Table 1.
| Plastic Type and Structure [9] | Main Uses [9] | Annual Production/ Million Metric Tons [35] |
Specific Surface Degradation Rate (Min−Max; μm Tear−1) [17] |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land | Marine | |||
| Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) [36] | Beverage bottles, Food bottles/jars and polyester clothing or rope | 30.5 | 0 | - |
| High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | Milk cartons, detergent bottles, cereal box liners, toys, buckets, park benches, and rigid pipes | 66.96 | 1.0 (0.91−1.1) |
4.3 (0−11) |
| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl) | Plumbing pipes, credit cards, human and pet toys, rain gutters, teething rings, IV fluid bags and medical tubing, and oxygen masks | 44.3 | 0 | - |
| Low-Density Polyethylene (>LDPE) | Plastic wrap, sandwich and bread bags, bubble wrap, garbage bags, grocery bags and beverage cups | >1500 | 11 | 15 (0−37) |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Straws, bottle caps, prescription bottles, hot food containers, packaging tape, disposable diapers, and DVD/CD boxes | 56 | - | 7.5 |
| Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam) | Cups, takeout food containers, shipping and product packaging, egg cartons, cutlery and building insulation | 15.61 | 0 | - |
| Other | Eyeglasses, baby and sports bottles, electronics, CD/DVDs, lighting fixtures, and clear plastic cutlery | - | 270 (20−1400) |
16 (7.5−29) |