Six Common Types of Recycled Plastics

2025-10-20

Recycled plastics are categorized based on resin type and source. The most common types include:

Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): Often sourced from plastic films, grocery bags, food packaging, liners, and agricultural mulch films. These materials are typically natural or lightly colored and require sorting before processing.

Recycled Polypropylene (PP): Recovered from everyday items such as storage containers, buckets, furniture, woven bags, and packaging tapes. PP is valued for its versatility, durability, and wide range of applications.

Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Primarily obtained from post-consumer beverage and food containers. PET is lightweight, shatter-resistant, and energy-efficient to recycle, making it ideal for reuse in textiles, packaging, and engineering applications.

Recycled ABS Plastic: Usually reclaimed from electronic housings, household appliances, toys, and mechanical components. It offers good impact strength, surface finish, and structural integrity.