Make Your Plastic Fantastic

Recycling materials uses far less energy than creating brand new ones. Recycled plastic is used to make many different types of products. According to MSNBC, by recycling only one plastic bottle, enough energy is saved to power a 60-watt light bulb for six hours. Instead, many people choose to throw the bottle away. What a waste.

There is a bridge in New Baltimore, New York that was created from recycled plastic and is strong enough to hold cars. The bridge is 3o-feet long and contains 68,000 milk jugs that are mixed with fiberglass.

Coca-Cola began making and selling shirts made from recycled plastic. The shirts, called "Drink 2 Wear" apparel, are made from a blend of about half recycled polyethylene terephthalate, commonly marked as PET, and half cotton. Three to five plastic bottles are used to make each shirt, depending on the size. The shirts come with catchy phrases such as “Make Your Plastic Fantastic.”

The type of product that is made out of recycled plastic depends on the type of plastic.
HDPE or high density polyethylene, is very tough and is used to make rigid plastic containers such as milk jugs and beverage bottles. Once recycled it is made into pipes, pails, motor oil bottles and detergent containers.

LDPE or low density polyethylene, is used to make flexible plastics, such as garment bags, grocery and garbage bags, some lids and bottles, typewriter ribbon, squeezable bottles and toys. It is tough, yet flexible, and somewhat transparent. When recycled, it can be made into pallets or new trash bags.

PET or polyethylene tephthalate, is semi-rigid to rigid, depending on thickness. It makes a good barrier method, especially for use in soft drink bottles. PET is also used for flexible food packaging. When recycled, it is made into fiberfill, carpeting, and non-food containers.

A high-quality polyester fiber called Eco-Fi, or EcoSpun, was developed out of plastic bottles, and is used to make fabrics such as cotton, wool, and fleece. Clothing is now available that have been made from plastic. This type of plastic can also be used for home furnishings, blanket throws, and carpet.

As you can see, all kinds of fun things come out of recycled plastic. Throw your plastic in the recycle bin and that bottle you were sipping out of might become socks for a kid.