Resin reference · Resin code 4
LDPE Low-density polyethylene
Film & carrier bag — Industrial film, carrier bags, printed film, shrink wrap.
- Resin code
- 4
- Density (g/cm³)
- 0,92
- Water test
- Floats in water
- Accepted form
- Baled · Flake
What is LDPE
LDPE is the sheet plastic. Its molecular chains are branched, so it is soft and stretches before it tears — that is what separates it from stiffer, noisier PP film. It is bulky but light, which is why LDPE is nearly always baled first: a truck bed of loose carrier bags weighs very little.
How to identify it without equipment
- Stretches before it snaps. PP film tears straight across instead.
- Floats at around 0.92 g/cm³ — the lightest after PP.
- Feels limp and does not crackle when crushed.
Everyday items that carry it
- Industrial clear film and sack liners
- Carrier bags and shopping bags
- Shrink wrap and pallet stretch film
- Printed film and sealed packaging
What it becomes after recycling
Clean LDPE returns as bin liners, sheeting and liners; heavily printed film usually drops a grade into dark-coloured products.
What gets a load of it turned away
- Wet or muddy film — water adds weight but is not material.
- Packaging laminated to aluminium foil; the layers cannot be split here.
- Food packaging with residue still inside.
Holding material of this type?
This page covers how to identify and handle the resin. For questions about volume, form, or visiting the yard, get in touch directly.