By Joseph Coupal on 1/25/2010 3:59 PM

All Atlantic Poly plastic bags are printed using a method called Flexographic Printing. Flexographic printing uses flexible rubber printing plates which are adhered to a cylinder. The inked plates with a slightly raised image are rotated on the cylinder and the image is transferred to the plastic sheet or bag.  All of our inks are water based and are environmentally friendly. We can print up to 8 colors on 2 sides.

Printing on a poly bag obviously adds to the cost of the bag. We can imprint as few as 5000 bags but the cost is much higher because of the set-up. (We find that for cost optimization runs of 25,000 or more are more cost efficient)

There is an initial cost for plates but the customer maintains ownership of the plates. T ... Read More »

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By Joseph Coupal on 1/20/2010 5:16 PM

PRICING ON ITS WAY UP !!

We have been advised that our polyethylene resin suppliers have implemented their previously announced .05/lb increase which will go into affect on Feb. 1, 2010  (This brings the total resin increases implemented since January of last year to over .21/lb).  Our suppliers  are citing continued export volumes, extremely low inventories throughout the supply chain, high operating rates, and rising costs on feed stocks as the main reason for the increases. Please be assured we will continue to support our loyal customers and continue to minimize the impact that these increases have on your business. 

By Joseph Coupal on 1/15/2010 8:47 AM

See table summary below

By Joseph Coupal on 1/9/2010 7:18 AM

RECYCLED BAGS

What is a recycled bag? Blending recycled resin with virgin resin creates a recycled content bag. There are currently no guidelines in place stating what a “decent” blend would be.  Making a 100% recycled bag is not recommended because doing this would compromise the strength of the bag. Our recycled bags are normally mfg. from a 30/70 blend. (30% Recycled/70% Virgin) The recycled content can consist of one of two different types of feedstock…post industrial scrap**(See Below) or post consumer scrap.**  In theory, a “recycled bag” should cost less than a “virgin grade bag” but, because of a fluctuating market this isn’t always the case. (The scrap still has to be processed, cleaned and mfg. into a ... Read More »

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By Joseph Coupal on 1/4/2010 2:28 PM

BIOGEGRADABLE PLASTICS

Biodegradability is an issue we’ve been involved with for the past several years. We urge you to read the following paragraphs to better understand what it involves. Currently we run both types of biodegradable bags (Oxo or Hydro). There is a shelf life with these bags so we currently do not have a stocking program.  Please contact us to help implement a “Green” program for your company.

Types of Biodegradable Plastics - It is important to distinguish between the different types of biodegradable plastic, as their costs and uses are very different.  The two main types are oxo-biodegradable and hydro-biodegradable. In both cases degradation begins with a chemical process (oxidation and hydrolysis respectively), followed by a biological process. Both types emit CO2 as they degrade, but hydro-biodegradable can also emit met ... Read More »

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By Joseph Coupal on 12/28/2009 3:57 PM

As a nationwide supplier of packaging materials we’re faced with unprecedented changes.  Environmental issues have suddenly been thrust to the forefront. We’ve been pro-active on this situation since 1995 with the establishment of  Envirotech Div. (this is the Recycling Division of Atlantic Poly). 

Over the past 15 years we’ve helped remove millions of lbs of scrap from the waste stream.  We receive hundreds of calls inquiring about Recycling, Recycled Bags, Biodegradable Bags, and other environmental questions.  Our views and what we’re doing about these issues will be discussed on the following pages. We realize each of your companies’ can be faced with different environmental challenges.  What works for one company might not be viable for another. We’re here as a ... Read More »

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By Joseph Coupal on 12/28/2009 8:49 AM

Atlantic Poly would like to help in your recycling efforts and conserving our environment:

• Help your company's bottom line
• Help your environment
• Reduce your waste disposal costs
• Potential for value of materials recycled
• Possible tax benefits for recycling material

If you are disposing of any of the below materials, we have the capabilities to remove this material from your company's waste stream and turn that woul ... Read More »

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By Joseph Coupal on 12/22/2009 11:39 AM

Quotes requests for recycled poly bags are on the rise. There are positives and negatives when ordering a recycled poly bag. The pluses being we’re able to blend reprocessed resin in with virgin resin to manufacture a “recycled bag”.  The minuses are many. We cannot make a bag under .0015 thickness because reprocessed resin is not as strong as virgin grade resin. (The strength of the bag can vary from batch to batch..) There’s also a slight “haziness” to the poly because of the blend. A recycled poly bag isn’t always less expensive than a virgin grade bag. (The recycled resin market is very volatile and pricing can increase/decrease in a very short period of time) 

By Joseph Coupal on 12/19/2009 7:12 AM

What It Is
Source reduction is decreasing the amount of materials or energy used during the manufacturing or distribution of products and packages. Because it stops waste before it starts, source reduction is the top solid waste priority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

What Source Reduction Isn't
Source reduction is not the same as recycling. Recycling is collecting already used materials and making them into another product. Recycling begins at the end of a product's life, while source reduction first takes place when the product and its packaging are being designed.
The best way to think about source reduction and recycling is as complementary activities: combined, source reduction and recycling have a significant impact on preventing solid waste and saving resources.

Why It's Important ... Read More »

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By Joseph Coupal on 12/17/2009 2:36 PM

It has been assumed for a while now that imported production of plastic bags is always much cheaper than domestic production.  This is no longer true in many cases.

• Anti-Dumping tariffs have raised import prices.
• Reduction or elimination of Chinese government polyethylene resin subsidies, have raised import prices.
• Cost of moving factories from tariff affected countries (China and Vietnam) to non tariff countries (Cambodia, Laos) have raised import prices.

On standard low density constructions like patch handle, drawstring, drawtape, die cut, and soft loop, domestic might now be the way to g ... Read More »

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By Joseph Coupal on 12/3/2009 7:23 AM

New product meets all EPA and Government Requirements

Binskin Liners… We’ve developed a new line of Roll Off liners called “TRUE LINERS” Guaranteed full gauge, Full spec liners that meet all EPA and Government requirements. BinSkins™ are heavy-duty polyethylene liners, providing maximum protection for your roll-off containers. BinSkins™ reduce potential leakage, lower wash-out costs and increase container longevity. BinSkins™ provide a cleaner, safer, easier way to dump debris, and other airborne contaminants. Easily installed by one person, BinSkins™ quickly roll open and extend over the top and sides of the containers.

By Joseph Coupal on 11/26/2009 5:41 AM

Plastic poly bags have many uses and as we all know they are usually used over and over again.  Whenever we purchase something at a store, more often than not we take our items home in a poly bag. We then reuse these bags to transport something else or  to temporarily store items.

We find these bags are used everywhere including in kid's local sports leagues.  Hats and jerseys are distributed to each team in some form of a plastic bag. As I coach I reuse these bags for other things and hardly ever throw them away.  It's amazing how many uses these are for poly bags but equally impressive is how many times we reuse the bags. 

They are convenient, durable and safe for the environment.

By Joseph Coupal on 11/11/2009 9:13 AM

The uses and markets for polyethylene or poly bags are virtually endless.  Whenever you need to protect an item during storage or shipment, Atlantic Poly can supply a poly bag that is right for the job. Lighter density poly bags are a good choice for items that are not heavy and require only a basic shield from their nearby environmental surroundings. Heavy density poly bags keep your goods safe from harm in more abusive environments where dirt, dust, moisture, and motion could damage your goods.