The Benefits of Using Post-Consumer Plastics

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The standard plastics that we use don&#;t biodegrade quickly and because of this, plastics waste has become an increasingly significant ecological problem.

Plastic recycling efforts have been launched to address this ecological challenge, with two major types of recycling emerging: post-process and post-consumer. Made from waste plastic at a plastic moulding factory, post-process is the more prominent of the two kinds of recycled plastic.

Post-consumer is made from plastic that was used to manufacture an item, which was then discarded, gathered up, cleaned and reprocessed. Products produced from post-consumer plastic close the loop, directing used plastic away from landfills and toward recycling facilities.

While this may sound like a way to completely eliminate plastic waste, there are issues associated with recycling post-consumer plastic. In particular, there are economic roadblocks linked with the collecting, cleaning, organizing, re-processing and other operations, in addition to physical issues like irregular quality and contamination.

Even with the use of blending, which adds strength, post-consumer materials cannot achieve the durability of virgin materials. However, the appearance of 100-percent post-consumer plastics is comparable, as these plastics are capable of a high-quality aesthetic with vibrant colours and a transparency that allows for products to be clearly visible if use to make a container.

This is the reason why manufacturers made a great deal of progress using post-consumer materials for plastic bags and packaging but are still working out the most effective approach for use in large structural products.

Environmental Benefits

Despite some usability concerns, post-consumer plastics do offer significant benefits for the environment.

Research has shown post-consumer plastics have a much smaller carbon footprint than virgin plastics. One study found the carbon footprint of manufacturing a 100-percent, postconsumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used to make a water bottle, is 60 percent lower than the production of virgin PET. This includes all the energy used to gather, recycle and produce new resin.

Furthermore, virgin plastic resins are produced from fossil fuels. When plastics are reused and made into new products, the production process does not require fossil fuels as raw materials, which has untold ecological benefits.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Post Consumer Recycled Resin.

The use of post-consumer plastics can also help address one particularly significant problem: microplastics in the environment. Originating from plastic waste that has been dumped into the environment, microplastics are miniscule, manmade pieces of plastic that range from 5 millimetres to 100 nanometres across. These tiny bits are filling oceans, seas and waterways, working their way into the organisms that live there in the process. Microplastics have also been detected in the atmosphere, both in indoor and outdoor environments, as well as in our food chain.

Clearly, if we are recycling our plastic waste in large enough amounts, instead of dumping it, it can have a massive effect on reducing the amount of microplastics in the environment.

Financial benefits

Previously, the fee for post-consumer resin has been a bit greater than virgin resins. This can be because of the considerable washing, sorting, and processing necessary for the recycled resins.

As the total cost of petroleum-based raw materials constantly rises - however - the cost of post-consumer resins is expected to remain the same. Furthermore, when more consumers recycle plastics, the law of supply and demand will make post-consumer resins very attractive when compared with virgin resins.

Furthermore, research has shown that consumers will actually pay more for products made with post-consumer plastics. According to an international study by Nielsen, 51 percent of respondents between the ages of 50 and 64, and 72 percent of respondents between 15 and 20 said they would pay more for products and services coming from businesses dedicated to making a positive ecological impact. In essence, a manufacturer investing in post-consumer plastic can realize a return, especially if this investment is properly publicized.

Plastic packaging waste is a serious environmental problem that affects our planet and its ecosystems. One way to reduce the negative impact of plastic packaging waste is to use post-consumer and post-industrial recycled resin in the production of new packaging materials. Post-consumer recycled resin is made from plastic waste that has been used by consumers and then collected for recycling. Post-industrial recycled resin is made from plastic waste that has been generated during the manufacturing process of plastic products. Both types of recycled resin can help conserve natural resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and divert waste from landfills. 

PB Packaging offers you the opportunity to include a range of recycled resin mixes in your packaging without compromising on appearance or quality. You can choose from different types of recycled resin depending on your needs and preferences. One of the options that PB Packaging provides is rHDPE, which stands for recycled high-density polyethylene. This is a type of plastic that is commonly used for making bottles and containers. rHDPE is made from post-consumer and post-industrial HDPE waste that has been collected in Australia and processed into new resin. By using rHDPE, you can support the circular economy and reduce your environmental footprint. 

rHDPE has many benefits for both the environment and your business. Some of the advantages of rHDPE are: 

• It reduces the demand for virgin HDPE resin, which is derived from non-renewable fossil fuels. 
• It lowers the carbon impact of plastic packaging by saving energy and avoiding emissions during the production process. 
• It helps prevent plastic waste from ending up in landfills or oceans, where it can harm wildlife and ecosystems. 
• It meets the quality standards for both non-food contact and food contact applications, ensuring the safety and functionality of your products. 
• It enhances the sustainability image of your brand and products, attracting more customers who value environmental responsibility. 

However, rHDPE also has some challenges that need to be considered. One of the main drawbacks of rHDPE is that it costs more than virgin HDPE resin due to the extensive cleaning processes required to remove contaminants and impurities from the recycled material. Another challenge is that rHDPE may have some variations in colour, odour, and performance depending on the source and quality of the waste plastic. Therefore, it is important to work with a reliable manufacturer like PB Packaging who can ensure consistent quality and supply of rHDPE. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of pcr plastic pros and cons. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.