We are all taught, practically from our first days in kindergarten, that we must reduce and reuse and recycle. These three R's remind us all that we have a responsibility as well as an opportunity to change what occurs on our planet and make changes for the better. If you are worried about how we can make thermoformed plastics a bit more sustainable, you will be pleased to learn that plastics don't have to be a burden to the environment.
1. Recycling Is Easy With Thermoform Plastic
While some thermoformed plastics are easier to recycle than others, just about every type of thermoform plastic can be recycled and reused. For instance, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are two common types of thermoplastic used for water bottles, custom food packaging and more. Almost all American curbside recycling programs accept these plastics.
If you are a manufacturer that needs custom food packaging or another type of packaging, these two thermoplastics might be excellent choices to consider, as consumers can simply use your product and then toss it into their recycling bin. While other types of plastics are recyclable, these two are the easiest for Americans to recycle.
2. Thermoformed Plastics & Reduce Package Sizes
Unlike cardboard, aluminum or glass, thermoplastics are quite easy to form into almost any shape. This means you can use less packaging and still provide plenty of protection for a product. A thermoforming company can create a custom food packaging or product packaging design that truly limits the amount of materials needed overall. This provides companies with the opportunity to reduce plastic use and provide consumers with recyclable packaging at the same time.
3. Weight Makes A Difference
If you have three empty containers, one glass, one metal and one thermoformed plastic, which one weighs less? The thermoform plastic package weighs less, of course. But how does that affect sustainability? Transportation requires the use of vehicles that typically use fossil fuels as their energy source. If you use lighter packaging materials, you can place more products into a large truck or train car or on a container ship. If you can fit more items into a truck, then you have fewer trips to make in order to reach stores and shops. This means it takes less fuel to transport your goods, which preserves fossil fuels and even can improve air quality.
4. New Materials Are Worth A Look
While most thermoformed plastics are recyclable, you also can look at even more sustainable options. For instance, perhaps your retail package or custom food packaging could be produced using thermoformed materials that contain recycled content. Another option would be to consider a starch-based type of plastic that is created from natural, renewable materials rather than synthetic plastics.
1. Recycling Is Easy With Thermoform Plastic
While some thermoformed plastics are easier to recycle than others, just about every type of thermoform plastic can be recycled and reused. For instance, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are two common types of thermoplastic used for water bottles, custom food packaging and more. Almost all American curbside recycling programs accept these plastics.
If you are a manufacturer that needs custom food packaging or another type of packaging, these two thermoplastics might be excellent choices to consider, as consumers can simply use your product and then toss it into their recycling bin. While other types of plastics are recyclable, these two are the easiest for Americans to recycle.
2. Thermoformed Plastics & Reduce Package Sizes
Unlike cardboard, aluminum or glass, thermoplastics are quite easy to form into almost any shape. This means you can use less packaging and still provide plenty of protection for a product. A thermoforming company can create a custom food packaging or product packaging design that truly limits the amount of materials needed overall. This provides companies with the opportunity to reduce plastic use and provide consumers with recyclable packaging at the same time.
3. Weight Makes A Difference
If you have three empty containers, one glass, one metal and one thermoformed plastic, which one weighs less? The thermoform plastic package weighs less, of course. But how does that affect sustainability? Transportation requires the use of vehicles that typically use fossil fuels as their energy source. If you use lighter packaging materials, you can place more products into a large truck or train car or on a container ship. If you can fit more items into a truck, then you have fewer trips to make in order to reach stores and shops. This means it takes less fuel to transport your goods, which preserves fossil fuels and even can improve air quality.
4. New Materials Are Worth A Look
While most thermoformed plastics are recyclable, you also can look at even more sustainable options. For instance, perhaps your retail package or custom food packaging could be produced using thermoformed materials that contain recycled content. Another option would be to consider a starch-based type of plastic that is created from natural, renewable materials rather than synthetic plastics.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys blogging about how stuff is made. For further details about custom packaging solutions, or to find out more about thermoform plastics, please check out the Indepak.com website today.
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