What are recycled plastics used for?

Question

We recycle plastic bottles but want to know what it is actually being used for.

Answer 1

Recycled plastics are used for the same things as  virgin plastics except for food packaging and storage. Some of the more common uses are polyester fleece is made from soda bottles. Trex and other brands of composite decking are made from #2 recycled plastic. The paint on the roads contains recycled milk jugs. Lobster traps can be made with recycled plastic. Liquid detergent is frequently sold in recycled plastic bottles.

Answer 2

they are being used in order to make more plastic bottles. :D

Answer 3

plastic bottles can be made into fleeces.

Answer 4

The  ingredients when melted down serve to make further plastic containers :)

Answer 5

Many plastic bottles just end up being remelted and reused to make plastic items for such as cars.

A recent use is the turn the bottles back into raw materials to make clothes. Fleeces, tracksuits, sweaters etc are being made from bottles. You can even buy Tees in Walmart that are made from recycled polyester bottles.

Most of the technology is being developed in Asia as the West is being slow to develop such technologies.

Answer 6

well out of that plastic we can make many things. i want you to remember how many important plastic things are in your house and why they are important. WEll to not waste more trees we re-use plastic to help our environment so remeber if u care ull recycle

Answer 7

Recycled plastic lumber is a product made from recovered plastic or recovered plastic mixed with other materials, which can be used as a substitute for concrete, wood, and metals. It is produced in sizes and shapes (profiles) typical in the lumber industry. Because of its resistance to decay, plastic lumber is an excellent material for decking, landscaping, and recreational equipment, particularly where it comes into contact with soil or water.

The technology for manufacturing recycled plastic lumber has been in place since the early 1980s. Plastic lumber is most commonly manufactured from post-consumer high density polyethylene (HDPE), but linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) are also used. These plastic feed stocks are derived from such raw materials as post-consumer milk jugs, grocery bags, plastic wrap, bubble rap, detergent bottles, and water bottles, and other used plastic commodities.

The recovered plastic is cleaned, shredded, and ground. The material is then melted and mixed with UV stabilizers and pigments then it is molded or extruded into typical lumber shapes, (2x4 4x4, etc), or other shapes. This plastic lumber can then be transformed by consumers and manufacturers into a wide range of products including decks & docks, landscape timbers, parking stops, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, planters, and numerous custom applications.

There are several types of plastic lumber:

All Plastic

This lumber is made out of high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic and can be used in many conventional wood lumber applications. Because of its low maintenance and replacement costs, this is a great material for decks and docks, but the initial costs may be significantly higher, so project management must take the reduced maintenance and replacement costs into account. Also, plastic is not a direct substitute for wood because it has different properties and needs underlying support.

Wood/Plastic composites

Usually a blend of 50 percent plastic is mixed with sawdust or other recycled fiber. This material is a little stiffer than all-plastic lumber, but is less expensive which makes it very popular with home owners. This material is primarily used for decks and docks with most companies now offering boards that look less like plastic and have a wood-grain texture that come in a variety of colors. The wood fibers are encapsulated in plastic. As with wood, these composites need to be cleaned and maintained according to manufacturers care instructions because they will show stains like wood and there can be mold and mildew problems.

Fiber-Reinforced

Fiber-reinforced plastic lumber consists of plastic mixed with chopped or continuous strands of glass fiber. The initial cost of this type is the highest of all, but its benefits are also greater, as it is the strongest of the three and may be used for structural applications.

Product Benefits

Less inclined to rot, chip, splinter, peel, or crack.

Ants, termites and other wood-boring insects will not damage plastic lumber and it does not promote bacterial or barnacle growth.

Impervious to moisture, salt or fresh water, and will not mildew.

Does not contain toxins (e.g., copper, chromium, and arsenic) found in treated wood.

Graffiti is generally easily removed.

Difficult to ignite. Ordinarily it will self extinguish when a flame is withdrawn from it.

Easy to maintain and very durable.

Diverts plastics from the waste stream.

Cost effective because of avoided long-term maintenance and replacement costs

Purchasing Costs

Recycled plastic lumber currently has a higher purchase price (initial cost) than virgin wood, but lasts longer than wood. When maintenance, replacement, and disposal costs are included in the analysis, recycled plastic products are the best value.

Purchase prices of plastic lumber are expected to decrease as technology improves and demand increases. Wood prices are expected to continue to increase. More and more of these plastic alternatives are available at your local hardware/lumber retail store.

Answer 8

Lots of things - more plastic containers, for sure. As the other poster said - plastic lumber is becoming more popular. I've seen picnic tables and fences made from recycled plastic. A coworker had a pretty normal looking polo shirt that is made from recycled plastic bottles. If you like a polyester feel, it would be a comfortable shirt.