Plastic is a substance which is becoming more and more common in our society each day. It is inexpensive to produce, easy to mold into virtually any form, can be hard or soft and offers an impressive lifespan.

While plastic offers many benefits it is our inability as a society to effectively recycle plastic combined with its high environmental cost that make it so dangerous.

I Thought We Recycled All Our Used Plastic

While the annual plastic resin production in the United States has been on the rise since the 1970s, in the past 20 years plastic production has doubled, only 3 to 5 percent of plastics are actually recycled. According to a recent best Life Magazine article, we can expect yearly plastic resin production in the United States to reach 120 billion lbs by 2010.

The Problem With Recycling Plastic

While there are seven different types, one being “other,” of plastic that are commonly used – only two have much of a secondary life. At least PET, commonly used in soda bottles, and HDPE, commonly used in milk jugs, offer some sort of real recyclable value.

Doesn’t Plastic Eventually Biodegrade?

The short answer is – “No.” Unlike many other materials plastic does not biodegrade – instead it photodegrades. When plastic photodegrades it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic instead of splitting into simpler compounds. In our oceans the small bits of plastic created through photodegradation are actually called mermaid tears or nurdles.

Managing our Plastic Addiction

With new plastic being churned out at an estimated rate of 328 million lbs a day by 2010 – it seems like an overwhelming addiction. How do we manage this addiction? By reducing our usage of plastic and by recycling and reusing the plastic we already have. As consumers we can actively chose products in paper and glass packaging and we can choose not to purchase over-packaged items – this in turn will force manufacturers to make changes.

Understanding Recycling Symbols

Recycling symbols can be separated into two groups; “recycled” and “recyclable.” The use of “recycled” and “recyclable” are both governed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC provides guidelines for their use in the document “Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.”

• http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/grnrule/guides980427.htm

While the FTC governs these standards in the United States, on an international level the standards are defined in the ISO 14021: Environmental Labels and Declarations-Self-declared Environmental Claims. You can find the ISO standard here:

• http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm? csnumber=34425

Plastic recycling symbols were originally created in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). Like the FTC and ISO, SPI provides a guide for proper usage of the symbols.

• http://www.plasticsindustry.org/outreach/recycling/2124.htm

In January 1995, thirty-nine US states adopted legislation requiring the use of the SPI number codes.

Recycled Plastic Symbols and Numbers

Plastic items that have been recycled will bear the recycled symbol on them. The symbol should be as close to the bottom center of the product as possible. Inside the symbol you should find a number which indicates what type of plastic it is. The following is a list of numbers and the types of plastic they indicate:

1. PET/PETE or Polyethylene Terephthalate. PET is a “thermoplastic polymer resin” and is commonly used in synthetic fibers, beverage, food and other liquid containers. PET is also used in both thermoforming applications and engineering resins often in combination with glass fiber. It is considered by some to be “one of the most important raw materials used in man-made fibers.”
2. HDPE or High-density Polyethylene. HDPE is a “polyethylene thermoplastic” made from petroleum. It takes 1.75 kilograms of petroleum in energy and raw materials to make one kilogram of HDPE. With peak petroleum production a reality in our lifetimes should we still be manufacturing new HDPE? Milk jugs are commonly made out of HDPE.
3. PVC/V Poly or Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC is a “thermoplastic polymer” and while it is traditionally thought of as a hard plastic it can be made softer and more flexible. PVC is widely used in construction as it is cheap, durable and easy to assemble. In the hard form PVC is used as vinyl siding, magnetic stripe cards, window profiles, records, pipe, plumbing and conduit fixtures. In soft form it is used in both clothing and upholstery Soft PVC can also be used to make flexible hoses and tubing, flooring, roofing membranes, and electrical cable insulation.
4. LDPE – Low-density Polyethylene. LDPE is a “thermoplastic” made from oil. Similar to HDPE in our current environmental climate should we still be manufacturing new LDPE? LDPE is most commonly used for manufacturing containers. LDPE is used in dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, plastic bags for computer components, and various molded laboratory equipment. The most common use of LDPE is plastic bags.
5. PP – Polypropylene. PP is a “thermoplastic polymer” which is commonly used in packaging, textiles, stationery, plastic parts, lab equipment and loudspeakers . PP is also found in automotive components and polymer banknotes.
6. PS – Polystyrene. PS is an “thermoplastic” made from petroleum. In this way, PS is very similar to both HDTP and LDPE. While solid at room temperature PS, when heated PS melts only to return solid again once it cools. It’s this quality that makes it attractive for a variety of uses such as producing plastic model assembly kits, license plate frames, plastic cutlery, food containers and jewel cases for CDs.
7. Other. Which means the product is made up of plastic resins that are not in the initial six or is some unique combination of the initial six.

