The origin of Stretch plastic
Originally, the slippery plastic wrap called STRETCH PLASTIC was a chemistry mistake, a residue that clung tenaciously to the bottom of a beaker in a laboratory in the 1940s. Initially, the military used it to line boots. and airplanes. Today, consumers and industries around the world use this water-resistant substance for a wide variety of uses, from wrapping food to wrapping goods on pallets as a containment and protection mechanism. Today, consumers around the world have brands of transparent film made of PVDC, PVC and polyethylene.
When Stretch Plastic reaches the environment
Recycling thin, flimsy stretch plastic bags is difficult as, without specialized equipment, they clog machinery. And even if it is recycled, it costs more than using virgin materials. According to the World Health Organization, when they end up in landfills or incinerators, both PVC and PVDC can release very toxic chemicals called dioxins.
In marine ecosystems, cling film contributes to the plastic pollution crisis, but unlike other plastics, scientists have determined that PVC and PVDC capture bacteria and metals very well. These contaminated microplastic fragments can harm fish that mistake them for food. If these fish feed on plastic, the human beings who consume them are also feeding on plastic, increasing our chances of suffering from degenerative diseases.
Is stretch plastic recyclable to make new Stretch plastic?
We are 100% in favor of recycling plastics… but not in Stretch Film. Using recycled material in this product has several undesirable production and quality implications. This film is too thin.
In recycled raw material it is impossible to eliminate 100% the presence of impurities such as garbage or carbon. These impurities will cause the film to break easily.
For all of the above, the result of a recycled film is that a very large amount of product will have to be used with poor performance, poor optics and a lot of waste, and therefore more waste to the environment.
What is the solution?
The solution is for companies to migrate to load protection and containment solutions that can be used many times and not just once as is the case with Stretch.
By investing in our REUSABLE PALLET COVER solution, companies, in addition to reducing their plastic waste, will save tons of money annually, and will be able to demonstrate to government entities a true plan to reduce the generation of plastic packaging waste.
