Guide to HDPE

High density polyethylene, or HDPE, is a thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum and is best known for its strength and high impact resistance. It is used for food and beverage containers, cleaning product bottles, personal care packaging, and much more. HDPE plastic can typically be identified by the number 2 in a triangular symbol on the bottom of the container.

There are many advantages of using HDPE plastic, making it a great choice for packaging. It has a high strength to density ratio, meaning the material is light and durable. It is also chemical resistant and works well in a variety of conditions including below freezing temperatures. HDPE plastic is also environmentally friendly – it’s easily recyclable and does not emit harmful chemicals when it is used or recycled, ensuring a reduction in greenhouse gasses. Even with all of these advantages, it is still considered relatively inexpensive compared to other plastics.

Now that you have a good understanding of HDPE, let’s dive into the various products it’s used to create and find the perfect fit for your application!

HDPE Plastic Industrial Bulk Containers

The durable and long-lasting nature of HDPE is excellent for IBC totes, which are used for shipping and storing products in large quantities. HDPE plastic IBC totes are typically UN Rated to store hazardous materials. New plastic totes can be used to store food if they are certified to do so, but not all HDPE totes are food grade. Be sure to look for specifications indicating the tote is FDA compliant before use. 

It’s also important to note that reconditioned totes are not recommended for food applications.

HDPE Plastic Drums & Barrels

Drums and barrels made of HDPE provide long lasting durability and excellent performance, ensuring you can easily rely on them. Plastic drums and barrels can have an open head or a tight head. The most popular size of HDPE plastic drums and barrels is 55 gallons, which is large enough to hold a substantial amount of product. HDPE drums are lightweight and easy to handle, offering convenience along with safety while you transport your products.

HDPE is a great choice for tight head drums because of its high impact resistance. This makes the drums durable enough to withstand rough handling, heavy loads, and even drops without breaking. HDPE tight head drums are a popular choice among chemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and petroleum and lubricants industries.

Open head HDPE plastic drums are not only lightweight, but durable at the same time. This makes the drums easy to maneuver and transport. The durability of HDPE also ensures that the drum can withstand repeated opening and closing of the drum lid without becoming weak. These advantages make open head drums popular in chemical, food processing, paint and coatings, and pharmaceutical industries.

HDPE food grade drums are specifically designed for storing consumable liquids or solids. Not all HDPE storage containers are food grade, but food grade drums meet strict regulatory standards to ensure they are suitable for food contact. Food grade HDPE drums are non-toxic and BPA-free. This means food grade HDPE drums do not leach any harmful chemicals into food that you store.

Although reconditioned drums are not food safe, they can be used for packaging, storing, and shipping other products. HDPE reconditioned drums can be UN Rated, meaning many industries use them to store chemicals and other hazardous materials. HDPE is durable, so it can resist rounds of reconditioning without loss to integrity.

HDPE plastic salvage drums are great for handling damaged or leaking containers holding hazardous materials, spill kits, biowaste, and more. 

Overpack drums are designed to hold bulk containers carrying hazardous materials for spill prevention purposes.

Both types of drums are suitable for a variety of products due to HDPE plastic’s high chemical resistance and durability. Having high chemical resistance helps prevent the plastic from corroding and melting. This makes them ideal for any industry working with hazardous materials.

HDPE plastic rain barrels are reconditioned from drums and barrels that were previously used for food packaging. These durable barrels sit outside and collect rainwater, even through storms. HDPE barrels include an overflow fitting and a spigot. They can be paired with flex elbows, netting, pedestals, and rain diverters for optimal usage.

HDPE Plastic Tight Head Containers

Plastic tight head containers are great choices for applications such as paints, adhesives, liquids, chemicals, and more. HDPE is resistant to a wide range of chemicals, and can withstand impact during storage or transportation without cracking or breaking. Their closed head design prevents spills and leaks, ensuring the contents inside remain secure. Many of these containers are also UN Rated for storing and shipping hazardous materials. 

Square plastic tight head pails are ideal for storing liquids, paints, adhesives, additives, chemicals, and more. Their shape allows for easy handling and stacking, making them perfect for industrial use.

Round plastic tight head pails are great for storing consumable liquids as well as industrial agents such as chemicals or additives. Their round shape and built-in handle provides convenient transportation and handling.

Plastic euro tight heads are designed for storing products such as liquids or chemicals. Their tamper evident necks prevent unauthorized access, and their fixed handle allows for easy handling. 

Lightweight economy jugs can be used for a variety of applications, including chemicals or cleaning solution storage. Their lightweight design makes them easy to handle and transport.

HDPE Plastic Pails & Buckets

HDPE plastic pails and buckets are widely used in the food, construction, and household industries. They are FDA compliant, making them suitable for holding ingredients such as syrups, sauces, and dry goods. The durability of HDPE makes it ideal for construction, where they are used for carrying materials such as paint, adhesives, and cement. For more standard household uses, HDPE pails and buckets are ideal for cleaning, gardening, and storage due to their long-lasting durability for both indoor and outdoor use.

