What Types of Plastics Are the Most Sustainable?
Industry and science have worked together for decades to develop sustainable plastics which help address the abundance of non-sustainable plastics which consume valuable resources, create pollution and burden our landfills and environment. Plastics can be made more sustainable in several ways, focusing on the key goals: recycle, reduce, reuse.
Recyclable, Reusable Plastics
One of the most straightforward ways to make plastic sustainable is to reuse it rather than consuming additional petroleum products to create new plastic material. Post-consumer, recycled plastic is frequently used in making a variety of injection-molded packaging such as milk jugs, butter tubs, and shampoo bottles. Recycled plastics are also used across many industries to produce everything from fleece hoodies and picture frames to carpets and composite decking.
Reducing Non-Renewable Materials
Some approaches to plastics manufacturing can limit the use of non-renewable materials in the process.
Bio-Filled Plastics
Straddling the divide between renewable and non-renewable raw materials are bio-filled plastics in which renewable, organic materials such as ground coconut shells, rice hulls, nut shells, and cotton fiber are used to substitute plastic material.
Bioplastics
Made from purely biological materials such as sugar, corn, and vegetable oil, bioplastics are an improvement on traditional petroleum-based plastics. Popular types such as PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), PLA (polylactic acid), and acetate can perform as well as many traditional plastics.
Biodegradable & Degradable Plastics
A final consideration on sustainability is which plastics will break down naturally through exposure to heat, UV light, moisture, bacteria, fungi, and other environmental factors. Interestingly enough, not all bioplastics are biodegradable, and some petroleum-based plastics have additives to make them biodegradable. Many biodegradable plastics can't merely be composted, but require additional processing to degrade.
At Megpack Limited, we are providing recyclable and biodegradable types of plastic resins. Pls feel free to contact us today for help in choosing a plastic material that meets your sustainability goals.