Since the consumption of plastic products increase continuesly, the amount of waste plastics also increase continuesly. At present, China's waste plastics are mainly plastic film, plastic wire and woven goods, foam plastics, plastic packaging boxes and containers, household plastic products, plastic bags and agricultural film. In addition, the annual consumption of plastics for automobiles in China has reached 400,000 tons, and the annual consumption of plastics for electronic appliances and home appliances has reached more than 1 million tons. These products become one of the important sources of waste plastics after being scrapped. It is understood that in 2011, the amount of waste plastics produced in China was about 28 million tons, and in 2012 it was 34.13 million tons. The storage, transportation and processing of these waste plastics, pending the application and post-treatment of the discarded plastic raw materials, will inevitably damage the environment and endanger the health of the human beings.
To facilitate the recycling of plastics, the Society of Plastics Industry, Inc. (USA) proposes a labeling system that uses plastic types to classify: "Resin Identification Code" (often translated as "plastic" Material code" or "plastic code"). Recyclable plastic containers are accompanied by a triangular label surrounded by three arrows, which indicate the type of plastic.
The Chinese National Standard (GB18455-2001) stipulates that plastic packaging products or plastic containers with a volume exceeding 100 ml must be visually marked with plastic recycling labels:
Abbreviation Name Use
Polyethylene(PET ) terephthalate, also known as polyester, always be found in PET bottles.
High density polyethylene(HDPE) is found in lotion containers, milk bottles, and supermarket plastic bags.
PVC is found in pipes, outdoor furniture, and raincoats.
Low density polyethylene(LDPE) is found in hose packaging for toothpaste or facial cleanser.
Polypropylene (PP) is commonly found in bottle caps, straws, and microwave food boxes.
Polystyrene(PS ) is classified as unfoamed or foamed. Unfoamed or styrofoam, normally be found in some beverages (such as Yakult) containers; foamed foam is known as styrofoam, used in packaging rubber, disposable insulation plastic cups, packaging frozen meat containers, lunch boxes. Other recyclable plastic products include polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polylactic acid (PLA), Nylon and glass reinforced plastic (FRP), biaxially oriented polylactic acid film (BOPLA) and etc.
Hope everyone can make contribution to environmental protection.