High Density
Polyethylene
Virgin plastic is the opposite
of recycled plastics and is
not yet turned into products.
Positives
Positives:
• HDPE is lightweight and
strong and often replaces
heavy materials. This is less
impactful to the
environment. A recent study
found out that plastics
deliver less waste, energy
use, and global warming
potential than to
alternatives.
• HDPE is also an easily
recyclable product. Since
1990s, HDPE has not been
in the landfills.
• Many new products can be
formed and manufactured
using recycled HDPE, for
example, ropes and toys.
Negatives
Negatives:
• Collecting HDPE waste in
the soil can lead to poor soil
aeration and poor
absorption of water and
nutrients.
• Crops are unable to grow
where HDPE products are
because the roots are not
able to take the soil from
water and nutrients.
• The burning of HDPE results
into an unpleasant and
choking smell.
By :
Aisha Wan Arman
š›
 Structural Formula of HDPE:
Definition, Properties, and Recycling
Definition
• High-Density Polyethylene is one of
the world's most used plastic.
• It is a plastic versatile polymer with
flexible properties, which makes it
useful for many applications.
• High-Density Polyethylene has a
higher specific density than low-
density polyethylene. Hence the
name, high density.
• This plastic is light with tensile
strength.
• This plastic is also impact resistance
meaning that if you were to drop a
toy car, it would bounce.
Properties
• Flexible
• Translucent
• Weatherproof
• Chemical resistance against acids,
greases, and oil
• Malleable
• Absorbs little water
Recycling
• As HDPE is one of the easiest
plastics recycled, it is taken in by
many recycling centres.
• First, the plastic is sorted and
cleaned, and removes any
unwanted debris. Then the HDPE is
shredded and melted to refine the
polymer.
FUN FACTS
• HDPE is one of the most
used plastics in the world.
• HDPE is light yet strong.
This is why the HDPE milk
jug that weighs 2 ounces
can carry a gallon of milk.
Also, this is why, the
carmakers use HDPE fuel
tanks because a car that
has lighter car parts, can
help increase fuel
efficiency.
• HDPE resists mold,
rotting, and insects. This
is why HDPE is the best
for underground pipes
Its resin identification code