A Few Fast Facts on. . .

Plastics in the Waste Stream

• Without plastics, the total volume of packaging waste would increase by around 160 percent.
  
  
• Because plastics are lightweight, durable and versatile, manufacturers can minimize the material used and the waste generated by using plastic products and packaging.
  
  
• Without plastics' resistance to corrosion, the product life of some major appliances would be reduced by nearly 40 percent. By helping them last longer, plastics keep appliances and other durable goods out of the waste stream.
  
  
• You could carry home 1,000 oz. of soda in 2 lbs. of plastic packaging, but it would take 27 lbs. of glass, 8 lbs. of steel and 3 lbs. of aluminum to do the same job.
  
  
• It takes 4.3 lbs. of glass to package one gallon of milk or juice, but less than 1/4 lb. of plastic to do the same job.
  
  
• Some plastics can be recycled. Hundreds of quality products made with or packaged in post-consumer recycled plastic now are commercially available.
  
  
  • Two soft drink bottles can make a baseball cap, when recycled into polyester fiber.
  • Artificial lumber made of recycled plastic is used in sea walls, fence posts and park benches.
  • Plastic bags and stretch wrap are finding their way into decking material that is unsurpassed for its durability. It does not decay or crack, resists damage from termites and ants and requires no protective sealants.
  
  
• Plastic packaging, which makes up less than 6 percent (by weight) of discarded products in the municipal waste stream, can be disposed of safely in landfills.
  
  
• When incinerated, plastics - with their high energy content - help the entire mix to burn more efficiently, enhancing waste-to-energy conversion and leaving less ash.

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