Atlantic Poly's Blog

Atlantic Poly Plastic Bags have many uses

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:04:00 GMT

Atlantic Poly’s polyethylene bags are popular and commonly required items. These bags are also known as clear poly bags and are always available with an opening at the top. They are mainly required for packaging purposes, and these bags can be heat-sealed or secured with a bag-tie. These bags are useful for many needs, such as:

For the storage and protection of art and furniture
Packing of electronic parts
For the packing of garment and bedding covers
Bags for waste disposal
To pack goods that are in transit
Retail display
Sale of goods at craft and pet shops
To package food and medical devices
Bags for freezer grade

Polyethylene Bags are mostly made from a polyethylene film which is created by using a Blown Film Extrusion process. In the process small plastic pellets called resin are melted down conditions and pressed through a circular die gap to form a lengthy tube of plastic. Whilst in this state the plastic is stretched to the desired size and thickness to form the different gauges of plastic. The bags are made by cutting rolls of this film and heat sealing them. Rolls of this sheeting is sent through a machine which takes in material of a proper length, the machine then cycles to place a seal on it and then cuts it off to make an individual bag.

Printed Poly Bags Are Good For Marketing

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:57:00 GMT

Atlantic Poly’s printed poly bags are very affordable and effective in terms of marketing for its customers. These items can be made from any density film, which allows using them in various ways. There are two common types of materials used for these packages, namely: polyethylene LDPE and HDPE.

The most common of printed bags are the T-shirt bags. The practical handles allow the T-shirt bags to withstand considerable weight, while their side folds help them achieve substantial capacity. Plastic T-shirt bags are widely used in supermarkets and other commercial outlets. The low cost of these bags permit offering them free of charge to customers. Favorable prices make these bags an attractive target for advertising such as trademarks, logos, and contacts. In addition to advertising, they have a good branding value - according to studies; printed poly bags with logos increase the commitment to the brand. Contrary to popular belief, T-shirt bags are not single-use. According to statistics, they are used 2-4 times on average, depending on their size and strength. They can be made of HDPE or LDPE. You can choose the size and shape of the packages, and the color of the film. Atlantic Poly ensures that these bags can be made for you in the shortest possible time.

Atlantic Poly Envirotech Recycling Division Wants To Help Your Recycling Efforts

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:12:00 GMT

Atlantic Poly Envirotech Recycling Division Wants To Help Your Recycling Efforts

If you are disposing plastic bags or any of the such, Atlantic Poly wants to help in your contribution to our environment. We have the capabilities to remove the material and recycle it into some of our recycled products. While recycling plastic bags might seem like just a small action, it is actually one of the most important you can take for the environment. Recycled plastics can be used to create new plastics, reducing the need to find new sources of oil. Plastics also create a significant percentage of our solid waste. Garbage dumped into the ocean has created a large area in the Pacific Ocean called the Pacific Garbage Patch, an area covered in floating plastic that is twice the size of the state of Texas. Removing plastic bags from the waste cycle plays an important role in reducing land and water pollution.

Recycling plastic bags helps reduce the use of new plastics. It also helps reduce the use of wood. Most recycled plastic bags become part of a plastic-lumber composite material, reducing the need to cut down forests to create lumber products. In an era of increasing environmental constraint, thinking wisely about reuse rather than using new materials makes sense.

Atlantic Poly Plastic Bags Are Reuseable

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:10:00 GMT

Atlantic Poly’s Plastic Bags Are Reuseable - Atlantic Poly can be the source of all your polyethelene needs. We offer a wide variety of products to suit your poly needs. One of the most common are plastic bags. They are multi-purpose bags made of polyethylene. Plastic bags can be used for varied purposes such as to wrap food, store extra stuff while traveling, and to hoard wet or dirty clothes. They are also ideal as trash bags during journeys. Strength, durability, versatility, and variety are some of the key advantages of Atlantic Poly’s plastic bags.

