Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE).
PET is clear, tough, and has good gas and moisture barrier properties. This resin is
commonly used in beverage bottles and many injection-molded consumer product
containers. Cleaned, recycled PET flakes and

• Clear and optically smooth surfaces for oriented films and bottles
• Excellent barrier to oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide
• High impact capability and shatter resistance
• Excellent resistance to most solvents
• Capability for hot- filling

Plastic bottles for soft drinks, water,
juice, sports drinks, beer, mouthwash, catsup and salad dressing.

Food jars for peanut butter, jelly, jam and pickles.

Oven able film and microwavable food trays.

Fiber for carpet, fleece jackets,
comforter fill, and tote bags.

Containers for food, beverages
(bottles), and non-food items. Film and sheet.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
HDPE is used to make many types of bottles. Unpigmented bottles are translucent, have
good barrier properties and stiffness, and are

• Excellent resistance to most solvents
• Higher tensile strength compared to other forms of polyethylene
• Relatively stiff material with useful temperature capabilities

Bottles for milk, water, juice, cosmetics,
shampoo, dish and laundry detergents, and household cleaners.

Bags for groceries and retail purchases. Cereal box liners.
Reusable shipping containers.

Bottles for non-food items, such as
shampoo, conditioner, liquid laundry detergent, household cleaners, motor oil and antifreeze.

Plastic lumber for outdoor decking, fencing and picnic tables.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl).
In addition to its stable physical properties, PVC has good chemical resistance,
weatherability, flow characteristics and stable electrical properties. The diverse slate
of vinyl products can be broadly divided into

• High impact strength, brilliant clarity, excellent processing performance
• Resistance to grease, oil and chemicals

Rigid packaging applications include
blister packs and clamshells.

Flexible packaging uses include bags for bedding and medical, shrink wrap, deli and meet wrap and tamper resistance.

In addition to packaging, PVC’s major uses are rigid applications such as pipe, siding, window frames, fencing, decking and railing.  Flexible applications

Pipe, decking, fencing, paneling,
gutters, carpet backing, floor tiles and mats, resilient flooring, mud flaps, cassette trays, electrical boxes, cables, traffic cones, garden hose, and mobile home skirting.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE).
LDPE is used predominately in film applications due to its toughness, flexibility
and relative transparency, making it popular for use in applications where heat sealing is
necessary. LDPE also is used to manufacture
some flexible lids and bottles as well as in wire and cable applications.

Includes Linear Low Density Polyethylene

• Excellent resistance to acids, bases and vegetable oils
• Toughness, flexibility and relative transparency (good combination of properties for packaging applications requiring heat-sealing)

Bags for dry cleaning, newspapers,
bread, frozen foods, fresh produce, and household garbage.

Shrink wrap and stretch film.

Coatings for paper milk cartons and hot and cold beverage cups.

Container lids. Toys.
Squeezable bottles (e.g.,  honey and mustard).

Shipping envelopes, garbage can

Polypropylene (PP).
PP has good chemical resistance, is strong, and has a high melting point making it good
for hot-fill liquids. This resin is found in

• Excellent optical clarity in biaxially oriented films and stretch blow molded containers
• Low moisture vapor transmission
• Inertness toward acids, alkalis and most solvents

Containers for yogurt, margarine,
takeout meals, and deli foods. Medicine bottles.
Bottle caps and closures. Bottles for catsup and syrup.

Automobile applications, such as
battery cases, signal lights, battery cables, brooms and brushes, ice scrapers, oil funnels, and bicycle racks.

Polystyrene (PS).
PS is a versatile plastic that can be rigid or foamed. General purpose polystyrene is
clear, hard and brittle. It has a relatively low melting point. Typical applications include
protective packaging, foodservice packaging,
bottles, and food containers.

• Excellent moisture barrier for short shelf life products
• Excellent optical clarity in general purpose form
• Significant stiffness in both foamed and rigid forms.
• Low density and high stiffness in foamed applications
• Low thermal conductivity and excellent insulation properties in foamed form

Food service items, such as cups, plates,
bowls, cutlery, hinged takeout containers (clamshells), meat and poultry trays, and rigid food containers
(e.g., yogurt). These items may be made with foamed or non-foamed PS.

Protective foam packaging for furniture, electronics and other delicate items.
Packing peanuts, known as “loose fill.” Compact disc cases and aspirin bottles. In addition to packaging, PS’s major
uses are in agricultural trays, electronic

Thermal insulation, thermometers,
light switch plates, vents, desk trays, rulers, and license plate frames.
Cameras or video cassette casings. Foamed foodservice applications,
such as egg shell cartons.

Plastic mouldings (i.e., wood replacement products).

Other. Use of this code indicates that a package is made with a resin other than the six listed above, or is made of more than one resin and used in a multi-layer combination.

Dependent on resin or combination of resins

Three- and five-gallon reusable water
bottles, some citrus juice and catsup bottles.

Bottles and plastic lumber applications.