A quick guide to recyclable plastics

At Custom-Pak we take pride in the fact that nearly all our products are recyclable and that most of the containers we thermo-form are made from 100% RPET – recycled polyethylene terephthalate, with almost no new resin added.

We are full members of Plastics New Zealand, an organisation that works to influence plastic manufacturing in New Zealand, so that manufacturers behave in an environmentally responsible manner.

All New Zealand cities and towns have introduced recycling schemes to reduce waste going into our landfills. The success of these schemes is variable, because so much depends on consumers doing the right thing. You can learn more about the challenges and opportunities of recycling here.

When it comes to plastics manufacturers, 99% of the waste generated during plastics product manufacturing is recycled by the manufacturer or a contracted recycling company.

- Symbol
- Type of plastic
- Properties
- Common uses
- Recycled in
- RPET
  Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate
- The recycling process produces consistent, pure quality of recycled plastic. Safe, clean and eco-friendly, it requires less energy to manufacture products made out of recycled plastic
- Water bottles, food containers, textiles, sleeping bags, upholstery foams, industrial strapping, carpets
- PET Plastic Containers
- PET
  Polyethylene Terephthalate
- Clear, tough, solvent resistant, barrier to gas and moisture, softens at 70°C
- Soft drink and water bottles, salad domes, biscuit trays, salad dressing and oeanut butter containers, fleece clothing and geo-textiles
- Pillow and sleeping bag filling, clothing, soft drink bottles, carpet
- HDPE
  High Density Polyethylene
- Hard to semi-flexible, resistant to chemicals and moisture, waxy surface, opaque, softens at 135°C, easily coloured, processed and formed
- Crinkly shopping bags, freezer bags, milk bottles, ice cream containers, juice bottles, shampoo, chemical and detergent bottles, buckets, rigid agricultural pipe, milk crates
- Recycling bins, compost bins, buckets, detergent containers, posts, fencing, pipes
- PVC
  UnPlasticised Polyvinyl Chloride PVC-U Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride PVC-P
- Strong, tough, can be clear, can be solvent welded, softens at 75°CFlexible, clear, elastic, can be solvent welded
- Cosmetric containers, electrical conduit, plumbing pipes and fittings, blister packs, wall cladding, roof sheeting, bottlesGarden hose, shoe soles, cable sheathing, blood bags and tubing, watch straps, commercial cling wrap
- Flooring, film and sheets, cables, speed bumps, packaging, binders, mud flaps and mats
- LDPE
  Low Density PolyethyleneLLDPE
  Linear Low Density Polyethylene
- Soft, flexible, waxy surface, translucent, softens at 80°C, scratches easily
- Cling wrap, rubbish bags, squeeze bottles, black irrigation tube, black mulch film, rubbish bins, shrink wrap
- Rubbish bin liners, pallet sheets, slip sheets
- PP
  Polypropylene
- Hard but still flexible, waxy surface, softens at 145°C, translucent, withstands solvents, versatile
- Dip pottles and ice cream tubs, potato chip bags, straws, microwave dishes, kettles, garden furniture, lunch boxes, blue packing tape, automotive parts
- Pegs, bins, pipes, pallet sheets, oil funnels, car battery cases, trays
- PSPS
  Polystyrene
- Clear, glassy, rigid, brittle, opaque, semi-tough, softens at 95°C. Affected by fats and solvents
- CD cases, plastic cutlery, imitation ‘crystal glassware’, low cost brittle toys, video cases, water station cup, safety helmets
- Coat hangers, coasters, white ware components, stationery trays and accessories
- EPS
  Expanded Polystyrene
- Foamed, light weight, energy absorbing, heat insulating
- Foamed polystyrene hot drink cups, hamburger take-away clamshells, foamed meat trays, protective packaging for fragile items, insulation, insulation panels
- Car parts, concrete aggregate, plastic timber
- OTHERS
  Letters below indicate ISO code for plastic type including SAN (styrene, acrylonitrile), ABS (Acrylonitirite butadine styrene), PC (polycarbonate), Nylon, degradable plastic e.g. PLA
- Includes all other resins, multi materials (e.g. laminates) and degradable plastics. Properties dependent on plastics or combination of plastics
- Packaging, car parts, appliance parts, computers, electronics, water cooler bottles, medical devices
- Car parts, concrete aggregate, plastic timber