When we go to the grocery store, we are faced with many choices, not the least of which is which type of bag to choose. Should we choose paper or should we choose plastic? Lately plastic bags are the subject of much scrutiny, and many environmental groups have worked tirelessly to ban these bags from our stores. Some cities and even countries have passed laws against these bags. Before you decide which way to lean, it is good to understand some background information about these bags.
These bags, which are strong but lightweight, are formed from a type of plastic called HDPE or high-density polyethylene. One of the sources of this plastic is natural gas and another is petroleum, and many people worry about using a non-renewable resource to create these bags. It is important to note though, that plastic bags are made from a waste product that is produced when petroleum and natural gas are refined for use as a source of energy.
Of course, energy is used to create the bags and many environmentalists will tell you that it takes as many as 12 million gallons to produce all of these grocery bags. The plastics industry also will give you that same number. What you might not know is that this amount of oil is less than a half of a percent of our nation's total yearly usage of oil. So while a total of 12 million gallons is used in one year, Americans use 18 million barrels of oil each and every day.
Plastic bags are certainly not the only item out there that is produced using this HDPE plastic. Most of our milk jugs around the world, even in countries that have banned plastic bags, are created using HDPE. In addition, this plastic is used to produce food storage containers, snowboard parts, plastic furniture and even those fun banners that we hang up at kids' soccer games and baseball games. HDPE can be recycled again and again, so while it is not biodegradable, it is renewable if people choose to make an effort to recycle.
HDPE is a type of plastic that is known as thermoplastic. This means that items created from HDPE begin with a sheet of thin plastic, which is heated and molded to create a specific shape. It can be molded to fit just about any shape and because it is highly resistant to chemicals, it provides safe storage for a variety of cleaners and detergents.
While most thermoformed plastics are not biodegradable, most of them are recyclable and can be melted down and used again and again. There are many different types of thermoform plastic, including brand names such as Mylar and Styrofoam. Nylon and acrylic are other types of thermoplastic. Just about all the plastic-encased products at the grocery store as well as many toys and packaging are created out of the various types of thermoplastic.
These bags, which are strong but lightweight, are formed from a type of plastic called HDPE or high-density polyethylene. One of the sources of this plastic is natural gas and another is petroleum, and many people worry about using a non-renewable resource to create these bags. It is important to note though, that plastic bags are made from a waste product that is produced when petroleum and natural gas are refined for use as a source of energy.
Of course, energy is used to create the bags and many environmentalists will tell you that it takes as many as 12 million gallons to produce all of these grocery bags. The plastics industry also will give you that same number. What you might not know is that this amount of oil is less than a half of a percent of our nation's total yearly usage of oil. So while a total of 12 million gallons is used in one year, Americans use 18 million barrels of oil each and every day.
Plastic bags are certainly not the only item out there that is produced using this HDPE plastic. Most of our milk jugs around the world, even in countries that have banned plastic bags, are created using HDPE. In addition, this plastic is used to produce food storage containers, snowboard parts, plastic furniture and even those fun banners that we hang up at kids' soccer games and baseball games. HDPE can be recycled again and again, so while it is not biodegradable, it is renewable if people choose to make an effort to recycle.
HDPE is a type of plastic that is known as thermoplastic. This means that items created from HDPE begin with a sheet of thin plastic, which is heated and molded to create a specific shape. It can be molded to fit just about any shape and because it is highly resistant to chemicals, it provides safe storage for a variety of cleaners and detergents.
While most thermoformed plastics are not biodegradable, most of them are recyclable and can be melted down and used again and again. There are many different types of thermoform plastic, including brand names such as Mylar and Styrofoam. Nylon and acrylic are other types of thermoplastic. Just about all the plastic-encased products at the grocery store as well as many toys and packaging are created out of the various types of thermoplastic.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell loves blogging about how stuff is made. For further information about custom packaging solutions or to find out more about product packaging design, please check out the Indepak site today.
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