Water Bottle Plastic - What Are the Different Types of Plastic Water Bottles?
The world has a massive plastic bottle problem. Its existence in the oceans has become a global concern. Its creation started in the 1800s when the plastic bottle was conceived as a way to keep sodas cool and the bottle itself was a popular choice. The process involved in making a plastic bottle started with the chemical bonding of two different types of gas and oil molecules known as monomers. These compounds then melted down and were then remolded into molds. The bottles were then filled by machines.
Today, the most common kind of plastic bottle is PET. PET is lightweight and is often used for beverage bottles. When recycled, it degrades in quality and may end up as wood or fiber substitutes. Manufacturers may have to add virgin plastic to maintain the same quality. While PET can be recycled, its main downside is that the material is difficult to clean. While recycling PET is important for the environment, this plastic has become one of the most widely used for bottles.
The production of PET is a huge energy and water-intensive process. This process requires massive amounts of fossil fuels, which makes it a highly-polluting substance. In the 1970s, the U.S. was the world's largest oil exporter. Today, we're the biggest oil importer in the world. And 25% of plastic bottles we use are made from oil. And this is not even accounting for the energy used to transport these bottles.
Another type of plastic bottle is HDPE. HDPE is the least expensive and most common type of plastic. It provides a good moisture barrier. Although HDPE does not contain BPA, it is considered safe and recyclable. The HDPE bottle is also transparent and lends itself to silk screen decoration. It is suitable for products with temperatures below 190 degrees Fahrenheit but is unsuitable for essential oils. These plastic bottles should be used for food products and non-perishable items, such as juices.
Some of the more popular water bottles contain BPA, which is a synthetic compound that is known to disrupt the endocrine system. It disrupts the body's hormone production and has been linked to an increased risk of various cancers in children. So, drinking water from plastic bottles is not only a health risk, but it also contributes to the plastic bottle's environmental footprint. If you're interested in avoiding these toxic chemicals, make sure to choose a water bottle that's free of BPA and other plastic additives.
Another great solution to plastic pollution is to buy reusable water bottles. Research shows that the increased sale of refillable bottles could keep up to 7.6 billion plastic bottles from entering the ocean each year. The government can also limit or ban single-use plastic bottles to reduce the amount of pollution they release into the oceans. You can also contact your local policymakers and let them know you support action to reduce unnecessary single-use plastic. You can also consider becoming a member of your local environment association to get involved in this effort.
The process of manufacturing a plastic bottle involves several steps. First, the plastic pellets are heated in an injection mould. High-pressure air then inflates the plastic pellets. Then, the bottles must be cooled instantly to maintain their shape. Another option is to circulate liquid nitrogen or blow air at room temperature. These procedures ensure that the plastic bottle is stable and does not lose its shape. Once it's cooled, the plastic bottle can be filled.
Recycling is important, but most plastic bottles are not recycled. Even though some recycling centers accept recycled bottles, most end up in landfills or the oceans. The oceans contain anywhere between 5 and 13 million tons of plastic each year. Sea creatures ingest plastic and some of it even makes its way into the food chain. Plastic bottles are designed to be single-use items. However, you can encourage others to recycle and choose reusable and recyclable options instead.
Plastic bottles are made of various materials. Most common materials include PE, PP, and PC. Generally, bottles made of polyethylene are transparent or opaque. Some polymers are more opaque than others. However, some materials are opaque and can even be melted down. This means that a plastic bottle made from a non-recyclable plastic is often more costly than one made of recycled materials. However, the benefits of recycling plastic are worth the extra cost.