What Is LDPE Plastic?

LDPE plastic is used to make squeeze bottles as well as many other things.
••• ketchup and mustard image by Ellanorah from Fotolia.com

LDPE is an acronym for low-density polyethylene. This type of plastic can be identified in many products we use with the resin code, or recycling number, 4.

Description

According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), LDPE is primarily used in film applications because it is tough, flexible and relatively transparent. LDPE is also used to produce some flexible lids and bottles as well as in wire and cable applications.

Properties

The ACC reports that LDPE has an excellent resistance to acids, bases and vegetable oils. Its toughness, flexibility and relative transparency make it good for packaging applications requiring heat-sealing.

Product Applications

LDPE is used to make many thin, flexible products like plastic bags for dry-cleaning, newspapers, bread, frozen foods, fresh produce and garbage. Most shrink-wrap and stretch film is also made out of LDPE, as well as coatings for paper milk cartons and disposable beverage cups. Manufacturers also use LDPE to create thin container lids, squeezable bottles and some toys.

Recycling LDPE

Most areas offer recycling for products made with LDPE and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), which also features a recycling number 4. Like all other types of plastic, LDPE can take hundreds of years to decompose in the landfill, so products that are made exclusively of LDPE should be recycled if possible. Some areas don’t offer recycling for plastic bags made from LDPE, but these can be reused instead.

Products Made with Recycled Content

Recycled LDPE can be used to produce shipping envelopes, garbage can liners, floor tile, paneling, furniture, compost bins, trashcans, landscape timber and outdoor lumber, according to the ACC.

Related Articles

Types of Plastic Bags
What Types of Containers Have the HDPE 2 Recycling...
What Is HDPE Plastic?
Kinds of Plastic in Gatorade Bottles
Earth Friendly Food Storage Containers
HDPE Vs. LDPE
What Are the Raw Materials of Plastic Bottles?
Difference Between Polystyrene & Polyurethane
Uses of PVC Plastic
How Is LDPE Recycled?
What Is the Difference in EPE Foam & EVA Foam?
A Comparison of Steel Beams & Microlam Beams
Urethane vs. Polyurethane
What Is Lexan Glass?
Biodegradable Plastics Made From Soybean Products
Things Made From Recycled Plastic
The Properties of Polyethylene
Things That Can Be Reduced, Reused or Recycled
What Does HSS Stand for in Steel?
Materials Used for Making Plastic Bags

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!