Plastic Wisely

Plastic Wisely

Plastic is more than meets the eye.

Love it, hate it, trash it, repurpose it, whatever your approach to plastic is, we must first ask ourselves: do we understand it, and can we live without it?

As one of the most used and abused materials of our lifetimes, life without plastic is unimaginable. From helping preserve food waste to storing sensitive medicines, plastic’s importance in our daily life cannot be understated.

Before all else, the road to sustainability starts with conscientious consumption. The first step to creating a better future is to make sure we understand the present, especially when it comes to a material as omni-present as plastic.

Thanks to the information detailed below, this page is a great place to start equipping yourself with the tools you need to plastic wisely.

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How should we plastic?

Let's take a closer look at the most used types of plastics, and break down some good and not-so-good behaviours.

PET
Polyethylene Terephthalate
A lightweight, strong, transparent plastic.
Good if:
  • Kept in dry, cool conditions away from direct sunlight
  • Taken to the appropriate recycling programme
Bad if:
  • Kept in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time, like in cars
  • Left behind to contaminate environments such as parks, beaches, etc.
  • Not emptied before disposal, hindering the recycling process
Essential for:
  • Creating a tight, safe seal around other materials
  • Used in containers to store food and drink
  • Preserving medicinal oils and certain drugs
  • Storing chemicals, like household cleaners
  • Cosmetic packaging
HDPE
High-density Polyethylene
An opaque, thin, and strong plastic.
Good if:
  • Stored in cool temperatures, e.g. milk jugs/bottles
  • Used for intended applications, e.g. irrigation and water pipes
Bad if:
  • Left behind to contaminate environments such as parks, beaches, etc.
  • Not emptied before disposal, hindering the recycling process
Essential for:
  • Withstanding abrasions and high pressure
  • Storing sensitive liquids like milk, motor oil, detergents
  • Grocery, carrier, and waste bags
  • Crates, palettes, drain pipes and industrial containers
  • Building materials like recycled plastic lumber or wood-plastic composite
  • Outdoor furniture such as decks and signage
LDPE / LLDPE
Low-density Polyethylene / Linear Low-density Polyethylene
A flexible, lightweight, and durable plastic.
Good if:
  • Taken to the correct recycling programme
  • Handled appropriately to ensure longevity of use
Bad if:
  • Left behind to contaminate environments such as parks, beaches, etc.
  • Not labeled with a Resin Identification Code (RIC) to aid in recycling (for LLDPE only)1
  • Not emptied before disposal, hindering the recycling process
Essential for:
  • Protecting crops
  • Storing/transporting liquids
  • Durable containers, such as trash cans and water tanks
  • Protective coatings for paper cartons and cups
  • Playground equipment like roto-molded slides and ladders
  • Daily goods like grocery bags, dry cleaning, newspapers
PP
Polypropylene
A rigid, lightweight, and heat-resistant plastic.
Good if:
  • Taken to the appropriate recycling programme
  • Reused for multiple purposes, only when appropriate and sanitary
Bad if:
  • Multi-use containers are only used once before discarding
  • Left behind to contaminate environments such as parks, beaches, etc.
  • Not appropriately labelled as highly recyclable
  • Not emptied before disposal, hindering the recycling process
Essential for:
  • Storing frozen or hot foods
  • Reusable containers
  • Automotive car parts
  • Heat-resistant thermal vests
  • Surgical devices and implants

OQ firmly believes in the importance of conscientious consumption. It is time to redefine the world's perception of plastic, and we are proud to be leading the way.

Join us in starting the conversation on social media at #PlasticWisely. 

1Resin identification codes are special symbols on plastic items, indicating what type of plastic they’re made of so they can be recycled properly.