Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Those three words have significant meaning in our world as we try to lessen the amount of waste on our planet. Thermoform plastics are some of the most widely used materials on our planet, and while many people worry about the excess of plastic, there are many aspects of thermoformed plastics that make them quite sustainable.
1. Virtually All Thermoformed Plastics Are Recyclable
Virtually every type of thermoformed plastic can be recycled, in theory, however some are easier to recycle than others. Most curbside recycling programs in the United States allow both high-density polyethylene, known as HDPE, and polyethylene terephthalate, known as PET or PETE. These plastics can be used to create everything from custom food packaging to bags to water bottles.
For those who have a need for custom food packaging or any other form of packages, you might want to consider these two materials as a source. After all, as these can simply be placed into a residential recycling bin, consumers will find it very easy to recycle any product or package made from PET or HDPE.
2. Reduce Waste With Thermoform Plastics
Think back in the past at the sizes of packaging. Often, a package had to be quite large in order to provide adequate protection for a product. However, with careful design, a thermoform plastic piece of packaging can fit perfectly around a package. When you reduce the size of a package, this also reduces the amount of packaging materials that must be used. Likewise, thermoplastics can be used to protect a product from damage and tampering, which is yet another plus.
3. Consider The Weight Factor
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. Recycled Content and Bioplastics Might Be Alternatives
You don't just have to look at synthetic forms of thermoform plastic when searching for choices for your custom food packaging or retail packages. There are starch-based forms of thermoplastic that contain materials that are completely renewable. There are also plastics available that are formed out of recycled materials. When you use recycled plastic, you help the environment because new plastics do not have to be created to make your packaging.
1. Virtually All Thermoformed Plastics Are Recyclable
Virtually every type of thermoformed plastic can be recycled, in theory, however some are easier to recycle than others. Most curbside recycling programs in the United States allow both high-density polyethylene, known as HDPE, and polyethylene terephthalate, known as PET or PETE. These plastics can be used to create everything from custom food packaging to bags to water bottles.
For those who have a need for custom food packaging or any other form of packages, you might want to consider these two materials as a source. After all, as these can simply be placed into a residential recycling bin, consumers will find it very easy to recycle any product or package made from PET or HDPE.
2. Reduce Waste With Thermoform Plastics
Think back in the past at the sizes of packaging. Often, a package had to be quite large in order to provide adequate protection for a product. However, with careful design, a thermoform plastic piece of packaging can fit perfectly around a package. When you reduce the size of a package, this also reduces the amount of packaging materials that must be used. Likewise, thermoplastics can be used to protect a product from damage and tampering, which is yet another plus.
3. Consider The Weight Factor
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. Recycled Content and Bioplastics Might Be Alternatives
You don't just have to look at synthetic forms of thermoform plastic when searching for choices for your custom food packaging or retail packages. There are starch-based forms of thermoplastic that contain materials that are completely renewable. There are also plastics available that are formed out of recycled materials. When you use recycled plastic, you help the environment because new plastics do not have to be created to make your packaging.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys blogging about how stuff is made. For further information about custom packaging solutions, or to find out more about thermoform plastics, please check out the Indepak.com website today.