What exactly is Polypropylene? Is it bad for the earth?

Question

I have seen reusable grocery bags made of this. A lot of the ones that look good, big, and durable are made of this. And the cotton ones are more expensive. But I was wondering if polypropylene is bad for the earth, either in making it (manufacturing) or throwing it out (in case it wasnt recycled for some reason). So basically if I am trying to avoid using paper or plastic at the grocery store, am I ok getting a Polypropylene bag or should I go with cotton?

Answer 1

There are two types of polypropylene, HDPE (high density), as in milk jugs, and LDPE (Low density), as in grocery bags. While both require petroleum to produce, they are lightweight and the milk jugs break less frequently than the old glass jugs. When you consider that it costs less to ship the plastic containers than to ship the glass ones and that the plastic rarely breaks, it's probably a wash. That said, they can't compete with a reusable shopping bag. Of course, you can't use the reusable bag to line your wastepaper baskets either.

Answer 2

correct - up to 500 years!

Answer 3

The previous answer mentioning LDPE and HDPE is incorrect as they refer to poly ETHYLENE not polyPROPYLENE.

Polyethylene is simply a long string of carbon atoms with a couple of hydrogen attached to each (and an extra one at each end). It is the logical continuation from methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, septane, octane etc - ad infinitum.

Polypropylene is essentially the same but instead of two hydrogens there is one hydrogen and one - CH3 group attached to each carbon on the chain.

PP is a bit stronger than PE so you can make thinner bags.

Both are chemically harmless - they are very similar to candle-wax - LDPE has a waxy feel.

I routinely burn PP/PE bottles etc. on my coal fire.

If you are going to use a bag for a long time pp is as good as cotton - there are many evils in cotton production!

Answer 4

Polypropylene or polypropene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer, made by the chemical industry and used in a wide variety of applications, including food packaging, ropes, textiles, stationary, plastic parts and reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers, and automotive components.

Since polypropylene contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms, it does not poison environment after its disposal. However high melting point suggests that deterioration time in the land fill will be long.