~ by Kelli Lee on November 6, 2016
You may be familiar with Recycler Pipes but have you actually ever considered recycling your pipe? After launching this business we are often confronted with the question, why plastic over glass for your products? Our answer is multifaceted but don’t fret, the Weekly Addiction blog will hopefully answer all of your questions!
For this topic we will start with basics about plastic. My goal is to help you understanding what types of plastics exist, how they are produced and manufactured, where they go after being purchased, traded, etc, the life cycle of plastic products and how all of this relates to Pass The Piece's products. Keep in mind, we did not select plastic for our products solely because they are plastic. Read our blogs regarding why we chose 3D printing: Sustainability in 3D Printing.
What is most important is not just which plastics are recyclable but the rate at which the recyclable ones are ACTUALLY RECYCLED and the associated carbon footprint! Generally everyone is slightly familiar with the plastic resin codes, aka numbers inside circling arrows, on our plastics. So which are the recyclable ones?
♳ - #1 is for PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
PET is one of the most commonly used plastics, water bottles, packaging and many common consumer items are made of this type of plastic. PET plastic is recyclable, however only approximately 31.2% of PET is recycled in the US.
In a positive contrast, Switzerland reported an 81% recycling rate of their PET bottles sold! So what is going on with the US? Is it a lack of awareness, incentive, empathy, ignorance? As consumer markets globalize it is important that we all do our part in sharing facts and knowledge about the products we purchase, trade, sell, manufacture, etc.
As you browse our products you will see PETG as an option for available material type. PETG ♳ is of the same chemical composition of PET but with the addition of glycol. This addition (G - glycol) transforms the plastic into a softer more pliable material while maintaining the recyclability!
We are unsure of the direct cause within the US preventing consumers from recycling at higher rates but we try to take this into account with our products. First, our PETG is purchased from suppliers that have already recycled these filaments. Meaning all of our PETG products will be comprised of 100% post consumer recycled material. Our post consumer recycled PETG is comprised of soda bottles, water bottles of all shapes and sizes and much more! Believe it or not, there are a variety, however only currently a handful, of companies dedicated to recycling plastics and making filaments we can all use to 3D print objects at home!
Next step in our thought process: How do we encourage recycling of our products, again, when they complete their new life as a consumer item? Well, we incentivize it of course! At Pass The Piece our mission is global change, being community focused, environmentally responsible, a sustainable small business and transparency. As our brand develops we will offer a recycling program, where our products and potentially other recyclable products can be returned and redeemed with promo codes and coupons for future purchases! We want to hear from you on what incentives will encourage recycling of any recyclable materials, beyond our own products, because the dire need for recycling is global and immediate! We vow to do our part in personal and business lives alike, in contribution of Global Green Goals and reduction of our carbon footprint! 🌍
To sum up the remaining, there are # 2-7 - ♴♵♶♷♸♹.
The #7 - ♹ category was designed as a catch-all for polycarbonate (PC) and other ♺ plastics. Therefore recycling protocols are not standardized within this category. For many, a primary concern with #7 - ♹ plastics is the potential for chemical leaching into food or drink products packaged in polycarbonate containers made using BPA (Bisphenol A).
NOTE: Pass The Piece ONLY offers #1 - ♳ PETG coded recyclable plastics. Our other products are comprised of Hemp and PLA. Poly(lactic acid) or polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic derived from renewable resources. We have another blog on this topic here.
In 2007 a study by the Division of Eastern Research Group Inc concluded that PET bottles generated lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. PET required less energy and resulted in less post consumer solid waste than PLA.
Wikipedia outlines a comprehensive list of common plastics and their uses:
- Polyester (PES) – Fibers, textiles
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – Carbonated drinks bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic film, microwavable packaging
- Polyethylene (PE) – Wide range of inexpensive uses including supermarket bags, plastic bottles
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE) – Detergent bottles, milk jugs, and molded plastic cases
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – Plumbing pipes and guttering, shower curtains, window frames, flooring
- Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) – Food packaging, such as Saran
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) – Outdoor furniture, siding, floor tiles, shower curtains, clamshell packaging
- Polypropylene (PP) – Bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers, appliances, car fenders (bumpers), plastic pressure pipe systems
- Polystyrene (PS) – Foam peanuts, food containers, plastic tableware, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, compact-disc (CD) and cassette boxes
- High impact polystyrene (HIPS) – Refrigerator liners, food packaging, vending cups
- Polyamides (PA) (Nylons) – Fibers, toothbrush bristles, tubing, fishing line, low-strength machine parts such as engine parts or gun frames
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) – Electronic equipment cases (e.g. computer monitors, printers, keyboards), drainage pipe
- Polyethylene/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PE/ABS) – A slippery blend of PE and ABS used in low-duty dry bearings
- Polycarbonate (PC) – Compact discs, eyeglasses, riot shields, security windows, traffic lights, lenses
- Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS) – A blend of PC and ABS that creates a stronger plastic used in car interior and exterior parts, and mobile phone bodies
- Polyurethanes (PU) – Cushioning foams, thermal insulation foams, surface coatings, printing rollers (Currently sixth or seventh most commonly used plastic material, for instance the most commonly used plastic in cars)
What does all of this have to do with Glass pieces? In 2013, 34% of all glass containers were recycled. If that seems low, it is. Beginning to sound like a familiar problem? We are in the midst of a global recycling emergency! Our prophecy dictates our business decisions and we do believe the following. According to a report by ArcView Market Research the legal marijuana industry in the US is projected to grow to $7.1 billion in 2016! That is a 26% growth in 1 year! There are currently ONLY 25 US states with legal medical marijuana.
With the precedent being set in the last few years, we are expecting this industry to continue exponential growth. If and when the marijuana industry continues growth at unprecedented rates in our near future what happens to all of those consumer products? Based on current statistics it is safe to assume, many things will take up residency in landfills. Which we want to discourage from happening.
To sum up one facet of why we chose plastic pieces instead of glass; Pass The Piece has the opportunity to offer sustainable business practices with 3D printing and at the same time can contribute to cleaning up the planet. We have control over suppliers of our raw materials, taking into account their business models and environmental impacts. We can offer an environmentally friendly, locally owned and operated, production process. We strive to raise awareness about recycling, not only through education and inspiring change, but also through incentivizing a recycling program of our own! We can offer 100% biodegradable and compostable products!
Pass The Piece aspires to B The Change!
A few good reads:
Tree Hugger: Post Consumer Recycled Goods
PET Resin Sustainability - PETRA