Custom-Made, Environmentally-Friendly Plastic Bags
The definitions of the following terms only include information related to the packaging industry; the terms may have other definitions as well.
ASTM 6400 – a compostability standard that defines a plastic as compostable if it undergoes a 60% biodegradation within 180 days under commercial composting conditions
Biodegradable – capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other biological means
Biodegradable Plastic (see Introduction to Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics)
Bioplastic (see Introduction to Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics)
Compostable – capable of being used as compost
Compostable Plastic (see Introduction to Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics)
Ethylene - a colorless, flammable gas usually obtained from petroleum and natural gas and used in the synthesis of polyethylene
Extrude – to form plastic with a desired cross section by forcing it through a die
Extruder - a machine that transforms resin into film and another name for a manufacturer of film
Film - a thin sheet of plastic that can be converted into plastic bags or tubing
mil - .001 inches (i.e. a thousandth of an inch); NOT a millimeter. For example, a Ziploc® sandwich bag is 1.5 mil and a freezer bag is 2.7 mil
Poly Bag - a plastic bag made of polyethylene
Polyethylene – a plastic polymer of ethylene used for packaging
Polymer – a large molecule composed of repeating structural units
Postal-Approved – formulated to comply with the USPS T-3204 protocol for use on automation rate flat-size mail pieces. Performance standards met include haze, blocking, coefficient of friction and static charge decay
Recyclable – able to be recycled
Recycle – to treat or process used or waste materials so as to make suitable for reuse
Recycled Polyethylene (see Introduction to Recycled Polyethylene)
Resin - small beads of raw plastic used to produce plastic film
Virgin Poly - polyethylene that has no additives and has not been recycled
Recycled Polyethylene is made by taking plastic that has been disposed and regrinding it into usable resin. It can then be blended with virgin polyethylene, extruded into film and converted into bags and tubing. Recycled Polyethylene is not as clear as virgin polyethylene.
There are two types of recycled polyethylene:
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that decompose under specific environmental conditions much faster than traditional plastics which have an indefinite lifespan. Biodegradation of plastics is achieved by enabling microorganisms to metabolize (i.e. break down) the molecular structure of the plastic which produces an humus-like material (organic matter that cannot break down any further) that is less harmful to the environment. There are a number of ways this is enabled.
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 Green Packaging Inc. has been chosen as the exclusive Northeastern U.S. distributor of Green Share™ Post Consumer Recycled Polyethylene Film and Bio-D Compostable Film. |
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Looking for an environmentally-friendly way to protect your metal parts from rusting while being stored or shipped? Please visit Green Packaging Inc.’s sister company, Green VCI.