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CPS University | Plasticology 101
CPSU: Bottleology, Terminology and Navigability
Container & Packaging Supply sells 6 major plastic types: HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, PET and PS. Please see our glossary for additional definitions. Below we provide a basic comparison of each plastic type as well as definitions and common uses. Disclaimer: This information is generalized. Each product packaged in plastic will have a slightly different reaction to the plastic. You are responsible for testing your product with your packaging. We offer samples for you to test your product with and therefore will not be accountable for any product-to-plastic incompatibilities. |
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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Common uses: soft drink bottles, cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars, products containing essential oils, some fruit juices, alcohol beverage bottles, space blankets |
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High-density polyethelene (HDPE) Common uses: milk jugs, distilled water, large vinegar bottles, grocery bags, liquid laundry and dish detergent, fabric softener, motor oil, antifreeze, bleach and lotion |
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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Common uses: chemical spray bottles, pipes, electrical wire insulation, clothing, bags, upholstery, tubing, flooring, waterbeds, pool toys, bottles |
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Low-density polyethelene (LDPE) Common uses: dry-cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners, food storage containers, bread bags, squeezable containers, six pack soda can rings, food storage |
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Polypropylene (PP) Common uses: bottle caps, drinking straws, hinged containers, battery cases, dairy tubs (e.g. sour cream, cottage cheese), cereal box liners |
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Polystyrene (PS) Common uses: bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt cups, clear carryout containers, vitamin bottles, fast food, spoons, knives and forks, hot cups, meat and produce trays, egg cartons, clamshell carryout food containers |
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What plastic type is best for my product? We get this question all the time: what should I put my product in? A client has a product with a special list of ingredients that may or may not require a specific plastic type , and they just need to know from us, the plastic experts, the definitive... |
Fluorination: Your bottle can take the pressure Paneling. If you don't gasp when you hear this word, you will when you know what it means. According to Terminology 101 at CPS University , paneling is the: distortion of a plastic container that occurs during aging or storage, caused by the developm... |
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The FDA on BPA (Bisphenal A) Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been involved in countless studies regarding human health. BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate plastics are lightweight, have a high-performance rating and possess attributes of clarity, heat and e... |
What is sustainable packaging and how do I do it? It's official. Sustainable packaging has matured from fad to trend, according to experts. What is sustainable packaging and how can small, medium and large businesses adapt? Fortunate for us, there is a coalition of sustainable packaging experts who c... |
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CPS University: Packaging Expertise at your Fingertips Packaging is a big industry. Nearly everything you buy is packaged in something. Choosing the right kind of packaging for your product can be very difficult. Will my product interact poorly with this container? Is this plastic the right kind of plast... |
What are the 6 main plastic (resin) types? There are really 6 major plastic types: HDPE , LDPE , PP, PVC, PET and PS. Please see Plasticology 101 for how these plastics are used, what recycling streams they can enter, properties like clarity and temperature thresholds and other great reso... |
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Containers for essential oils Essential oils are a natural way to infuse your products with aromatic and medicinal uniqueness. Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from plants and can pack a punch not only in aromatic intensity, but in your container. To prevent dete... |
FDA Reaffirms Safety of BPA In a comprehensive draft scientific assessment issued today, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly reaffirms the safety of food-contact products containing bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A is used to make polycarbonate plastic products such ... |
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How are plastics made? Plastics consist of building blocks called hydrocarbons, typically derived from petroleum or natural gas. These monomers (small molecules) are bonded into chains called polymers or plastic resins. Different combinations of monomers yield resins with sp... |
What is thermosetting? A thermoset is a polymer that solidifies irreversibly when heated. Similar to the relationship between a raw and a cooked egg, once heated, a thermoset polymer can't be softened again; the egg can't reverts back to its original form. During the ini... |
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What is a thermoplastic? The term, thermoplastics mean that once the polymer is formed, it can be heated and reformed over and over again. The molecules are held together by weak secondary bonding forces that causes the plastic to soften when exposed to light and return back t... |
The history of plastic In today's world, life without plastics is incomprehensible. Whether you are aware of it or not, plastics have become a familiar part of our lives, where these organic polymeric materials play a vital role in the modern society. Plastic's versatility a... |
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Plastics: Landfills and Incineration How do modern landfills protect the environment? The purpose of solid waste management is to remove wastes from living areas in a way that protects human health and the environment. Landfills fulfill this mission by sealing wastes away from the surround... |
Plastics and Energy Efficiency Can plastics actually save energy? Yes. And they use less energy than you might think: the raw materials that go into the production of plastics account for only 1.5 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. In addition, it often takes less energy to... |
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Benefits of Plastics Performance All Wrapped Up When the packaging questions are tough, plastics are often the answer. Sometimes they are the only answer, performing tasks no other materials can perform and providing consumers with products and services no other material... |
Mythbusters: Busting Myths about Plastics Several myths about plastics have emerged over the last decade that may alarm the public without just cause and potentially harm consumer-friendly companies producing needed products. Urban myths spring from any number of sources, including: (1) Enviro... |
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Types of food-grade storage containers You should use food grade containers for storing anything you intend to eat. A food grade container is one that will not transfer non-food chemicals into the food and contains no chemicals which would be hazardous to human health. If you are uncertain whe... |
Resin Prices WERE Up The rumors were true. Plastic resin prices went up ... but then they came back down. Way down. The plastic resins market for 2008 climbed steadily from January to June, realizing an approximated average price increase of 30 percent. Over the second h... |
