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High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE)

What is HDPE PlasticWhat does HDPE stand for?

HDPE is an acronym for High Density PolyEthylene and is a thermoplastic prepared from ethylene by a catalytic process. The global market for HDPE in 2007 is around 30 million tons.

What is HDPE’s plastic number?

The recycling number for HDPE is #2.
HDPE is a very commonly recycled type of plastic and is well accepted in most recycling centers.

What are HDPE’s properties?

  • High tensile strength (maximum stress a material can withstand)
  • Density above 0.95 – 0.97 g/cm3 (floats in water)
  • High heat resistant (max. temperature around 120 °C)
  • Excellent resistance to chemicals and solvents
  • High rigidity
  • Meets FDA’s standard for direct food contact

What is HDPE primarily used for?

  • More than 8 million tons of HDPE are used toward blow-molded containers such as milk jugs, juice containers, detergent bottles, motor oil bottles, trash bins, etc. That is nearly one third of HDPE’s annual production worldwide.
  • A large portion of recycled HDPE plastic is made into composite wood or plastic lumber.
  • Toys! One third of all toys are manufactured using HDPE. Example of a HDPE toy (click to view image).
  • Plastic bags with #2 label

What are some other products made from HDPE?

  • Outdoor furniture (such as Adirondack chairs)
  • Large drums (for storing oils and chemicals)
  • Storage sheds
  • Playground equipment
  • Paint buckets
  • Watering cans
  • Cutting boards
  • Lunch trays
  • Recycled plastic furniture
  • HDPE Bottles and containers
  • Folding tables and chairs
  • Pipes (water, natural gas, etc…)
  • High density polyethylene mortars (for pyrotechnic)
  • Etc…

Related Articles:

  • What is Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)?
  • What is Polypropylene (PP)?
  • What is Polystyrene (PS)?

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