While many people worry about plastics and their effect on the environment, it might be interesting to know that many plastics manufacturers are also highly concerned about the environment and have take steps to create products that are as sustainable as possible.
The creation of plastic packaging is often known as thermoforming, which is when large sheets of thin plastic are heated and molded into a specific shape and then trimmed and cooled. The type of plastic used for this process is called thermoplastic, and the components used to create these plastic sheets include a variety of different kinds of polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and more.
Within the thermoplastic business, there are different definitions or levels of sustainability as far as the materials are concerned. Some thermoplastics are known as bio-based, which means that the product was completely created or party created using sources that are renewable. These sources can include byproducts from animals, plants or trees. Biomass is another common term, and this indicates that a product was made using renewable plants, such as algae, grasses, trees or other types of plants.
Biodegradable plastic is a type of plastic that can decompose when certain organisms such as bacteria are added to it. There are many different types of biodegradable plastic. Some are made with starch derivatives; others are produced using cellulose esters, polyanhydrides or polyvinyl alcohol. Bioplastics is a term that is used to describe plastic that is either biodegradable or created with bio-based materials.
Other types of plastic include compostable plastic. This is basically plastic that can degrade within 180 days to the point where it leaves no residual toxins behind. In addition to using materials that are degradable or compostable, many plastics companies also work hard to ensure that there is little waste produced when products are trimmed or cut.
Many plastic products are produced using recycled content. This means the materials came from the pre-consumer part of the production process or after consumers have used the product. Pre-consumer materials are those which are never used by consumers, such as the excess plastic trimmed when packaging is produced. Post-consumer means that the item was used by a consumer and then recycled to make something new.
Lenna Stockwell loves blogging about how stuff is made. For more info about custom product packaging or to discover more about blister packaging, please visit the Indepak.com website now.
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