarkets, also called vest-type carry bags or VCB’s. There is a high demand for PE-HD, especially bottles, by the recyclers

How to know if an item is made from HPDE? Look out for the symbol below.

Identification of PE-HD products

• Packaging bottles – Used for milk, methylated spirits, paraffin, bleaches, fabric softeners, motor oils, and household detergents. 
• Buckets and Basins – Almost all buckets and basins are made from PE-HD. 
• Agricultural Pipes – Used for black agricultural pipes, especially in diameters of more than 25mm. 
• Plastic Crates – 
• Bags - Vest-type carry bags (VCB's) and also some refuse bags.

PE-LD - Low-density and linear low-density polyethylene

Low density and linear low density polyethylene (PE-LD and PE-LLD) 

Almost all thin, slightly milky, usually transparent packaging film used for fresh and frozen vegetable bags, blanket packs, pillow and disposable nappy wraps, soft supermarket carry-out bags, fertiliser bags, dry cleaners' film packaging and for the bulk of the shrink-and stretch wrap films, black garbage bags and building film are made from PE-LD/LLD. Soft, squeezable bottles, soft covers for fridge containers, the soft containers themselves and the softer varieties of black agricultural pipe are also made from PE LD/LLD. LDPE is the largest single type of plastic recovered in South Africa and comprises about 50% of the total amount of plastics recycled.

Identification of PE-LD products

• Packaging film - Used for fresh and frozen vegetable bags, blanket packs, soft supermarket carry-out bags, fertilizer bags, dry cleaner film, garbage bags, and the bulk of shrink and stretch-wrap films. 
• Bottles - soft, squeezable bottles, soft containers, and cosmetic tubes.
• Pipes - varieties of black agricultural pipes, especially for low pressure.