If you read the headline above, your first question might have been: What is polyethylene terephthalate? Generally, we simply refer to this as PET or PETE, and it is simply a common type of thermoplastic. Here are a few quick facts about this thermoplastic.
If you drink carbonated beverages in plastic bottles, then you probably have used many PETE products. PETE is a particularly good plastic for holding liquids for several reasons. It is able not only to contain water, but also carbonated liquids such as soda and even beer or alcohol. In addition, it is quite rigid and very durable, nearly impossible to shatter or break.
Bottles made out of polyethylene terephthalate are among the most easy to recycle. While most thermoplastics can be recycled and reused, some recycling centers only accept plastics with a resin identification code of 1 or 2. Polyethylene terephthalate has a code of 1, making it accepted by virtually all recycling centers in the United States. If you look on a plastic soda bottle, you will see this number 1 surrounded by a triangle of arrows. This is the resin code, which helps make trash separation easier at recycling centers.
While it is widely known as a material for making beverage containers, polyethylene terephthalate also is used to make all sorts of other things. In fact, polyester is actually a type of polyethylene terephthalate. Polyester is used in the production of clothing as well as for making film, musical instruments and much more.
This lightweight, durable plastic can be an excellent option for your custom packaging solution. The team at Indepak can determine if this type of thermoform plastic is the best fit for your unique product. We can create thermoform packaging out of many different types of plastics in addition to plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate; we also offer post-consumer grade materials, bioplastics and other interesting options.
