Plastic Use in Everyday Life
You probably go to the supermarket often, right? Have you ever noticed that almost all food and beverage packaging there is made of plastic? Even when buying snacks and drinks from street vendors, most of the packaging is also plastic-based.
Plastic usage is still very common in Indonesia. It is used to package various products, including food containers, drinking bottles, ready-to-eat meals, and beauty products.
Devi Kurniati Homan, in her article “Symbols to Support Information Systems for Plastic Food and Beverage Packaging Design” published in the Humaniora journal in 2011, stated that there are seven numbered recycling logos to distinguish plastic types and their respective uses.
Types of Plastic and Their Properties
1. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- Properties: Transparent, thin, provides good protection against water and air.
- Uses: Drinking bottles, plastic cups, and food containers.
- Note: Do not use for hot water or expose to direct sunlight as it can release carcinogenic substances.
2. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
- Properties: Rigid, strong, opaque, resistant to high temperatures, easy to recycle.
- Uses: Milk bottles, juice bottles, detergent containers, shampoo, and cleaning fluid bottles.
- Note: Although safe for food and drinks, it is recommended for single use only.
3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or V
- Properties: Stable, resistant to chemicals and weather, difficult to recycle.
- Uses: Plastic pipes, children's toys, cable wraps, and soap bottles.
- Note: Not recommended for food packaging as it can release harmful substances.
4. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
- Properties: Elastic, strong, flexible, provides protection against water vapor.
- Uses: Transparent plastic bags, shopping bags, food wrapping plastic.
- Note: Can be reused, but recycling is recommended after single use.
5. PP (Polypropylene)
- Properties: Resistant to high temperatures, strong, resistant to chemicals.
- Uses: Drinking bottles, medicine containers, yogurt containers, plastic straws, and tape.
- Note: Considered the best plastic for food packaging and can be reused.
6. PS (Polystyrene)
- Properties: Lightweight, inexpensive, but brittle and difficult to recycle.
- Uses: Styrofoam, egg cartons, disposable plastic cutlery, and building materials.
- Note: Not recommended for food packaging as it can release toxic substances.
7. Other (Miscellaneous Plastics)
This type of plastic does not fall into the previous six categories. Some plastics in this category include:
- SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile): Used for mixer bowls, thermos covers, and dinner plates.
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Used for children's toys, pipes, and food containers.
- PC (Polycarbonate): Used for water gallons, baby bottles, and plastic cups.
How to Choose Safe Plastics?
Not all plastics are safe for repeated use. Below is the classification of plastics based on their safety:
✅ Safe for reuse: HDPE (2), LDPE (4), and PP (5).
⚠️ Should be avoided for food and beverages: PET (1), PVC (3), PS (6), and Other (7).
Besides choosing safer plastics, we should also support recycling efforts by sorting plastic waste accordingly.
FAQ: Types of Plastics and Their Properties
1. Which plastic is the safest for food and beverages?
Plastics with codes PP (5 - Polypropylene), HDPE (2 - High-Density Polyethylene), and LDPE (4 - Low-Density Polyethylene) are the safest for food and beverages as they are heat-resistant and do not easily release harmful substances.
2. Which plastic is the most hazardous to health?
PVC (3), PS (6), and PC (7) should be avoided for food and beverage use as they may contain toxic substances like BPA and phthalates, which pose health risks.
3. Can all plastics be recycled?
Not all plastics are easily recyclable. HDPE (2), PET (1), and PP (5) are commonly recycled, whereas PVC (3) and PS (6) are more challenging and less frequently recycled.
4. How can I identify the type of plastic from packaging?
Check the recycling symbol, usually found at the bottom of plastic packaging. This symbol is a triangle with a number inside, indicating the type of plastic.
5. What are the environmental impacts of plastic usage?
Non-biodegradable plastic can pollute soil, water, and oceans. Plastic waste also endangers wildlife and contributes to global warming due to its production and incineration.
