The world is different now than it was 70 years ago, and new technologies are the root cause of that change. One of the most apparent changes is the prevalent use of plastics in everyday items and products around the world. You can find food-grade plastics in a wide variety of everyday products in just about every home in America. Here’s a look at the most common plastics out there.
Polycarbonate Plastic
While there are several different types of polycarbonate plastic out there, only some are viable as food-grade materials. This plastic is common in molds and hard plastics like hospital trays and bowls that can hold their shape well.
Polyethylene Plastic
Polyethylene plastic is the most common type of food-grade plastic you’ll see around the country, with many different recipes and types in various products, both soft and hard. Some of the most common uses of this plastic are:
- Food Jars
- Pop Bottles
- Sandwich Bags
- Storage buckets
These are just a few of the common examples of this versatile plastic. You’ll even see it in food farms, with hydroponic tanks and food-carrying tanks.
Polypropylene Plastic
This plastic is great for storing food, as it can survive extreme temperatures from the microwave. You’ll also likely see it in single-use serving items like cups or packets of liquid foods. It’s popular for these products for its great durability and flexibility while remaining lightweight for convenient transportation.
Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic
While not all polyvinyl chloride is safe for food, there are many products that use the food-grade version of the plastic. It’s ideal for short shelf-life items that need a light yet strong plastic wrapping. It’s also very useful for gardening and aquaponics systems, which is why it’s a common plastic you can find in many food-grade products.
These plastics are in many of the products we use to grow, package, and handle our food. From increasing efficiency in farms to providing convenient home food-storage systems, it’s clear why these food-grade plastics are so popular.
