The Positive Impact Of Plastics In Packaging

Most of us take our plastic food packaging for granted, not realising just how beneficial it actually is. In addition to being convenient and inexpensive, it helps reduce the amount of waste that is produced in Australia each year. There are many intriguing statistics associated with packaging suppliers, and some of the most interesting facts revolve around plastics. If you'd hungry to learn more about how plastics help the planet, read on.

Plastics Recycling: It's A Good Thing

Plastics are frequently recycled in Australia, which is why using them in packaging makes so much sense. In fact, the rate of plastics recycling in Australia rose from 7.0% to 12.4% from 1997 to 2003. The overall plastic packaging recycling rate in the country hovers right around twenty percent. This is a very sizable chunk, since every piece of plastic that gets recycled stays out of the landfill - and doesn't pollute the planet.

The Lightweight Nature Of Plastic And How It Helps The Planet

Since plastics are so lightweight, they are wonderful to use in packaging. In fact, if plastics were to suddenly disappear, the overall weight of packaging would increase by an astronomical 400%. Wastage would increase by a whopping 150% if plastics weren't used, and production costs - along with energy costs - would skyrocket. All around, it is plain to see that plastics help reduce the amount of waste in terms of volume. Compared with twenty years ago, today's packaging is up to 80% lighter - and the use of plastic can be credited with that.

Examples Of The Benefits Of Plastic Packaging

There are many compelling examples of the benefits of using plastic packaging. For instance, stretch film - which is used in pallet security during shipping - is made with up to 40% less material than it once was. When plastic refill packs were first introduced for laundry detergents, a 70% reduction in the amount of materials used occurred. Plastics are more efficient and effective, along with a lot lighter, than many other materials - and those characteristics are great news for our planet.

The Advantages Of Using Recycled Plastic

Manufacturing plastic from recycled materials is great for a number of reasons. Only 30% of the energy that is needed to make plastic from fossil fuels is needed to make it out of recycled materials. That enhances sustainability and green living and promotes a healthier planet. Also, the recycling of PET bottles saves about 84% of the energy that is needed to make them out of raw materials. It's clear that plastic presents many very attractive opportunities in terms of energy savings and recycling - and it's obvious why the packaging industry and consumers have embraced it so much.