Recyclable Symbol

A plastic item that carries a recyclable symbol indicates it is recyclable. The more you properly recycle, the less waste that will end up in our landfills and oceans. Please properly recycle all plastic of this type.

Does Any Symbol Ensure Human Health?

While theses symbols allow you to quickly identify what type of plastic you are dealing with, and they also let you know if you can recycle it – they don’t cover any human health concerns.

For example, let’s consider PS or Polystrene which is used for human food containers and cutlery. What is the health effect for humans when the PS food containers leach chemicals into the food they are carrying through heat exchange? According to the EPA, “Acute (short-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in mucous membrane and eye irritation, and gastrointestinal effects. Chronic (long-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in effects on the central nervous system (CNS), such as headache, fatigue, weakness, and depression, CSN dysfunction, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy. Human studies are inconclusive on the reproductive and developmental effects of styrene; several studies did not report an increase in developmental effects in women who worked in the plastics industry, while an increased frequency of spontaneous abortions and decreased frequency of births were reported in another study. Several epidemiologic studies suggest there may be an association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. However, the evidence is inconclusive due to confounding factors. EPA has not given a formal carcinogen classification to styrene.”

Are All Plastics Bad?

While there is room for plastic in our world there isn’t room for our present plastic addiction. We are burning through natural resources, creating incredible waste and all the time neglecting to even properly recycle the plastic we’ve already created. Plastic isn’t our only option, depending upon the application, glass is a much greener alternative.

Working together we can actively reduce our plastic consumption and improve our recycling rates. Why waste our valuable natural resources on petroleum based plastics when we can recycle? We created this addiction to plastic together, and we need to work together to free ourselves from it. Remember by reducing, reusing and recycling you are doing your part to fight global warming.

Author: Sam Greyhawk

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist working with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner. Cool-N-Save(tm) is a revolutionary new air conditioner add-on can be installed in 10 minutes with no tools required. During the hottest months, your air conditioner can be responsible for up to 90% of your monthly electric bill. The Cool-N-Save(tm) improves air conditioner efficiency by up to 30%. – which translates into real savings for you. Saving energy helps fight global warming and Cool-N-Save(tm) is a cost-effective way to reduce your energy use.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Greyhawk

Recycled Plastic PET Bottle Lights

Here are two creative individuals who have decided to DO something instead of offering lip-service to the term RECYCLE. They use their imagination to craft out the most amazing Recycled Plastic PET Bottle Lights.

Want to Recycle Your Ride

Even if auto plastics are recycled, certain parts of the car will end up in a landfill. But Argonne estimates that recycling just the plastic and metal would represent 24 million barrels of oil saved each year.

PET container group  eco-plastic PLA

The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), which represents those who recycle plastic soda and food bottles has fired a criticism at the alternative corn-derivative plastic known as PLA

Technorati Tags: plastics, plastics that can be recycled, recycle, recycled, recycling plastic bottles, what plastics can be recycled, which plastics can be recycled

If you are concerned about the environment and usage and storage of water you may want to consider the delivery option. For those looking for ways to protect the Earth, bottled water delivery has many benefits.

Bottled water delivery companies have been among the first to begin reusing and recycling plastic bottles. And consumers can also recycle single-serve bottles. Learn more about how consumers can take an active role in "going green" when it comes to bottled water delivered to their homes and purchased in stores.

With all of the recent environmental concern about bottled water and recycling plastic bottles, you may be wondering how you can get the pure taste of bottled water that you love without impacting Mother Earth. Bottled water delivery is one approach to greener living that consumers are taking advantage of more and more. The majority of the larger bottled water containers that are used in bottled water delivery services can be sanitized and reused, and when they can no longer be used, they can be recycled by the water delivery provider. Another approach is to go green by recycling plastic bottles from single-serve containers as well as encouraging friends and co-workers to recycle.

Going Green with Bottled Water Delivery

Throughout the United States many consumers and businesses are electing to purchase bottled drinking water instead of tap or well water, whether from the grocery store in single-serve containers or from a bottled water delivery service. The trend is clearly on the rise. A recent study of the bottled water industry indicates that U.S. bottled water sales and consumption continue to multiply at double digit rates as consumers and businesses increasingly choose bottled water as a beverage of choice¹. With this notable increase in bottled water sales has come increasing concern about the impact of plastic bottles on the environment.

