Do you think of plastic as one kind of material? But actually, the fact is that there are multiple types of plastics. Each type of plastic is used for various applications as per its qualities, such as flexibility or strength. This categorization ensures that the product performs the job as it is supposed to. Plastics are also polymers with extra layers added for strength. So, we shall explore the common types of plastics and polymers.  Types of plastics and polymers Plastics are a group of synthetic materials that may be softened to give shape and then hardened to retain that shape. As mentioned earlier, plastics are also polymers, and the latter are substances of many repeating units owing to the addition of layers. Here are some common types of  plastics and polymers  produced by the chemical industry: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) PET is strong, light, and usually transparent and is commonly used in food packaging and fabrics (polyester). Examples of PET are beverage bottles, food bottles, jars such as peanut butter, etc., and polyester clothing or rope. Sometimes a product is labeled with rPET, which means that it contains a certain amount of material known as recycled PET.  High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Polyethylene is a common  option in the plastics and polymers category, available in three forms Low Density, High Density, and Linear Low Density.