Plastic bags aren’t just used for household purposes they can serve industrial purposes as well. Self-adhesive, resalable drawstring or tote bags are the most commonly used plastic bag. Shrink bags, and durable plastic bags for heavy machinery are all used daily in the industrial areas. Many food items that are available these days come in a wide variety of plastic bags, each suiting a different purpose. Some bags that are used in the vegetable and fruit sections come in rolls that can be easily cut off. These have opening at one end and do not have any sealing attachments. Plastic bags that need to be vacuum-free are made of more durable plastic and are closed from all sides except for a small opening through which the air is sucked out to create a vacuum inside before sealing it. Many of the bags Atlantic Poly provides are supplied to grocery chains, and when consumers use those bags they become useful bags for other items they own.

Polyethylene Bubble wrap: Great for protection and stress relief

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:15:00 GMT

Some people wonder how sensitive products should be wrapped in the bubble wrap product. Well first of all the bubbles should be INSIDE. By doing it this way all of the surface sections are protected by several bubbles at the same time. Not to mention, since the external plastic layer will distribute the sharp impact on a group of bubbles simultaneously, and also it protects the individual bubbles from unnecessary breaking.

Polyethylene bubble wrap can come in various sizes. It can range from 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in diameter, to an inch (26 millimeters) or more, to provide added levels of shock absorption during transportation. In addition to the degree of protection available from the size of the air bubbles in the plastic, the bubble wrap itself can offer some forms of protection for the object in question. Atlantic Poly also offers anti-static type of bubble wrap. So when shipping those sensitive electronic parts and components, an anti-static bubble wrap dissipates a static charge, thereby protecting the sensitive electronic chips from static which can damage them.

And who cannot deny the recognizable "popping" sound bubble wrap makes when compressed and punctured? According to many stress relief programs and sites, bubble wrap is one of the leading causes to reduce stress. Acknowledging this alternative use, some websites provide a "virtual bubble wrap" program which displays a sheet of bubble wrap that users may "pop" by clicking on the bubbles. So here at Atlantic Poly, Inc. our bubble wrap protects in so many ways.

Polypropylene Making A Difference in the Gulf Oil Spill

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:41:00 GMT

Polypropylene Making A Difference in the Gulf Oil Spill

Did you know mechanical recovery of oil by oil sorbents is one of the most important countermeasures in marine oil-spill response? Polypropylene is the ideal material for marine oil-spill recovery due to its low density, low water uptake and excellent physical and chemical resistance. If you are currently or plan to support the Gulf clean up, give us a call to discuss how we can quickly and economically help equip you to get the job done.

Recycling Tip on Mailing Lists

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:14:00 GMT

If you’re interested in living a more eco-friendly lifestyle like we are at Atlantic Poly, here’s something you can do that will help protect the environment and preserve your sanity... reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by 90 percent.

Get Off the Lists - You can also go to OptOutPreScreen.com, which can enable you to remove your name from lists that mortgage, credit card and insurance companies use to mail you offers and solicitations. It’s a centralized website run by the four major credit bureaus in the United States: Equifax, Experian, Innovis and TransUnion.

Most businesses check with one or more of these companies before accepting your credit card or granting you credit for a long-term purchase. They are also a huge source of names and addresses for credit card, mortgage and insurance companies that routinely send junk mail to attract new customers and solicit new business. But there’s a way to fight back. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit bureaus to delete your name from their rented lists if you make the request.

Use Anti Static Ploy Tubing to package sensitive devices with varying lengths

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:36:00 GMT

Anti static poly tubing is an economical way to package or enclose objects of same width but various lengths. Poly tubing can be heat sealed or taped at either one or both ends. Surface resistivity of 1012 ohms/sq.in. Amine-free, PAS tubing is designed for applications in which Faraday Cage Protection is NOT required. Anti static material effectively eliminates the hazard of electro-static damage to sensitive electronic components during packaging, storing, handling, and shipping.

