The plastic is strong, flexible, lightweight and corrosion resistant. These properties allow the plastic to be durable and resistant to various influences. These properties also mean that plastic is not biodegradable, ie that it does not decompose easily under the influence of the sun and water. This makes the plastic very suitable for packaging. However, these properties also mean that the plastic will remain in the landfills for a very long time. So scientists have found a way to produce biodegradable plastics using plant materials. New plastic looks similar to ordinary plastic, but it decomposes in water like plants.
Many people have a habit of storing plastic bottles of water or juice so that they can reuse them for a similar purpose, not knowing that they can be poisonous. Not all plastic packaging is intended for reusable use. Some bottles should be used once and then discarded. At the bottom of each plastic package is a triangular sign with a number in the middle, and below it is a mark that says how dangerous the plastic you hold in your hand. If the bottle is disposable, you should not use it more than once.
Most bottles of mineral or plain water as well as carbonated and non-carbonated beverages are marked PET (often referred to as PETE) with the number 1 in the triangle. It is important to know that these bottles are for single use only. There is a possibility that with each new charge in the water they release the heavy metal antimony, the chemical compound EPA, which interferes with the functioning of hormones. Such bottles can also release carcinogenic materials. That is why we should pay attention to the markings on the bottles.
You will recognize the plastic that is safe for reuse by the designations HDP (or HDPE), LDPE and PP, or by the numbers 2, 4 and 5. LDPE is a type of plastic that, unfortunately, is not mainly used for making bottles, but only for grocery bags. HDP is a good choice, as is PP which is mainly used for yogurt cups and is white.
An interesting fact is that a company from the United Kingdom has found the use of plastic bottles in improving and lasting the quality of asphalt. This company uses even the heaviest plastic for recycling – black plastic. They use used plastic, not new or biodegradable, which helps to remove any plastic waste that could be generated. By using plastic in order to improve the quality and durability of asphalt, they reduce the harmful substances used in the production of ordinary asphalt. This asphalt will be much more resistant to weather changes than ordinary, will be more resistant to heat and cold and will be more resistant to everyday damage to which it is exposed. This company has two goals, one is to improve the use of plastic waste, and the other is to improve the quality of the roads we use every day.
