When we go to the grocery store, we are faced with many choices, not the least of which is which type of bag to choose. Should we choose paper or should we choose plastic? Lately plastic bags are the subject of much scrutiny, and many environmental groups have worked tirelessly to ban these bags from our stores. Some cities and even countries have passed laws against these bags. Before you decide which way to lean, it is good to understand some background information about these bags.
These bags, which are strong but lightweight, are formed from a type of plastic called HDPE or high-density polyethylene. One of the sources of this plastic is natural gas and another is petroleum, and many people worry about using a non-renewable resource to create these bags. It is important to note though, that plastic bags are made from a waste product that is produced when petroleum and natural gas are refined for use as a source of energy.
Of course, energy is used to create the bags and many environmentalists will tell you that it takes as many as 12 million gallons to produce all of these grocery bags. The plastics industry also will give you that same number. What you might not know is that this amount of oil is less than a half of a percent of our nation's total yearly usage of oil. So while a total of 12 million gallons is used in one year, Americans use 18 million barrels of oil each and every day.
This type of plastic is not just used to produce these lightweight bags but also a variety of other substances. Some products created out of HDPE include insulation for coax cable, bottle caps, fireworks, parts of snowboards, food containers and banners. Milk jugs are one of the most common items produced using HDPE. This type of plastic also can be recycled very easily, and it just requires that the consumer ensures that the bags and other items make it into a recycling bin.
Another interesting fact about HDPE plastic is that it is a type of plastic known as thermoformed plastic. Thermoforming a process by which a large sheet of plastic is heated up to a point where it will melt and then it is molded to create a specific product.
When it comes to thermoform plastic, there are quite a few different kinds, created out of different polymers. A few actually do biodegrade and while most do not, they all can be recycled and melted down for use over and over. Some types of thermoform plastic that you probably know by name include acrylic and nylon as well as brand names such as Teflon, Styrofoam and Mylar.
These bags, which are strong but lightweight, are formed from a type of plastic called HDPE or high-density polyethylene. One of the sources of this plastic is natural gas and another is petroleum, and many people worry about using a non-renewable resource to create these bags. It is important to note though, that plastic bags are made from a waste product that is produced when petroleum and natural gas are refined for use as a source of energy.
Of course, energy is used to create the bags and many environmentalists will tell you that it takes as many as 12 million gallons to produce all of these grocery bags. The plastics industry also will give you that same number. What you might not know is that this amount of oil is less than a half of a percent of our nation's total yearly usage of oil. So while a total of 12 million gallons is used in one year, Americans use 18 million barrels of oil each and every day.
This type of plastic is not just used to produce these lightweight bags but also a variety of other substances. Some products created out of HDPE include insulation for coax cable, bottle caps, fireworks, parts of snowboards, food containers and banners. Milk jugs are one of the most common items produced using HDPE. This type of plastic also can be recycled very easily, and it just requires that the consumer ensures that the bags and other items make it into a recycling bin.
Another interesting fact about HDPE plastic is that it is a type of plastic known as thermoformed plastic. Thermoforming a process by which a large sheet of plastic is heated up to a point where it will melt and then it is molded to create a specific product.
When it comes to thermoform plastic, there are quite a few different kinds, created out of different polymers. A few actually do biodegrade and while most do not, they all can be recycled and melted down for use over and over. Some types of thermoform plastic that you probably know by name include acrylic and nylon as well as brand names such as Teflon, Styrofoam and Mylar.
About the Author:
Lenna Stockwell enjoys writing about how stuff is made. For further details about custom packaging solutions or to find out more about product packaging design, please visit the Indepak website now.
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