POLY or PVC Shrink Wrap Uses

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:13:00 GMT

PVC SHRINK COLLARS - Commonly used as a security measure on medication bottles. Available in a variety of gauges, colors, and prints. Horizontal or vertical perforations are available for easy open. All sizes are custom.

PVC PREFORMED WINE CAPS - Commonly used on wine and champagne bottles as a security measure.

POLYETHYLENE SHRINK BUNDLING FILM - Single wound shrink low density polyethylene generally used to shrink wrap bundles of newspaper, cases of bottled water or soda, individual boxes, etc.

POLYETHYLENE SHRINK PALLET COVERS - Clear shrink pallet covers are stock for some standard sized pallets. Custom sizes are available in a variety of sizes, gauges and prints. Shrink pallet covers are used by covering the pallet with the bag and applying heat with a hand held propane powered heat gun.

PVC SHRINK WRAP BAGS - Used for shrink wrapping a variety of small items, generally in small quantity. Bags are stocked in sizes ranging from 6"x6" up to 14"x20" . Bags with a rounded top are also stocked, commonly used for gift baskets. The bags would be sealed with a tabletop heat sealer and shrunk with a hand held 110V electric industrial heat gun.

Why Use Vapor Barriers

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:46:00 GMT

In cold climates, insulation alone is not enough to keep our costly heat from escaping. Given the slightest opportunity our precious heat will find its way out in an alarming way.

Once we understand the principle that warm air is attracted to cold air, and not the other way around, it should become almost a matter of pride to keep that warm air in! Although some heat is lost by conduction through the insulation, most of the heat loss in a building is through air movement, or air infiltration, through the walls.

That's where vapor barriers come in. A vapor barrier – also known as vapor retarder – is merely a continuous sheet of impermeable material installed on the inside, i.e. the warm side of the wall, and it's designed to keep the warm air from escaping through or around the insulation and other building components.

There are several reasons for wanting to keep the warm air inside the house through a vapor barrier installation; among them:

Energy efficiency
Heating costs
Preventing the deterioration of the building materials (wood, insulation) by moisture (hence the alternate term moisture barrier). In winter, as the heated air meets the cold air, it creates condensation, which is water of course. The vapor barrier is designed to prevent this phenomenon from taking place.
Health problems caused by molds

Plastic Pocket Holders

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:57:00 GMT

Plastic Pocket Holders are the economical choice to hold your warranties, instruction books, job tickets, and other documents or items for easy viewing and storage. If you don't see one on our site that fits your needs, we can make custom sizes. An example of a holder is below.

Fact Tag Holders - used by retailers to hold fact tags or signs that are attached to a specific item or along a shelf with a description of that item.

Stretch Wrap Basic FAQs

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:35:00 GMT

What size do I need?
First, you need to answer whether are you applying the stretch wrap by hand or with automated equipment. If you are stretching the film by machine, you will generally use a film over 20" high and 5000 or 6000 feet long. These rolls are heavy -- about 32 lbs. Since that's a little too much to carry around a pallet, most people use 18" x .80 x 1500' rolls to stretch their pallets by hand. If your skids are not very high or if you just need to wrap the top and bottom of the loads, you could use 15" or 12".

Maybe you have seen stretch wrap used to bundle things like millwork, plastic pipe and small boxes. This is called bundling stretch wrap. It's used like tape, but it won't stick to the product or leave residue. This wrap comes in 2-6" sizes.

Can I use stretch wrap for covering my food? NO!!! Stretch wrap is not made for food contact and this industrial product should be kept away from children. Like any plastic, it can be dangerous.

Is stretch wrap recyclable? Yes, stretch wrap can be recycled through many local and state recycling centers.

