Atlantic Poly Blog
Advantages of Plastic Grocery Bags for Retailers and Consumers
There are many advantages of plastic grocery bags. While there is a perception that they are environmentally unfriendly, this is not necessarily true, see last week’s blog. Plastic grocery bags have advantages for retailers and consumers!
Consumers
Many consumers are finding plastic bags are a better option than paper bags. The numbers tell the story, Americans use 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually, and 10 billion paper shopping bags each year.
While there is an increase in the use of reusable cloth bags, plastic shopping bags have two big advantages:
- Plastic bags are more durable than paper bags. They are less prone to tearing, easier to carry, and are far more useful in bad weather.
- Plastic bags are reusable, as trashcan liners, as storage bags, or for picking up after the dog. Plastic bags last longer than plastic bags and can be repurposed, unlike paper bags.
Retailers
Retailers have always preferred plastic shopping bags. For retailers, the main advantages of plastic bags are that they are cost-effective, easy to use, and easy to store.
Plastic bags are available in bulk for less than one cent. Paper bags are typically 5 cents or more per bag. Reusable cloth bags can cost a few dollars each. Obviously, plastic bags have a better effect on business profit margins.
Not to mention, plastic bags are faster and easier to open and pack. For busy clerks, this can help with efficiency. Plastic bags take up less space to store and weight far less, so they are easier for employees to stock.
For more information on plastic grocery bags, contact Atlantic Poly.
Greenliving
Understand Plastic Bags and Their Environmental Impact this Earth Day
It is easy to overlook the advantages of plastic grocery bags because it is perceived that they are environmentally unfriendly. While they certainly have ecological drawbacks, plastic grocery bags can actually be beneficial to the environment. Every April we celebrate Earth Day. For Earth Day this year, we would like consumers and business to understand the real environmental impacts of plastic bags vs paper bags.
The reasoning for banning plastic bags is that they cause harm to the environment. There are many factors that this broad statement can cover, so let’s discuss it part by part.
In terms of energy produced during manufacture, plastic bags require 182,361 kcal but recover “2,581.3 through combustion.”
However, paper bags require “three times as much energy consumption as plastic bags (626,672.9 kcal), whereas only 6,859.5 kcal can be recovered through consumption.”
Environmental Impact of Plastic Grocery Bags
There has been a lot of conversation and disagreement regarding paper and plastic bags, and which are more detrimental to the environment. The truth is, each has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
There are several important ecological advantages of plastic grocery bags over paper shopping bags. Because they weigh so much less, they contribute far less solid waste to landfills when not recycled. According to the EPA, paper bag production requires 40% more energy than the production of plastic bags. Paper bag manufacturing also results in 50% more water pollution and 70% more air pollution than plastic bag manufacturing.
Disadvantages
The main ecological disadvantage of plastic shopping bags is that they are manufactured from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Paper bags, on the other hand, are made from trees, a renewable resource. Plastic bags are also not biodegradable, and break down into contaminating particles over many hundreds of years.
Effect on Marine Life Myth
One of the more compelling arguments against the use of plastic shopping bags is that plastic bags result in the death of 100,000 marine animals and 1 million sea birds annually.
However, this argument is false. The myth originated from a 2002 study on plastic bags commissioned by the Australian government. In the report, the authors misquoted a previous Canadian study from 1987. The animal deaths cited were actually attributable to fishing lines and nets, not plastic bags.
Recycle
The best way to help the environment, regardless of what types of bags or other containers you use it to reuse your plastic bags as much as possible. Recycle the rest.
By recycling, consumers can avoid many of the drawbacks of plastic bags. There are numerous advantages of plastic grocery bags, and by recycling them diligently, consumers can profit from their use in a more environmentally sustainable manner.
For more information on plastic bags or on recyclable plastic bags, contact Atlantic Poly.
Statistics from greenliving.lovetoknow.com
Are You Being Told the Truth About Plastic Bags?
Custom Poly Bags – Atlantic Poly Is Your One-Stop Shop
You name the industry, you name the product. Atlantic Poly Inc. has a custom polyethylene bag solution for you at singularly the best value pricing available today! Our products range from light density poly bags for light duty shielding all the way up to the most dense poly required to protect your products and capital from the most abusive environments imaginable.
It goes without saying that the quality of your product’s packaging says volumes about the quality of your business. In addition to custom sized and types of poly bags, Atlantic Poly will promote your brand with custom printed packaging in any size, shape, and poly material. Just a small sampling of the various types of custom poly printing that we provide include:
Again, there is no single product that can’t be custom packaged by the skilled and experienced professionals at Atlantic Poly. Take the guess work out of your product protection needs by calling us today at 866-342-6554, or requesting a direct quote which will be answered in very short order.
Paper or Plastic Bags?
There is quite a conversation going on nationwide about paper vs plastic. It seems like quite a bit of the public is uninformed about the impact that paper bags have on the environment. From manufacturing to transporting to storing and disposal, paper makes a huge impact on the environment, more so than consumers believe.
Did you know that paper bags use 300% more energy to produce and cause more waste in manufacturing? They are also bulky and heavy to store and transport. Paper bags emit methane in a landfill as well.
Recyclers can be playing a bigger role in letting a skeptical public know about the environmental advantages of plastics and plastic bags. That was some of the message to a major meeting of plastics recyclers in New Orleans.
In response to a question about the plastics industry's image problem and how recycling — one of the fastest-growing plastics sectors — can help, it was decided that recyclers can help combat some of the misinformation and "junk science" that hound plastic bags and plastic packaging.
There's an issue with the public’s perception of plastic, it needs to change. The critical role that plastics recyclers can play to help set the record straight about plastics was also discussed.
The plastic industry is spending "in excess of $5 million" to defend against bag bans.
72 municipalities have bag bans, but there are no statewide bans. There are 19,000 U.S. municipalities that have not restricted plastic bag use.
No matter how many plastic bag bans go into effect, we are not going to ban our way to a cleaner ocean. What needs to happen is better education about plastic, its effect on the environment and recycling. A proper approach to plastics need to be approached regarding waste management and including recycling.
Shale gas is having on the U.S. economy, specifically the plastics industry. SPI is helping to sponsor a report that will come out later this year that will include detailed information about the impact of shale-gas on plastics.
Recycling plastic bags and plastic films 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!
Atlantic Poly’s Envirotech Recycling Division is ready and able to help reduce your business' carbon footprint and improve your company's bottom line. We manufacture AND recycle plastic product lines. If your company disposes stretch film, pallet wrap, and or plastic bags and films, we can remove this material from your company's waste stream and turn that would-be waste into usable American-made products.
For more information on our Envirotech Recycling Division or on plastic products, contact Atlantic Poly.
Waste and Recycling News
Roll Off Dumpster Liners for Hazardous Materials
Roll off dumpster liners are very large garbage bags. They vary in thickness, color, size, composition, uses, and packaging. Depending on your companies needs there are different dumpster liner requirements.
Concrete companies, asbestos abatement companies, and construction companies use roll off dumpster liners every day to contain hazardous waste. The law requires insulation and asbestos abatement companies to contain any materials that are hazardous to the public's health. Concrete companies need dumpster liners because of the environmental concern of run-off of wash out materials.
Dumpster liners are easy to use and keep your work site safe. They are quick to install and many states demand the use of dumpster liners. Dumpster Liners are made for larger railway trailers and truck trailers, but the most popular container sizes are 10, 15, 20 and 30 yard. Please contact Atlantic Poly or request a quote for any other size.
Shipping Materials and Packing List Envelopes for Every Business
With more and more people buying online, and more business moving to e-commerce, effective packaging is becoming more and more important. When your customers can easily find their invoices for their shipped products, their business can run smoother. You can accomplish this with packing slip envelopes.
Packaging can make an impression on your customers. If their merchandise is not professionally packaged, or if it is packaged poorly, they are dissatisfied. If they need to hunt through packing materials to locate their invoice they are also dissatisfied.
Shipping materials and packing list envelopes are necessary in every business that ships products and merchandise. Atlantic Poly is a supplier and national wholesale distributor of packaging products and shipping materials including: packing list envelopes, bubble wrap, corrugated boxes and tapes.
For more information on the products or for a quote, contact Atlantic Poly.
Custom Made Pallet Shrouds and Pallet Covers
Packaging in the form of polythene bags and shrouds comes in all shapes and sizes, many types of thickness, and can be welded at the bottom or side. Some bags and shrouds are printed in various colors. Pallet covers and pallet shrouds are also used.
Custom made plastic shrouds can be made in many different sizes to fit all types of objects and pallets. At Atlantic Poly there is no minimum order. Our shrouds and pallet covers can also be manufactured in low density, anti-static, mil spec material films.
Many manufacturers need to cover palletized products. But all manufacturers’ needs are different. So, there are different designs of low-density plastic material with which to do this. For different uses the shrouds are manufactured differently using colors, prints, shrink capabilities, resins, and recycled.
If your company uses pallet covers contact Atlantic Poly to get a quote today on custom made poly bags and shrouds.
Vinyl Name Badge Holders
As companies merge or increase security, name badges become more and more important. For everyday use, your company needs well made and durable security badges, name badges or ID holders. Vinyl pouches are made for name badge holders and ID badges. Atlantic Poly offers name badge holders that can be worn with pins, clips or on lanyards and they come in many differnct shapes, sizes and colors.
If your company needs name badge holders, security badge holders, or medical badge holders to keep your employee’s names and ID protected we can help.
ID badge holders are also available for events or trade shows which can be used to promote your brand. For customized vinyl pouches or ID badge holders contact Atlantic Poly.
Dumpster Liners for Home Renovators
Home renovations almost always involve dumpsters. Roll Off Dumpster Liners are massive garbage bags for the dumpster. Roll off Dumpster Liners are used daily by home renovators to contain materials which may be hazardous. In many states, dumpster liners are required by environmental laws.
Dumpster liners make job cleanup easy, and they are to use and install. Home remodeling companies produce all forms and amounts of solid or semi-solid refuse. Dumpster liners are a perfect fit for these companies.
The most popular container sizes are 20, 30 and 40 yard and range in thickness from 3 MIL thick to 12 MIL thick. Liners are also made for larger applications such as railway trailers and truck trailers.
Contact Atlantic Poly for a quote on traditional or larger sizes.