At present, the common disposable plastic tableware in the market mainly includes: plastic lunch boxes, plastic cutting boards, disposable straws, plastic knives, forks, spoons, fresh-keeping boxes, plastic stirring rods, etc.
According to the materials used in production, the main materials are PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and PS (polystyrene), all of which are non-toxic, odorless and tasteless.
Generally, the bottom of disposable plastic tableware will be printed with a recycling logo, and each number indicates the material of a plastic product.
1. PET recycling logo: This material has poor heat resistance, and the maximum use temperature does not exceed 70 °C, so it is best to use it at room temperature. Common mineral water bottles and carbonated drink bottles are basically made of this material.
2. PE recycling labels: high-density polyethylene HDPE and low-density polyethylene LDPE respectively.
HDPE is often used as packaging for cleaning and bath products, and is generally not used for food packaging.
LDPE is soft, waxy to the touch, lighter than the same plastic, has a certain degree of transparency, has good heat and cold resistance, good chemical stability, and is commonly used for food cling film and plastic bag.
3. Recycling identification of PP: the general use temperature is -6 °C ~ 120 °C, so it is suitable for holding hot meals, which can be heated in the microwave oven, and even steamed in the steam cabinet, and the use temperature of modified PP can be controlled at -18 °C to +110 °C, and the lunch box made of PP can be heated to 100 °C in addition to being used, and can be put into the refrigerator for refrigeration.
4. The recycling logo of PS: the material is hard, easy to tear, and PS begins to soften when the use temperature reaches 75 °C, so it is not suitable for holding hot meals and hot dishes, but PS has good low-temperature performance and is the best packaging material for refrigerated foods, such as ice cream and glutinous rice balls.