Recycling Logos for Plastic Bags

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:09:00 GMT

RECYCLING LOGOS

20 years ago an American group came up with a numbering system to make it easy to recycle. If you mix them up recycling becomes tricky. The most useful ones for poly are:

Low density polyethylene
- used in packaging bags, grip seal, carrier bags, bin liners and heavy duty sacks.

High density polyethylene
- some carrier bags and bin liners.

Polypropylene
- used for display bags including flower bags and greetings cards.

Many colors available for poly film and bags

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:41:00 GMT

FILM OR BAG COLORS

If you need a colored bag or film whether to see through (tint) or hide what’s inside (opaque), for either special use or to match your corporate colors, we can supply a range of different colors to suit your needs. We have a range of different colors including white, black, red, ivory. In addition we have 5 shades of blue, 5 shades of green, 3 shades of yellow and violet. If you need something we don't have in stock then ask and we will do our best to get as close to the color you need.

POLYPROPYLENE and CELLOPHANE Bags are not the same

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 10:10:00 GMT

Polypropylene bags are sometimes referred to as cello or cellophane bags despite their major differences. However, polypropylene and cellophane bags are NOT the same.

Polypropylene Bags

Less expensive than cellophane
Stiffer and stronger than other wraps
Resistant of tearing and oils
No natural dead-fold
FDA approved
High temperature resistance
Eco-friendly and biodegradable

Cellophane Bags

More expensive than polypropylene
Natural dead-fold
FDA approved
High gloss transparency
High permeability to moisture
Increased shelf-life of products
Eco-friendly and biodegradable
Popular choice for chocolate and candy makers
Superior packaging for fresh produce, doughnuts, and microwavable products

COMMON USES FOR POLYPRO BAGS

Floral/basket wrap
Magazine overwrapping
Media packaging (CD, DVD)
Greeting card bags
Flower sleeves
Candy sweet bags
Display bags(cookies, portraits, t-shirts, artwork, dress, shirts, calendar)
Clear wrapping film

CALL ATLANTIC POLY FOR ALL YOUR CELLO AND POLYPRO NEEDS

Advantages of CAST Stretch Film

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:48:00 GMT

Why is some stretch film called CAST and some BLOWN? Is this plastic or gum?

Originally, all stretch wrap was blown, a process much like blowing bubble gum. Resin is heated and passed over an opening through which air is blown. Most state-of-the-art film today is cast. It is extruded through rollers and "laid out" in sheets. This process allows the film to be made in multiple layers. The layers allow the film to be made with cling on only one side. This optional one-sided-cling film is great where you don't want one pallet to stick to the one next to it. Also, these films layers can make the film stronger by adding tough layers to the inside. Cast film is also clearer and quieter coming off the roll.

Do I need Shrink Wrap or Stretch Wrap and what is the difference

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 11:43:00 GMT

Do I need Shrink Wrap or Stretch Wrap and what's the difference?

Most people who order stretch wrap from us call it shrink wrap .. but the products are very different. Shrink wrap film is made from polyolefin plastic, while stretch wrap is made from polyethylene plastic. Shrink wrap is generally used to protect a single product, such as the plastic over toys at the toy store or CD's when you first buy them. Shrink wrap gets its tight seal through a heating process. The product is wrapped and heated with a hairdryer-like tool or put through a heat tunnel. Shrink wrap can also be used for bundling products together, such as bottles of soda. We supply both stretch wrap and shrink wrap.

Stretch wrap is generally used to hold boxes on a pallet for transport. Stretch wrap is pulled around the load and stretched. The plastic has a memory and wants to return to its original size. This "elastic band effect" holds the load tight.

Plastic Covers and Liners for many uses

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:07:00 GMT

Plastic (Poly) Covers and Liners

Available in standard sizes from 3’ to 40’ wide, 0.002"-0.006" gauge, and 20'-100' lengths. Extra large sizes are available upon request. All panels are accordion folded every 4 to 5 feet and tightly rolled on a heavy-duty core for ease of handing and time-saving installation. Layflat roll configurations are also available. Applications include: Vapor Retarders, Silage Covers, Agricultural Covers, Wood Product Covers, Temporary Walls, Cargo Covers, Insulation Membranes, Fumigation Covers and more.

Plastic Bag Facts Recycling and Reuse

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:56:00 GMT

Recycling Fact: Recycling plastic bags and wraps is important because this valuable material can be made into dozens of useful new products such as low-maintenance fencing and decking, building and construction products, shopping carts, and of course, new bags!

Make sure bags are clean and empty. Do not include used plastic food wrap, bags with food residue, or material that has been painted or glued, as other substances can contaminate the recycled material.

Reuse Fact: More than 90 percent of consumers reuse their plastic grocery bags at home for purposes ranging from waste basket liners to lunch bags to pet clean up.

Atlantic Poly uses recycled material and offers recycling.

Custom Printed Plastic (Poly) Bags

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:32:00 GMT

Are you looking for a unique custom printed plastic bag for your product? Then you've come to the right place in Atlantic Poly! We can customize a poly bag to fit your exact needs and requirements. We can print your logo, instructions, bar-code, etc. in up to 6 colors. Just choose your size, bag style and send us your art. Start the procss now by choosing the bag style you are interested in and filling out our request for quote form. We specialize in extrusion, printing, and converting of wholesale custom plastic bags. Printing on plastic bags is done through a process called flexography. Custom Polyethylene bags can be made in all types of sizes and styles. Let us know your requirements.

Trash Can Liner Types

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:06:00 GMT

Resin - Resin is the basic raw material used in manufacturing trash can liners. The two basic types of resins utilized in trash can liner manufacturing are High Density and Linear Low Density.

Linear Low Density Trash Can Liners

Linear Low Density can liners are made from high quality resins that are highly resistant to puncturing and tearing. The exceptional strength and stretch properties of Linear Low Density trash can liners make them a great option for kitchen trash that may include glass or sharp, irregularly shaped objects. Various resins that comprise Linear Low Density polyethylene include butane, hexene and metallocene.

For the environmentally conscious, we also carry a line of Biodegradable Low Density Trash Can Liners, which are manufactured with at least 60% recycled post industrial scrap plus a degradable additive.

High Density Trash Can Liners

High Density can liners are made from high molecular density resins. High Density trash can liners are great for the office, restroom, or any type of trash that does not include sharp edges. High Density trash can liners are also less expensive per unit than low density trash can liners.

Some important definitions are as follows:

Gauge - Gauge is a term used in the trash can liner industry to describe the thickness of a liner. Gauge is typically stated either in mils or microns.

Mil - A mil is a measurement based on a thousandth of an inch (.001). Linear Low Density trash can liners will range from .30 to 2.0 mils. Improved resin technologies have allowed manufacturers to produce thinner trash can liners that are much stronger than the trash can liners of the past.

Micron - A micron is a measurement based on one hundred thousandths of an inch (.00001). High Density trash can liners range from 6 to 24 microns.

Anti Static Bags - ESD - Metallic Shielding

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:07:00 GMT

Atlantic Poly has an large supply of anti static ESD bags in stock and ready to ship for electronics packaging (pc board, component and module level) and cleanroom environments (hi-rel and military). We have a wide variety of ESD packaging products such as static shielding bags, conductive tubing, cushioned (bubble) bags for transport of delicate electronics, and anti-static bags. Most of our ESD bags are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Choices of our static shielding and anti-static bags include open top, metal-in shielding and ziplock. Depending on your application we are sure ot have an anti-static bag ot meet your needs.

Anti-static bags reduce the threat of damage to electronic components by incedental static or electrical discharge. One of the main advantages of packaging in a plastic bag is that they are easily sealable using a heat sealer or come in ziplock form.

