Environmental Impact

PLASTILITE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Plastilite is committed to being a good steward of the environment, and believes that the products it provides are consistent with that philosophy.  We are confident that not only are the packaging solutions we offer sensible and economical, but also ecologically responsible.

In addition to products, Plastilite continues to invest in and seek resourceful ways to improve our production methods, increase energy efficiencies, and reduce waste.  Plastilite uses clean burning, and domestically provided, natural gas to fuel the boilers in our manufacturing systems.  We also recapture and recyle the water used in our steam molding process, which significantly reduces our consumption. 

Here are other interesting facts regarding the materials we use, manufacture, and distribute.

EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE (EPS)

EPS foam is the primary component in Plastilite's protective and insulative packaging solutions.  We also believe it remains a viable and surprisingly green packaging material for an increasingly eco conscious world.  Though it is sometimes unfairly lumped into a class with other types of foam materials that can be toxic and environmentally hazardous, EPS has fundamentally different components and characteristics.

Consider these EPS facts: 

>>
 Though some foam materials are harmful to the atmosphere, EPS foam has never contained any CFC's or HCFC's that can diminish the ozone layer.
   
>> With sensitivity to our dependence to foreign oil, EPS is a stingy user of petroleum that, as finished products, can consist of up to 98% air.   It can take several times more (petroleum) energy just to manufacture some other materials than what actually makes up the equivalent in our EPS.
   
>> The shipping containers Plastilite molds out of EPS are strong, lightweight, great insulators, and in many cases reusable.  They allow for the economical shipment of perishable and fragile products while greatly decreasing shipping weight, waste, and damages.
   
>> EPS is not readily biodegradable, however, modern landfills are designed to inhibit decomposition, because many organic materials, such as paper goods, that do decompose, often create dangerous gases such as methane or contaminate groundwater as they break down.
   
>> Even though EPS material can be recycled, it is not always readily accessible or even practical in every community.   When not locally collected, it is generally not advisable for EPS waste material to be shipped or mailed for recycling, especially if more energy is required to transport and then reprocess the material than to produce as new.

OTHER PRODUCTS

Corrugated supplied by Plastilite as a component in our packaging, or used internally to ship our products, is generally made up of 40% or greater recycled fiber.

THERMA-FROST and other ice packs manufactured by Plastilite are non-toxic, and often reusable as well.

THERMALAST liner bags help to extend shipping life of perishable materials, therefore reducing the need for airborne shipments, and often the shipping weight of ice.

EQUINE AND SWINE INSEMINATION shippers greatly reduce the need to actually transport livestock for the purpose of reproduction.