HDPE Lowdown
Another post for the environment - yeah!
When you think of recycling HDPE (High Density Polyethylene - but you knew that), you probably think of all the plastic that you can you can throw into your recycle bin. But that’s not all there is to it. Some HDPE, such as Virgin HDPE Granules is repurposed before it even gets used. Virgin HDPE comes from scrap plastics left over from the production of many different items. This plastic is called virgin because it was never used or abused and doesn’t have the colors or wear and tear (including possible contaminants) of plastics recycled after their lifetime of service. This is pure, clean plastic that takes color well and can be used for any type of production.
That’s not to suggest that your dutifully recycled HDPE isn’t useful or good - it’s still excellent for many uses - so don’t stop recycling it. It’s just nice to know that a recycled motor oil container won’t be holding your Diet Coke tomorrow. At least I think it’s nice to know. What it will be is possibly a grocery bag or outer packaging material or … well, there are too many to list. So now you know. Just because your recycled plastic may not be “virgin” any longer, it’s still a good time.