Benefits of Plastic Trash Can Liners

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:31:00 GMT

The main benefits of trash can liners are twofold. Plastic liners are more flexible and durable than other materials, that provide a better moisture and chemical barrier, and offer higher resistance to tear propagation. Trash can liners are typically made from linear low density polyethylene for superior tensile strength and tear resistance. Lightweight, but strong and durable, poly trash can liners make it possible to move and store more waste than ever before. And because of their advanced resistance to tearing and leaking, these liners make it possible to handle waste and other hazardous material without any threat to the surrounding environment.

Tough Roll-Off Liners Make Waste Disposal Easy!

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:41:00 GMT

Container Bag Liners Provide Many Different Advantages

Quick, easy installation from either inside or outside the container
Fast and clean dumping
More security when transporting
Improves leak protection
Cleaner containers
Aids in dust and odor control
Increases container longevity

Options include:

Bag liners available folded or on a roll
Multiple packaging capabilities
Sides ranging from 66" to 144" in height
Thickness tanges from 3 mil to 10 mil
Quantity and/or corporate discounts are available

Tough Roll-Off Liners That Make Waste Disposal Easy!

Disposable Polyethylene Liners for Roll-Off's, Dump Trailers and Railroad Gondola Cars - Our heavy-duty bag liners are made from a combination of virgin and recycled polyethylene. Our unique patented form fit design virtually eliminates tearing and puts three thicknesses of plastic at the bottom of the container's tailgate for added leak protection. These liners are ideal for transporting bulk solids and sludges, and provide more protection than using film or film envelopes. A wide selection of bag liners is stocked for immediate shipment or custom liners can be manufactured to your specifications. Liner prices vary according to the length of the container, height of the liner, mil thickness of the liner, and material used.

Poly Bags are practical for many uses in many different industries

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:06:00 GMT

Are you looking for a certain types of bags which are practical for almost all types of items? Do you prefer to have bags that you can reuse and recycle from time to time? You should consider the polyethylene bags, commonly known as poly bags or plastic bags . Many industries use these bags due to wide variety of types available, ease of use and efficiency. They are frequently used in industries related to fabrics, apparels, electronics, foods, and the like to protect items from dust, dirt, and moisture.

Poly bags come in many different types in order to manage the variety of functions they are needed for. Among the more common and popular types are the flat, gusseted, and re-closable poly bags.

The most popular type among all the poly bags is the flat poly bag. They are used in industries like agriculture and landscaping, hospitals, banks, and electronics. Primary use examples are in the areas of electronics manufacturing and computer software shipping. Other industries includes mail order businesses and the like. Once the items are placed inside the flat poly bags, the bags are sealed through heating or through taping. There are also some instances when the bags are twist-tied to be closed.

PRINTING ON PLASTIC BAGS

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:59:00 GMT

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. These plates are compatible with most printing presses.We also have several graphic designers available to help with the design of your bag.

Plastic Pricing Keeps Going Up!

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:16:00 GMT

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.

Comparison of Oxo-Biodegradable and Hydro-Biodegradable Plastics

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:47:00 GMT

See table summary below

Comparison of Oxo-Biodegradable and Hydro-Biodegradable Plastics

OXO	HYDRO
Usually made from a by-product of oil-refining	Usually made from starch
Can be recycled as part of a normal plastic waste-stream	Damages recyclate unless extracted from feedstock
Can be made from recyclate	Cannot be made from recyclate
Emits CO2 slowly while degrading	Emits CO2 rapidly while degrading
Inert deep in landfill	Emits methane deep in landfill
Can use same machinery and workforce as for conventional plastic	Needs special machinery and worforce
Suitable for use in high-speed machinery	Not suitable
Compostable in-vessel	Compostable
Little or no on-cost	Four or five times more expensive than conventional plastic
Same strength as conventional plastic	Weaker than conventional plastic
Same weight as conventional plastic	Thicker and Heavier
Leak-proof	Prone to leakage
Degrades anywhere on land or sea	Degrades only in high-microbial environment
Time to degrade can be set at manufacture	Cannot be controlled
No genetically modified ingredients	Possibility of GM ingredients
Safe for food contact	Safe for food contact
No PCB's Organo-chlorines, or "heavy metals"	No PCB's Organo-chlorines, or "heavy metals"
Can be incinerated with high energy-recovery	Can be incinerated, but lower calorific value
Production uses no fertilisers, pesticides or water	Production uses fertilisers, pesticides and water
No limit on availability of feedstock	Limited availability of feedstock
Demand for oxo-biodegradable plastics does not drive up cost of fuel for vehicles	Demand for hydro-biodegradable plastics drives up price of human and animal foodstuffs