Contrary to what the general public often believes, the bottled water industry was among the first to begin recycling plastic bottles. The industry was founded by utilizing the reusable container system of the Home and Office (HOD) delivery segment. The bottled water that is provided by bottled water delivery services typically comes in 3 or 5-gallon bottles that can be used by the consumer, then picked up by the water bottle provider, sanitized, sterilized, repackaged, and sent back to the consumer. The exact number of time that these bottles can be reused varies, depending on where the bottles are stored and how much they are handled, but oftentimes they can be used for several years. These bottles can be delivered to your home or office and they can also be purchased at major retail locations.

Bottled water offers a healthy alternative to other beverages that container sugar and calories, and home and office bottled water delivery offers ease and convenience to consumers and businesses. The quality of product and service offerings in the marketplace differs significantly. Therefore, it is beneficial to the consumer to investigate any potential bottled water supplier with care. Bottled water delivery companies work hard to protect the environment, and urge those that enjoy their products to do the same.

Consumers’ Role in Going Green

The qualities spurring bottled water’s growth are clear. Many consumers recognize it to be healthy and safe. So, you may be wondering how you can continue to enjoy your favorite bottled water while lessening the impact on the environment. There are many actions we can take to reduce the amount of waste we generate or that we send to the landfill. Making recycling plastic bottles a habit and promoting recycling at home and in the office is a huge step towards going green. Challenge yourself, as well as your family and friends, to see how much waste you can reduce from your weekly curbside pickup.

Did you know that 100% of bottled water containers are recyclable, where facilities exist? Take advantage of your community’s recycling program, if one is available. For consumers that have recycling programs available through their municipality or locality, check your local phonebook to contact them and learn about recycling programs in your community and how to obtain the curbside recycling bins.

Recycling program guidelines differ depending on the area, so check with the local recycler regarding specific expectations and preparation of the materials. Here are some general guidelines:

• Separate caps, lids, or easily removable labels from the plastic prior to recycling plastic bottles.
• Rinse containers
• Step on the bottle or container to reduce its volume before placing it in your recycling container

If you are not currently using a bottled water delivery service, recycling should be encouraged away from home as well. To obtain specialized recycling bins that are made for the office, church, school or special events, contact your local recycler.

A note of caution–although it is tempting, refilling single-serve water bottles with tap water and reusing them repeatedly is not recommended due to potential sanitation concerns. Continually refilling these water bottles with tap water, without cleaning or sanitizing the bottles in between can introduce harmful bacteria to the water that should not be consumed. Recycling plastic bottles or using a bottled water delivery service that sanitizes bottles and then recycles them is a much better alternative for you, your family and the environment.

Conclusion

Amid concerns of the impact of bottled water on the environment, it is time to step up and take action to go green. There are several options that enable you to continue to enjoy the benefits of bottled water while lessening the impact it has on the environment. Taking advantage of a bottled water delivery service at home and in the office, as well as promoting and recycling plastic bottles, are two ways in which you can go green.

References

1. International Bottle Water Association Press Release dated April 13, 2006; http://www.bottledwater.org

About the Author

Joseph Silva is the Director of Marketing for DS Waters. DS Waters is a bottled water manufacturer and distributor of Alhambra, Belmont Springs, Crystal Springs, Hinckley Springs, Kentwood Springs, Sierra Springs, and Sparkletts. For more information on home or office water delivery, visit Water.com.

By Joseph Silva

Designpedia, Amazing design-news 

Recycled Plastic Bottle Igloo Building. “Because Americans drink 70 million disposable bottles of water each day, with just 10 million making their way to a recycling bin, Jasmine wants to help spread the word about recycling 

Get Your Green On 

These rubber mats are made from old plastics and other rubber goods that have been recycled. While you are at the playground, also take a look at the benches. Many benches are being made out of recycled plastics but it does not stop there. … It is one thing to put your plastic water bottle into a bin and quite another to see the marvelous ways it is being reused. It is positive reinforcement that your actions are helping the environment in very great ways 

Recycled Plastic Products

T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, baseball caps all can be found containing polyester made from recycled plastic. Advertise your company or non profit and help the environment too. Recycled products has a big selection of recycled plastic 

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