Post consumer regrind (PCR) is Plastic (mainly HDPE, LDPE and PET) that has been cleaned and reground into pellet or flake form to make a new plastic object (packaging is a big one). So in short post consumer regrind or PCR is recycled plastic.
PLA is short for Poly lactic acid and is one of many bioplastics. This one in specific is made from corn starch. Not sure but I think Natureworks is the main supplier.
The difference? PCR is more stable and has many more uses because the material is just recycled plastic. PLA, because it is made from natural substances, breaks down, melts and losses its rigidity a lot faster and is typically better for one time use. PLA is best used for products that will not have to endure a long shelf life or hold volatile products.
There are many advancements being made to bioplastics/biopolymers that will improve its rigidity, strength and shelf-life. It's hard to keep up! PLA is only one of many biopolymers. They can be made from starches such as potato, pea and corn as well as sugar. But I'm sure there are many more in development!
And now for my shameless plug: Packaging Logistics offers a wide range of beautiful packaging in 100% PCR PET! The material is FDA approved and minimums start at 50,000 pieces. Consider converting your current PET packaging to PCR PET! You'll be doing the environment a favor!
Showing posts with label PET packaging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PET packaging. Show all posts
Monday, April 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Green Debate-Glass or Plastic?
There's a debate going on in the packaging world regarding whether glass or plastic is the better "Green" option. Not just plastic but PET. PET is wholeheartedly competing for glass business touting, "Anything you can do, I can do better"!
For a long time glass has been considered to be the better enviro-choice for your packaging options. Glass is made from sand and can be recycled infinitely without affecting the quality of the product. It's been in the recycling stream for ages and can be recycled and made into another bottle again. Same as it was before. What people don't realize is that there are few glass manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and therefore it will likely not be made into a bottle again. A good reason for this is even if a glass facility would like to purchase said recycled glass material, it is very heavy and uses much fuel to transport, oftentimes, defeating the purpose of sustainability.
PET on the other hand is very lightweight and therefore uses much less fuel to transport. PET is just as common in the recycling stream and as of recently can also be purified to be suitable for food contact once again. PET is offered in as many if not in more colors than glass and is more cost effective. While glass is not a suitable choice for many bathroom packages as it can shatter and pose a risk for injury, PET is nearly shatterproof and therefore is the safer option for the consumer and reduces loss for the manufacturer. Though improvements are being made, PET will still break down and lose quality as it repeats its round in the recycling stream and must be downcycled. For instance, what was once a milk bottle is now a plastic park bench. There are also barrier issues when it comes to plastic. Some products can permeate or break down the plastic and PET will melt at high temperatures, making it useless for many sauces and juices that are hot-filled. There are some Hot-Fill PET offerings, but options are limited and minimums are high.
Many foods simply taste better from glass.
So what have we learned today? Clearly, there's no definite answer here and it seems to be entirely situational. What is good in glass is not always good in plastic so perhaps they'll both always have their moment to shine.
For a long time glass has been considered to be the better enviro-choice for your packaging options. Glass is made from sand and can be recycled infinitely without affecting the quality of the product. It's been in the recycling stream for ages and can be recycled and made into another bottle again. Same as it was before. What people don't realize is that there are few glass manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and therefore it will likely not be made into a bottle again. A good reason for this is even if a glass facility would like to purchase said recycled glass material, it is very heavy and uses much fuel to transport, oftentimes, defeating the purpose of sustainability.
PET on the other hand is very lightweight and therefore uses much less fuel to transport. PET is just as common in the recycling stream and as of recently can also be purified to be suitable for food contact once again. PET is offered in as many if not in more colors than glass and is more cost effective. While glass is not a suitable choice for many bathroom packages as it can shatter and pose a risk for injury, PET is nearly shatterproof and therefore is the safer option for the consumer and reduces loss for the manufacturer. Though improvements are being made, PET will still break down and lose quality as it repeats its round in the recycling stream and must be downcycled. For instance, what was once a milk bottle is now a plastic park bench. There are also barrier issues when it comes to plastic. Some products can permeate or break down the plastic and PET will melt at high temperatures, making it useless for many sauces and juices that are hot-filled. There are some Hot-Fill PET offerings, but options are limited and minimums are high.
Many foods simply taste better from glass.
So what have we learned today? Clearly, there's no definite answer here and it seems to be entirely situational. What is good in glass is not always good in plastic so perhaps they'll both always have their moment to shine.
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