Atlantic Poly Blog
Plastic Bag Facts Recycling and Reuse
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.
Custom Printed Plastic (Poly) Bags
Trash Can Liner Types
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
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
Tough Roll-Off Liners Make Waste Disposal Easy!
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
- 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
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
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
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!
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
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |