Plastic can be manufactured into forms such as; pipes, cables, coverings, panels, films, sheets, and so on; and can be formed or expanded to create low-density materials; and be dissolved in solvents or dispersed as emulsions.

Some of the main types of plastic that are used in construction include:

• Acrylic.
• Composites.
• Expanded polystyrene.
• ETFE.
• Polycarbonate.
• Polyethylene.
• Polypropylene.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• PTFE.

Some of these plastics’ main uses in the construction industry are:

• Cladding panels.
• Cables.
• Pipes and gutters.
• Windows and doors.
• Shuttering
• Wall linings
• Floor covering
• Ceiling panels.
• Roof coverings.
• Sinks, basins, baths, and showers.
• Worktops
• Insulation materials.
• Membranes.

The advantages of using plastic in construction are that it is lightweight yet strong which makes it easier to transport and shift around sites. It is also resistant to rot and corrosion and has strong weather ability because it can achieve tight seals. Plastic can also be flexible, and is easily extruded, bent, molded, 3D printed, and so on. Plastic can also be easily removed and some plastics can be recycled.

The disadvantages of plastic are that it has a high embodied energy content and a low modulus of elasticity, meaning that it is generally unsuitable for load-bearing applications. Unless treated, most plastics are also ignitable and have a high thermal expansion rate, requiring detailing to allow for adequate thermal movement.

There are environmental concerns about some plastics because of difficulties recycling them, their persistence in the environment after disposal, and concerns regarding chemical additives used to make plastics flexible, resistant to fire, and adhesive.

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Symbol	Type of Plastic	Common Uses	Recycled In
	Polyethylene Terephthalate	Soft Drinks & Water Bottles, Salad Domes, Biscuit Trays, Salad Dressing & Containers	Pillow & Sleeping Bag Filling, Clothing, Soft Drink Bottles, Carpeting, Building Insulation
	High-Density Polyethylene	Shopping Bags, Freezer Bags, Milk Bottles, Ice Cream Containers, Juice Bottles, Shampoo, Chemical & Detergent Bottles, Buckets, Rigid Agricultural Pipe, Crates	Recycling Bins, Compost Bins, Buckets, Detergent Containers, Posts, Fencing, Pipes [PE-100] Plastic Timber
	Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride PVC-U	Cosmetic Containers, Electrical Conduit, Plumbing Pipes & Fittings, Blister Packs, Wall Cladding, Roof Sheeting, Bottles	Flooring, Film & Sheets, Cables, Speed Bumps, Packaging, Binders, Mud Flaps & Mats, New Gumboots & Shoes
	Plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride PVC-P	Garden Hoses, Shoes Soles, Cable Sheathing, Blood Bags & Tubing	Flooring, Film & Sheets, Cables, Speed Bumps, Packaging, Binders, Mud Flaps & Mats, New Gumboots & Shoes
	Low-Density Polyethylene	Cling Wrap, Garbage Bags, Squeeze Bottles, Irrigation Tubing, Mulch Film, Refuse Bags	Bin Liners, Pallet Sheets
	Polypropylene	Bottles & Ice Cream Tubs, Potato Chip Bags, Straws, Microwave Dishes, Kettles, Garden Furniture, Lunch Boxes, Packaging Tape	Pegs, Bins, Pipes, Pallet Sheets, Oil Funnels, Car Battery Cases, Trays
	Polystyrene	CD Cases, Plastic Cutlery, Imitation Glassware, Low-Cost Brittle Toys, Video Cases	Coat Hangers, Coasters, White Ware Components, Stationery Trays & Accessories, Picture Frames, Seed Trays, Building Products
	Expanded Polystyrene	Foamed Polystyrene Cups, Takeaway Clamshells, Foamed Meat Trays, Protective Packaging, Building & Food Insulation	Coat Hangers, Coasters, White Ware Components, Stationery Trays & Accessories, Picture Frames, Seed Trays, Building Products
	This is an ISO code for Plastic Types: e.g. SAN, ABS, PC, Nylon	Automotive & Appliance Components, Computers, Electronics, Cooler Bottles, Packaging	Automotive Components, Plastic Timber, Polycarbonate: PC Sheets

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