Recycling LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)

Recycling LDPE film

LDPE was the first grade of polyethylene to be manufactured on an industrial scale (1939) and is still the most commonly used type today.

LDPE is commonly known as Low Density Polyethylene as it is produced using a high pressure process. LDPE is a tough, transparent or opaque material which feels soft and slightly greasy to the touch. It is not easy to print on LDPE, but it can be welded. LDPE is also water-resistant and has a high resilience to oil and grease, making it suitable for packaging films (shrink-wrap and cling film), refuse bags, carrier bags and agricultural film. LDPE is not able to withstand high temperatures, but it can be used in freezers. As LDPE plastic is usually only used once, it thankfully lends itself well to being recycled. Raff Plastics is able to recycle a wide variety of LDPE types including loose LDPE films (coloured and transparent), LDPE film rolls, compressed LDPE bales and pieces of LDPE.