Plastic bottle

Botella de plástico - PET

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antifreeze

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Bottled Zamzam water - Flickr - Al Jazeera English

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Plastic Bottle Cap

Bottle of milk

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PETling

== Plastic bottle ==

A plastic bottle is a bottle constructed from high-density or low-density plastic. Plastic bottles are typically used to store liquids such as water, soft drinks, motor oil, cooking oil, medicine, shampoo, milk, and ink. The size ranges from very small bottles to large carboys.

History

The development of plastic bottles began in the 1940s, but it wasn't until the 1960s that they became widely used. The introduction of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the 1970s revolutionized the industry due to its strength, lightweight, and recyclability.

Types of Plastic

Plastic bottles are made from a variety of plastics, including:

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polystyrene (PS)

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process of plastic bottles involves several steps:

• Injection Molding: Plastic pellets are melted and injected into a mold to form the bottle preform.
• Blow Molding: The preform is heated and placed in a mold where it is blown into the shape of the final bottle.
• Cooling and Ejection: The bottle is cooled and ejected from the mold.

Environmental Impact

Plastic bottles have a significant environmental impact. They contribute to plastic pollution and are a major component of landfill waste. Recycling programs and the development of biodegradable plastics are efforts to mitigate this impact.

Recycling

Plastic bottles are recyclable and can be processed to create new products. The recycling process involves:

• Collection: Bottles are collected from recycling bins and centers.
• Sorting: Bottles are sorted by type of plastic.
• Cleaning: Bottles are cleaned to remove any residue.
• Shredding: Bottles are shredded into small flakes.
• Melting and Reforming: The flakes are melted and reformed into new products.

Uses

Plastic bottles are used in various industries, including:

• Beverage Industry: For packaging water, soft drinks, and juices.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: For packaging medicines and health supplements.
• Cosmetic Industry: For packaging shampoos, conditioners, and lotions.
• Household Products: For packaging cleaning agents and detergents.

Related Pages

• Plastic
• Recycling
• Polyethylene terephthalate
• Environmental impact of plastic bottles
• Plastic pollution
• Blow molding