Plastics in Packaging Scott H Boyle Brian D Amico

Plastics in Packaging Scott H. Boyle Brian D’Amico Janine Horn Mark Przybylski

What Will be Discussed l Definition of a plastic. l Overview of the packaging industry. l Why plastics are used in packaging. l A detailed look at the different types of plastics used in packaging. l How plastics compare to alternative materials. l Environmental Impacts

What is a Plastic? A plastic is defined as an organic material that has the ability to flow into a desired shape when heat and pressure applied and to retain that shape when they are withdrawn. l Composed primarily of a binder withl • • Plasticizers Fillers Pigments Other additives

Industry Overview l World sales of primary packaging materials estimated to be $434 billion in 2001. • Up 12. 5% from $385 billion in 1997. World sales of finished packaging materials is estimated to be $800 billion. l Four main categories of raw packaging materials: l • • l Paper and Board Glass Metal Plastic Over the past few years, plastic has become increasingly popular.

Why Plastics? l. A wide variety of different qualities– Rigid vs. Flexible – Clear vs. Opaque l Lightweight l Strong l Cost

Which Plastics are Used? l Six resins account for almost 97 percent of all plastic used in packaging. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – 9% l High-density polyethylene (HDPE) – 29% l Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) – 32% l Poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) – 5% l Poly-propylene (PP) – 11% l Polystyrene (PS) – 11% l

Polypropylene l Physical Properties – Durable l High elongation – 300% l High Tensile Strength – 4500 psi l High Yield Strength – 4000 psi – High Melting point – Low Density l Lowest density of all plastics used in packaging

Why Polypropylene? l Practicality – Inexpensive – Chemically resistant – Ideal for holding hot liquids – Stretchy vs. rigid l Many everyday uses – Ketchup bottles – Peanut butter jars

Polyvinyl Chloride l Need Title Chemically non-reactive l Flexible vs. Rigid l Self Extinguishing l Plasticized vs. Unplasticized l – Plasticized is more flexible

Why PVC l Versatile – Can be machined with standard metal working tools l Self Extinguishing – Used to house electrical wiring l Many forms – Sheet – Tubing – Piping

Polyvinylidene Dichloride l Discovered in 1933 – Accidental Discovery – Original use was to stop corrosion on airplanes – After a green color and a pungent smell had been removed it was used for food storage. l Most common form of PVDC is Saran Wrap®

Why PVDC l PVDC is a very effective food preservation method. – Co-polymerization used in synthesis creates a very tight molecular chain l Provides good barrier against air and moisture. l Chemically non-reactive – Ensures that food won’t taste like plastic

Plastic vs. The Alternatives Stress Strengths

Plastic vs. The Alternatives l Incredibly lightweight l 2 lbs of plastic can deliver 1000 oz. of liquid. To carry the same amount it would take: • 3 lbs of aluminum • 8 lbs of steel • 27 lbs of glass Compared to glass, plastic drink bottles allow a distribution truck to carry up to 63% more drink and 83% less packaging. l Compared to paper, 7 trucks are needed to deliver the same quantity of paper bags contained in one truckload of plastic bags. l

Plastic vs. The Alternatives l Cost As of mid-2000, PET was selling for app. $. 62/lb. l Around the same time, aluminum alloy was selling for app. $1. 28/lb. l – Plastic reduces distribution costs • Decrease in necessary truckloads • Fuel savings – Reduces lost inventory costs.

Plastic vs. The Alternatives l Environment l l Impact Plastics are recycled less frequently than glass and aluminum. Plastics are not biodegradable.

Plastic vs. The Alternatives l Environmental l Impact Plastic also has a positive impact on the environment. Consider the following fact: – When comparing the manufacturing processes of polystyrene and paper cups, it was found the paper cups use: • 15 times more chemicals. • More than 6 times more steam. • 13 times more electricity. • 30% more cooling water. • 170 times more process water. l The lightweight nature of plastics results in fewer truckloads and less fuel usage.

Recycle (cont. ) l Recycling process – Collection – Sorting – Reclamation

Recycle (cont. ) l Benefits – Less landfill waste – Environmentally friendly

Recycle l Statistics – >80% of all US households have access to plastic collection and recycling programs – In 1998 plastic bottle packaging amassed 1. 45 billion pounds by volume l Commonly recycled plastics – Plastic Grocery Bags – Plastic Milk Jugs and Detergent Bottles – Plastic Beverage Containers

Reuse (cont. ) l Good Examples – Large reusable containers Small packages of concentrated product are bought and diluted to large container l Reduces product packaging cost, landfill space l – Reusable Plastic Shipping Containers (RPSC’s) Replaces single use containers l Reduces shipping/receiving costs, landfill space l

Reusing and Recycling Plastic Packaging l Reuse – – l Statistics Commonly reused plastic packaging Benefits Good Examples Recycle – – Statistics Commonly recycled plastic packaging Recycling Process Benefits

Reuse l Statistic – A 1997 survey found 80% of Americans reuse plastic products and packaging l Common Reusable Packaging – Plastic Grocery Bags – Plastic Milk Jugs and Detergent Bottles – Plastic Beverage Containers

Reuse (cont. ) l Benefits – Good Properties Long lasting l Durable l Chemically inert l – Delays filling of landfills – Lowers cost of garbage disposal

In Summary l Plastics – Lighter …. . ………………. – Cheaper …………. . . – More Durable ……………

Questions? ? ?