Recylced Bags - What are they really?

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:18:00 GMT

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 usable form) Also, recycled bags tend to be cloudier and must be mfg. from at least .0015 thickness to maintain strength.

Customers have also inquired about printing the Recycling Logo on the bags. This can be done, and we do it for many of our customers but it does become a “custom” run and adds to the expense of the bag.

Post Industrial Scrap---Material collected primarily from Industrial and Manufacturing facilities. This material tends to be cleaner and of more consistent grade.
Post Consumer Scrap---Material collected primarily from the retail/consumer market. This material tends to be less clean and normally has to be put through a “washing” cycle which can lead to a more expensive end product.

BIOGEGRADABLE PLASTICS are not all equal or good for the environment

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:28:00 GMT

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 methane. Both types are compostable, but only oxo-biodegradable can be economically recycled. Hydro-biodegradable is much more expensive than oxo-biodegradable.

OXO-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC - This new technology produces plastic which degrades by a process of OXO-degradation. The technology is based on a very small amount of pro-degradant additive being introduced into the manufacturing process, thereby changing the behaviour of the plastic. Degradation begins when the programmed service life is over (as controlled by the additive formulation) and the product is no longer required.

There is an additional cost involved in products made with this technology, which can be made with the same machinery and workforce as conventional plastic products.

The plastic does not just fragment, but will be consumed by bacteria and fungi after the additive has reduced the molecular structure to a level which permits living micro-organisms access to the carbon and hydrogen. It is therefore “biodegradable.” This process continues until the material has biodegraded to nothing more than CO2, water, and humus, and it does not leave fragments of petro-polymers in the soil. Oxo-biodegradable plastic passes all the usual ecotoxicity tests, including seed germination, plant growth and organism survival (daphnia, earthworms) tests carried out in accordance with ON S 2200 and ON S 2300 national standards.

The length of time it takes for oxo-biodegradable products to degrade can be ‘programmed’ at the time of manufacture and can be as little as a few months or as much as a few years. They are protected from degradation by special antioxidants until ready for use, and storage-life will be extended if the products are kept in cool, dark conditions.

Unlike PVC, the polymers from which oxo-biodegradable plastics are made do not contain organo-chlorine. Nor do oxo-biodegradable polymers contain PCBs, nor do they emit methane or nitrous oxide even under anaerobic conditions.

HYDRO-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS - Hydro-biodegradation is initiated by hydrolysis. Some plastics in this category have a high starch content and it is sometimes said that this justifies the claim that they are made from renewable resources. However, many of them contain up to 50% of synthetic plastic derived from oil, and others (e.g. some aliphatic polyesters) are entirely based on oil-derived intermediates. Genetically-modified crops may also have been used in the manufacture of hydro-biodegradable plastics.

Hydro-biodegradable plastics are not genuinely “renewable” because the process of making them from crops is itself a significant user of fossil-fuel energy and a producer therefore of greenhouse gases. Fossil fuels are burned in the autoclaves used to ferment and polymerise material synthesized from biochemically produced intermediates (e.g. polylactic acid from carbohydrates etc); and by the agricultural machinery and road vehicles employed; also by the manufacture and transport of fertilizers and pesticides. They are sometimes described as made from “non-food” crops, but are in fact usually made from food crops.

