However, analyzing a research conducted by the University of Oxford, the facts come out reversed. The study investigates the composition of the most used objects and you will be surprised to see how plastic only accounts for 1% compared to the total. It therefore appears evident that eliminating it does not eliminate the problem, on the contrary, it exacerbates it.

Pollution: the real factors of responsibility

Today, technology has made enormous strides forward, allowing the creation of excellent and biodegradable plastics, produced with very resistant and sophisticated granules.. Through their use and correct disposal, infinite recycling of the material has become possible with a truly minimal loss of quality in the product.

As already underlined in thearticle about the situation of beaches and seas We have explained several times how the main cause of pollution is man, not raw materials.  Each of us is required to decide according to our own responsibility where to throw waste, choosing whether the appropriate container for collection or the street is right. And after having used any packaged good that has become garbage, it is our own hands that make us participants in ecological protection. In Teamplast we always support education for people and, before unfairly demonizing any consumer good, we support its correct use and disposal.

Supermarket Bags, Plastic or Paper? The Decision Is Yours

Let's start with the facts: neither of the two materials is completely eco-sustainable.. And if it is true that to produce plastic a precious commodity like oil is used, it is equally correct that to produce paper we deforest forests that are necessary for the regeneration of oxygen for the planet. As regards the recovery of plastic, research is proceeding towards the regeneration of polymers that can be used in the food sector, starting from the recovery of material for domestic use that is cleaned, regranulated and brought to the form of raw material. Furthermore, as indicated by the studies, we must underline that the recycling process presents clear differences: for plastic the processes are mechanical and very low-polluting; much worse are the chemical agents needed for the recovery and bleaching of paper.

It becomes necessary to evaluate the complete impact of a material taking into account the entire production and disposal process that derives from it.. Producing a paper bag involves three times more CO2 emissions than the same item made of plastic. Returning to supermarket bags, we can specify that for the production of a 60 g paper bag, approximately 0.60 kg of CO2 are emitted compared to 0.19 kg for the same product in plastic.

Weight is also important and has an impact on the surrounding environment, because the heavier (or bulkier) an object is, the more energy and costs will be needed to sustain its production, transportation and final disposal. The plastic bags we find at supermarket checkouts weigh about 6 grams, compared to 60 grams for paper bags.

Furthermore, a paper bag from the supermarket is more fragile than a plastic one. If it contains heavy or sharp objects, it is easy for it to break with all the consequences that this entails. The tendency is therefore to fill them less and use more than what is actually needed. Plastic bags, on the contrary, are more resistant and even if they break slightly, they are unlikely to tear completely. And even better, they are reusable and potentially recyclable infinite times.

Conclusions: waste disposal is a fundamental part

As we have seen, it is easy to have a distorted opinion when you do not know the facts in detail. Paper, glass, metal, wood and ceramics have excellent properties and are ideal materials for the production of certain items: as is plastic!

Especially in the food and medical-pharmaceutical sectors, it is essential to use a reliable, clean, safe and resistant material that guarantees the protection of the contents of the 100% and its total isolation from other possible contamination.

Plastic bags, to date, are the safest and most ecological alternative for containing food and, only if they are disposed of in the appropriate containers, allow for their correct recycling and subsequent re-introduction into the market..

Until we learn to differentiate correctly we will not solve the problem of pollution. And in Teamplast we are and will always be at the forefront for a correct culture of plastic and its use.

Reels, bags and sacks in polyethylene (also regenerated) are just some of the items that Teamplast produces for the industry.       

Bags and shopping bags for packaging items

Polyethylene bags (LDPE – HDPE – MDPE) are generally used for small to medium sized products and They are among the most used packaging items. They are made with pressure closures or adhesive flaps. Upon request, they can be supplied with an open mouth (the classic bag open on one side) to be sealed by the customer himself after packaging and each of these solutions prevents the goods contained inside from leaking out. They are available in colored or transparent, with the possibility of printing, for example, the company logo or other information useful to the consumer.

The cast polypropylene bags (PP cast) instead are created with a harder and more resistant material than LDPE. With slightly different characteristics, They have greater transparency and a greater barrier capacity against steam and air.

The neutral printed shoppers are created for the industrial sector. They are widely used at trade fairs and conferences also because they allow you to stand out from the competition and, furthermore, become a useful merchandising tool to establish yourself in your market niche.  

Polyethylene coils: LDPE, virgin or regenerated

The PE coils They can be made at low, medium and high density (LDPE – HDPE – MDPE) depending on the customer’s needs. Polyethylene is a highly resistant material that maintains its characteristics over time. They are often used by companies in various sectors for automatic packaging of items or for the protection of platforms supporting the finished product.

For the same use but with a lower environmental impact, we produce polyethylene coils (PE) regenerated made with recycled material coming from industrial production waste (pre-consumer), equally reliable and resistant.

Both materials can be customized with prints up to 8 colors and are available in different thicknesses, lengths and diameters. The reels are also available neutral, printed with writable white bands (using inkjet printers) that allow the customer to add information during packaging, such as the batch number, expiration date or other useful instructions. They are available in leaf, single-fold, tubular, open tubular models with central cuts or with gussets.

A different product, usually used for the packaging of food or medical products, are the coextruded polypropylene coils (PP coex), available both printed and neutral. The transparency that highlights the packaged product is their main feature and they are available in various sizes, thicknesses and models (leaf-shaped, single-fold or with micro holes).

Another product made for the industry is the PE shrink reels. Made using special heat-sensitive granules, They are mainly used for packaging jars made of glass, plastic or fragile material in general intended for specific uses, which require the least possible handling..

Polyethylene sheets, caps and bags for the protection of containers

THE polyethylene sheets, also available in regenerated material, They are particularly suitable for covering platforms or other surfaces, such as crates, boxes or machinery.

A different article is the PE hood, sealed by a flat weld on the bottom and equipped with side gussets that give greater depth to the bag. It is widely used during transport and in factories to cover pallets of finished products and protect them from possible contamination or atmospheric agents.

For some years we have also been producing body covers. Designed to allow optimal attachment to the upper part of the box, they effectively become a soft and flexible lid, to protect the contents during movements between the various processing departments, avoiding contamination.

Finally the extremely versatile polyethylene (LDPE) bags, perfect for avoiding contact between products and the final packaging. Or to protect items during transport, avoiding scratches on the surfaces of the products. Or to cover tubs and boxes, even internally, as protective sheaths, or in crates and boxes used during processing. Made of low density PE (LDPE), medium density (MDPE) and high density (HDPE), they are available in various formats, thicknesses and colours and are equipped with side gussets, with flat welding on the bottom.

Teamplast creates tailor-made products together with the customer, to guarantee an item made ad hoc, which fully meets the necessary needs.. Our company has produced over 2,000 different items and we are equipping our production departments with latest-generation machinery, with a view to constant growth in terms of quality and sales.

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Do not hesitate to ask us for a free consultation by sending an email to info@teamplast-srl.it