Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)Let’s take a look at each of these distinctive plastics in more detail. Polypropylene (PP) 5. Other manufacturers are also exploring the use of Polyvinyl Alcohol in the making of toys as an alternative to plastics. The manufacture of PVC creates dioxin, a serious carcinogen. The exact type of plastic used will depend on the specific toy, but some types are more common than others, such as polyethylene, poly vinyl chloride and polypropylene. Although the dioxin shouldn't be in the plastic, it's a byproduct of the manufacturing process, so buying less PVC may be an environmentally smart decision. It is commonly used as the sheathing material for computer cables, to make plastic pipes and … Polypropylene Toys. To learn more about industrial plastic and its infinite uses, call or contact A&C Plastics… This type of plastic is used to create packaging, signs, pet enclosures, and even medical equipment. Bisphenol-A -- usually called BPA -- was long used in toys, baby bottles, dental sealants, and even thermal receipt tape. Although it doesn't happen to every toy made with this type of plastic, gold ABS materials are known to suffer from flaking. He also writes about the industry. A toy designer’s mission is to enable creative play experiences and engage the imagination of children, who learn as they play. As the similar name might suggest, polypropeylene (PP) features similar properties to polyethylene; both are polymers, but the former comes from propylene instead rather than ethylene. Polycarbonate . Polystyrene. LEGO blocks are made from ABS plastic because it is so light and durable. The next time you can't get that Marvel or DC figure out of its plastic prison, at least you'll know your enemy's name. The volume and type of those additives will vary by the object and may differ significantly from toy to toy. One of the sturdiest types of plastic on the list, polyethylene comes in two forms: low- and high-density. ABS plastic is heat-resistant, lightweight and impact-resistant. Plasticizers such as adipates and phthalates had long been added to brittle plastics such as polyvinyl chloride to make them pliable enough for toys. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) 6. Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, otherwise known as ABS plastic, is a lightweight material popularly used in children's toys. Avoid plastics that are marked with a "3" or "PVC" because polyvinyl chloride plastics often contain additives that can make plastics more harmful than they need to be for children. Seth Amery is a long-time writer whose specialties extend to all areas of video games, having written thousands of tutorials, fully-featured strategy guides and reviews across all platforms. Machine parts are generally made from high density polystyrene whilst bottles are made from the low density polystyrene. At the same time, toys must be safe for children to play with—both in their design and in the materials used. The kind you see with toys is the thicker and sturdier high-density, whereas low-density polyethylene is more commonly used for trash bags and similar items. Neither you nor your child can escape the touch of plastics, and for the most part, you don't need to worry about it. Traces of these compounds can possibly leak out of the product. In the late 1950s, high-impact polystyrene was introduced, which was not brittle; it is commonly used today to make toy figurines and similar novelties. Many of the toy cars you'll find that feature tires that appear to be rubber are actually made using the plastic PVC. Plastic Definition and Examples in Chemistry, The Safest Type of Water Bottle to Drink From, A Brief History of the Invention of Plastics, Everything You Need to Know About Plastics, Learn the Basics of the Plastic Resin Polypropylene, B.S., Business Management, University of Colorado Boulder. Polystyrene is a rigid, brittle, inexpensive plastic commonly used to make plastic model kits and other toys. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 7. Polycarbonate also makes an appearance on Transformers as windows; this transparent plastic resembles compact discs -- because it's the kind used to make them 2. The next time you can't get that Marvel or DC figure out of its plastic prison, at least you'll know your enemy's name. PET plastic water bottle. In addition, there is a growing call for sustainability in toys, driven by a combination of consumer demand and corporate responsibility. There is a growing demand for this material as it’s a high quality plastic with a ton of uses. Regardless of the type of plastic you encounter, it's always wise to discard or recycle any plastic object that shows obvious signs of wear or degradation. Most plastics are perfectly safe for even very small children. The material is also a base of EPS foam. Much more commonly known as PVC or vinyl, poly vinyl chloride is more rubbery than it is solid, though that doesn't mean it's not also durable. Typically found in Hasbro's Transformers toy line and in LEGO, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a sturdy and tough plastic 2.