High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Popular Plastic

Jugs are a convenient way to store, carry or transfer larger volumes of liquids and some dry materials. What if we talk about its material? For me, high-density polyethylene (or HDPE) plastic has been courting my favor recently. This material is economical, impact resistant, and provides a good moisture barrier. Not only is it one of the most versatile of plastics— used in everything from milk storage to cereal box liners. It’s also widely recycled, in both its rigid and flexible form. It’s also the world’s third largest commodity plastic resin after polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene (PP). HDPE production really took off in the 1950s in the U.S.

Why HDPE jugs?

As we know, milk is not stored under pressure, and HDPE is a cheap, easy to blow mold and seal. Plastic milk jugs have a lot going for them. At just four ounces per half-gallon container, they’re light and relatively little energy is required to ship them from the manufacturer to the dairy, and then on to the retailer and finally, the consumer’s home. The only type of packaging that allows an integrated handle and pouring aperture to enable a controlled grip and pour.

Why is it so Popular?

HDPE has many advantageous properties that make it important in the manufacturing of different products.

  • To pursue sustainability goals, many companies use HDPE to reduce the amount of material used in packaging and products.
  • The heavy-duty HDPE plastic is ideally durable and resistant to chemicals and most solvents
  • According to a study, plastics can deliver more food with significantly less waste, energy use, and global warming.
  • It’s malleable.
  • HDPE bottles offer a full range of marketing opportunities
  • HDPE is adaptable as it the only type of plastic that can be used as a monolayer bottle for pasteurized milk, or as a coextruded bottle with barrier layers for UHT or sterilized milk.
  • HDPE plastics are also used in injection molding applications, extruded pipe and conduit, plastic wood composites, and wire and cable covering. Nowadays, there are many companies offering 1 gallon plastic jugs wholesale to buy.

HDPE bottles and containers, on a daily basis, are used for food, beverages, personal care products such as shampoo, and household products. Plus, bread bags and those handy bags in the grocery store produce aisle. Even cereal box liners. It’s versatile and very popular in today’s world.

What about Recycling?

HDPE is accepted at most recycling centers in the world as it’s one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. HDPE is shredded and melted down to further refine the polymer. The plastic is then cooled into pellets which can be used further in manufacturing. Nearly all curbside recycling programs today in the U.S. accept HDPE bottles. The worldwide market for HDPE is huge, with a market volume of around 30 million tons per year. HDPE is non-biodegradable and can take centuries to decompose, so these bags and containers are recycled and used again.

It’s more cost efficient to produce a product from recycled HDPE than it is to manufacture virgin plastic.

HDPE is produced using fossil fuels, and it takes a total of 1.75kg of oil to manufacture just 1kg of HDPE. HDPE can be separated by using Near Infrared Radiation (NIR) techniques unless the plastic is too dark and absorbs the infrared waves.

There are many products that can be made by recycling HDPE,

Products Made with HDPE Recycled Content – Non-Food items

  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Household Cleaners
  • Motor Oil & Antifreeze
  • Fencing & Picnic Tables
  • Pipe
  • Floor Tiles
  • Buckets
  • Crates
  • Flower Pots
  • Recycling Bins

Kellogg’s is also packaged in a stand-alone cereal bag that contains HDPE as well.

There are many leading brands of HDPE for the packaging of their products, keeping all its advantageous points in mind.

Thanks to collective efforts of back 1990s, when plastics recycling really started to grow or shape in the market, HDPE has become quite skilled at eluding dump. Nearly all curbside recycling programs today in the U.S. accept HDPE bottles, which has helped HDPE bottles cross the billion-pound mark for recycling in 2012.

HDPE is a well-liked material nowadays with a stellar future in front of it.

From where to purchase?

There is a leading company in the North American market in providing quality and innovative packaging components and value-added services, named Kaufman Container. Kaufman container also started the 1-gallon plastic jugs wholesale business in Cleveland, Ohio. Jugs are available in different size capacities, neck finishes, and colors.

The company also accepts orders; you can place an order in minimum $500. Ordering jugs in wholesale from Kaufman is a great way to save money — all at Wholesale and Bulk Pricing! Purchase with Trust!

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