The Use of Plastic in the Home

Why Plastic?

Plastic is a durable and strong material that uses fewer resources in production than a lot of its competitor materials. It is also often a lot more cost-effective than other materials, such as wood, metal and glass. The flexibility and versatility of plastic gives it plenty of uses in the home, both inside and out. It can be found on appliances such as televisions, telephones, and microwaves and in the textiles found on sofas, carpets and clothes.

It is also used heavily in kitchens and bathrooms due to its water and chemical resistant properties, which make it a hygienic material to use. Also, using plastic packaging for our foodstuffs can significantly extend their shelf lives.

 Which Materials are Used?

One of the most common plastics found in the home is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). This material varies between being rigid and completely flexible, which means it can be used in a number of circumstances. PET is water resistant and it is often used to produce packaging for foods and toiletries. 

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is another plastic that is used frequently in a household environment as it is a cost-effective material and it is easy to work with. PVC is water-resistant and is used both indoors and outdoors as a result. It’s often used for window frames, flooring, furniture and clothing.

 Acrylic (Perspex) is also commonly used in the home. This material is a cost-effective alternative to glass window panes, and it can also be found in fibre optic cables, television screens and storage units.

Another material that is used frequently is Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) because of its non-reactive and durable properties. It is used to produce bin liners, drinks cartons, work surfaces and even garden slides.