Sustainability is becoming a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, and plastic production is no exception. With growing awareness of environmental challenges and an urgent need to reduce pollution, industries are increasingly reevaluating their acquisition, use, and disposal of plastics and plastic products.
Sustainable plastic production involves using recycled materials, reducing waste, lowering energy usage, and moving towards a circular economy. Read on for a comprehensive look at sustainable practices in plastic production.
What is a Circular Economy?
A circular economy aims to keep materials, products, and resources in use for as long as possible. Unlike the traditional linear approach that follows a take, make, and dispose pattern, a circular economy encourages reuse, repair, and regeneration. This approach has been shown to minimise waste and reduce the environmental impact of production and consumption.
Striving to transition toward a circular economy can help safeguard the planet’s natural resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the volume of waste sent to landfill. By designing systems that emphasise sustainable principles, societies may unlock long-term environmental, economic, and social value. A circular economy also has the potential to foster innovation, create employment opportunities, and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.
Using Recycled Plastics
Using recycled plastics plays an important role in reducing reliance on virgin plastic, which typically involves high energy consumption and the use of raw fossil fuels. Recycled plastics help limit environmental pollution, especially in marine ecosystems, and reduce the significant volume of waste sent to landfills annually.
Plastic injection moulding can incorporate recycled plastics by sourcing previously used materials, cleaning and processing them, and then melting and injecting them into moulds to create new products. These items may include automotive parts, packaging, toys, containers, and more.
The use of recycled plastics in plastic injection moulding represents a practical approach to giving discarded materials a second life, potentially lowering the environmental footprint of plastic production. It also allows manufacturers to reduce spending on raw materials and energy, while helping them align with sustainability targets and regulatory expectations.
Reducing Energy Consumption
Reducing energy consumption is important because it can help lower the carbon footprint of manufacturing processes. Using less energy typically results in fewer emissions from fossil fuels, contributing to efforts to address climate change. It also tends to improve production cost-efficiency and reduce pressure on national energy systems, supporting more stable energy pricing.
Plastic extrusion often consumes less energy by operating continuously and efficiently. In this process, plastic materials are heated and pushed through a shaped die to form products such as pipes, tubing, or sheets. The equipment used in extrusion is usually designed for steady, long-run operations, which can help reduce energy spikes and enhance overall efficiency.
Plastic extrusion’s relatively lower energy demand offers manufacturers the opportunity to produce large quantities of plastic products with less input, thereby lowering both operational costs and environmental impact. When recycled plastics are used in extrusion, additional energy savings may be achievable compared to using virgin materials.
Curbing Waste Generation
Curbing waste generation is important because it helps reduce the volume of rubbish that ends up in landfills or the natural environment. It also conserves materials by making better use of existing resources. Reducing waste contributes to a cleaner, healthier ecosystem and supports international efforts to manage pollution more responsibly.
Plastic thermoforming can aid in waste reduction by using thin sheets of plastic that are heated and moulded into specific shapes. This method is typically efficient, producing minimal excess material. Even leftover trimmings can often be recovered and reused. Thermoforming is commonly applied to make packaging, trays, containers, and other lightweight plastic goods.
Plastic thermoforming that results in fewer byproducts can lead to lower material waste, reduced production costs, and support the broader goals of circular economy practices. When recycled plastic sheets are used in thermoforming, the environmental benefits may be further amplified, contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing model.
