CuttingBoardWerks’ plastic commercial cuttingboards are custom cut from high-density polyethylene, or HDPE. But what are HDPE cutting boards? How are they made, and why is it such a good surface for cutting boards?
What are HDPE Cutting Boards?
HDPE, or High-density polyethylene, is a type of plastic, made from the natural gas ethane. Ethane is heated until its molecules break, createing ethylene. A chain of ethylene molecules that are strung together creates HDPE.
The United Kingdom created HDPE in the 1930s. HDPE was also a component of high-frequency radar cables during World War II. It became popular in the United States during the 1950s.
HDPE is one of the most widely used types of plastic, and is used in thousands of products. It often replaces heavy materials previously used in milk jugs, bottles, food, beverage and chemical containers, pipes, cutting boards, plastic lumber, toys, furniture, lawn and garden products, automobile and bike parts, and more.
HDPE in the Environment
HDPE is certified by the Food and Drug Administration, National Sanitation Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture as an eco-friendly plastic. HDPE does not contain allergens, heavy metals or phthalates, and does not leak toxic chemicals or emit harmful fumes.
HDPE is often recycled and reused in toys, bottles, trash cans, plastic lumber, composite wood and more, because the recycled HDPE requires less energy to produce.
CuttingBoardWerks’ cutting boards come in seven colors (red, yellow, green, blue, beige, black and natural white), and natural white comes in four thicknesses (1/4″, 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”), and our popular color cutting boards are available in the 1/2″ and 3/4″ thicknesses.