A disproportionate amount of land would be required to produce sufficient raw material to replace conventional plastic products, and a huge amount of water, which is in such short supply in so many parts of the world.

Residues from some native starches can be seriously toxic; bitter cassava for example (tapioca) has a high level of hydro-cyanic glucoside present, which has to be removed by careful washing. During growth the plant is toxic to wildlife. Cassava is exhaustive of potash .

Three recent articles in the international press have drawn attention to the danger of using “renewable” resources derived from plants as a substitute for petroleum products. They focus on the use of corn and palm oil to make “biofuels” for motor vehicles, but the same danger arises from the use of corn and other agricultural products to make hydro-biodegradable plastics.

The International Herald Tribune wrote on 31st January 2007 “Just a few years ago politicians and green groups in the Netherlands were thrilled by the country’s adoption of “sustainable energy” by coaxing electricity plants to use biofuel. Spurred by government subsidies, energy companies designed generators that ran exclusively on this fuel, which in theory would be cleaner than fossil fuels because it is derived from plants.

Plastics made from crops, are up to 400% more expensive, they are not strong enough for use in high-speed machinery, and they emit methane (a powerful greenhouse gas) in landfill. Also, it is wrong to use land, water and fertilizers to grow crops for bioplastics and biofuels, which drives up the cost of food for the poorest people

Business Week 5 Feb 2007 edition “The rise in the price of corn that's hurting US pig farmers isn't caused by any big dip in the overall supply. In the U.S., last year's harvest was 10.5 billion bushels, the third-largest crop ever. But instead of going into the mouths of pigs or cattle or people, an increasing slice is being transformed into fuel for cars. The roughly 5 billion gallons of ethanol made in 2006 by 112 U.S. plants consumed nearly one-fifth of the corn crop.” US chicken producers are also being hit. The industry's feed costs are already up $1.5 billion per year. Ultimately, these increases will be passed on to consumers, and there could be dramatic inflation in food costs.
Oxo-bio plastics degrade in the upper layers of a landfill, but they are completely inert deeper in the landfill in the absence of oxygen. They do not emit methane at any stage.

Paper bags use 300% more energy to produce, they are bulky and heavy and are not strong enough, especially when wet. They will also emit methane in landfill.

ATLANTIC POLY’S COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:57:00 GMT

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 resource to help you with your environmental challenges.

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

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:49:00 GMT

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 would-be waste into usable American made products such as our Recycled Envirobags™ and roll-off liners. We offer a pick-up service anywhere in the country provided the material is “baled”. (We need a min. of 10,000 lbs or more for this “pick-up” service) Please call us if we can help in your recycling efforts. Materials We recycle:

Stretch Film
Pallet Wrap
Poly Bags
Poly Films
LDPE and HDPE

RECYCLED POLY BAGS - Good or Bad?

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:39:00 GMT

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)

SOURCE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:12:00 GMT

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

Source reduction conserves raw material and energy resources. Manufacturing thinner gauge films and bags requires less energy to manufacture and transport. (LDPE and LLDPE resins have become more sophisticated and can be run at a thinner gauges with equivalent strength to thicker material. )
Source reduction reduces releases to air, land and water. For example, it takes less fuel to transport lighter weight materials.
Source reduction cuts back on what has to be thrown away. That helps keep solid waste disposal costs down, which is good for municipal budgets and consumers.

Domestic vs Imports

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:36:00 GMT

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 go.

A 3-4 week domestic lead time, is certainly easier to deal with than a 12-14 week import lead time.

Maybe it is time once again to think about supporting American production!!

TRUE LINERS

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:23:00 GMT

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.

Plastic Poly Bags are Reusable

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:41:00 GMT

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.

Uses for Polyethylene Bags are endless

sales@atlanticpoly.com — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:13:00 GMT

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.