Open head round plastic pails are ideal for storing and transporting various products such as chemicals, paints, and food. Their open head design allows easy access for filling, dispensing, and cleaning.

Tight head plastic pails are designed for storing and transporting liquid products, making them a great choice for paints, adhesives, additives, chemicals, and other applications. Their tight head design ensures secure storage and helps prevent spills from occurring.

Square buckets & pails are great options for food and industrial applications. They are FDA compliant for food storage, and are available with tamper evident plastic tear tabs to ensure safe storage. Their square shape also makes them ideal for stacking.

Screw top pails ensure the safe storage of products, making them ideal for food or potentially hazardous chemicals and industrial products. Screw top pails are compatible with threaded pail lids featuring a life latch, ensuring an airtight seal and secure storage of contents. 

EZ Stor® containers are used for a variety of applications involving dry products. They can be used for pet care, household, construction, and more. EZ Stor® containers are ideal for frequent dispensing and refilling.

HDPE Plastic Containers

Each type of plastic has its benefits, but HDPE continues to be a versatile plastic with various benefits. 

HDPE plastic has good flexibility and can be squeezed for applications that require dispensing. HDPE can also be easily dyed, which is ideal for color-coding products or for branding purposes. While color is an option, HDPE containers can also come in their natural state which has a semi-transparent appearance.

HDPE bottles are known for their strength and versatility. These bottles are a great choice for food, automotive, pharmaceutical, and household chemical industries. Common uses for HDPE plastic bottles include shampoo bottles, vitamin/pill packers, chemical storage, and food storage.

HDPE jars are made in many different styles including spice, straight sided, wide mouth, oblong w/handles, pinch grip, and canister. These jars are ideal for storing foods, spices, personal care products, household products, and more.

HDPE gallon jugs are perfect for a variety of applications. Our food grade styles include milk jugs and certain industrial jugs, commonly used for sauces. Some HDPE jugs, such as F-style bottles and laboratory carboys are also UN rated, making them suitable for storing industrial cleaners and chemicals.

HDPE plastic tubs offer a versatile solution for multiple industries. Whether you’re working with food and beverage, cosmetics, inks, or industrial products, HDPE tubs can take on the task of any application without weakening. Not only are they strong and chemically resistant, they are also food safe and can withstand a range of temperatures between -50℉ and 180℉. This makes it a great option for freezing and microwaving products.

HDPE Plastic Caps & Closures

HDPE caps and closures can be used for sealing, dispensing, and pumping products. HDPE bottle caps come in various styles, including child resistant caps, tamper evident caps, continuous thread plastic caps, and much more.

Commonly used for sealing food and beverage items, HDPE is well known for providing a barrier against moisture. This helps maintain the quality of the product being packaged without having to worry about it spoiling quickly. 

If you plan on storing and packaging hazardous materials, you’ll be required to pair the container with a compatible UN Rated cap. HDPE has excellent chemical resistance and is often paired with UN Rated containers for a secure and safe seal.

HDPE closures are also common for industrial uses, often paired with containers such as pails, tight head containers, drums, and IBC totes.

HDPE industrial caps are commonly used with IBC totes and drums. Caps being used with these containers need to have good chemical resistance and the durability to withstand harsh chemicals and other hazardous materials, making HDPE a top option for these applications.

Tamper evident beverage caps use features such as tear strips or ratchet mechanisms to reveal whether a product has been opened. HDPE is a great option for tamper evident caps because of its flexibility, chemical resistance, and safety. Tamper evident caps have to be flexible so that the protective features can bend and break. HDPE is also FDA approved for food contact, so this is a safe option for packaging consumable products.

HDPE plastic pails and buckets are used in a variety of industries, which is why their partnering lids and covers have to be strong enough to withstand a variety of applications. HDPE lids and covers are most commonly used to seal anywhere from food ingredients to paints and coatings. Whether you have an HDPE pail or an HDPE bucket, you can find compatible standard lids, gamma seal lids, threaded lids, tear strip lids, and even more for your preferred use.

HDPE Plastic Spill Control & Containment

HDPE plastic spill prevention systems are perfect for any environment dealing with harmful substances because of the materials chemical resistance. HDPE also has high impact resistance, ensuring long term dependability. HDPE is often used in spill prevention products such as drum spill decks, drum spill pallets, drum racks, and spill containment trays. Rough shipping and handling as well as product transfer can create situations that require leaks, so it’s best to be prepared and use materials that guarantee the best protection in any scenario.

At The Cary Company, we recognize the importance of choosing the right product for your application. If you’re looking for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) products, our knowledgeable product specialists are available to answer any questions and help you find the perfect container or solution for your needs. Give us a call at 630-629-6600 or email us at sales@thecarycompany.com!