Commodity plastics are generally inexpensive, available from several sources, and most often known by their generic chemical names. A few of the generic names for these plastics are polystyrene (PS),...

Commodity plastics are generally inexpensive, available from several sources, and most often known by their generic chemical names. A few of the generic names for these plastics are polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyester (PET). Typical examples of products made from these materials are detergent and fabric softener bottles (PE); throwaway cups, forks, and so on (PS); and soft drink bottles (PET). The price range for commodity plastics—also known as commodity resins—is typically $0.60—$1.00 per pound.