Have you ever looked at the bottom of a product in a plastic bottle or jar to see what it is made of? You will most likely encounter a product made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET). It is strong, resistant to breakage, and can be as transparent as a glass bottle or jar. PET is an excellent choice in many industries. Its chemical resistance, strength/weight ratio, shatter resistance and low product cost make it an easy-to-use solution for consumable packaging.
Advantages of using PET plastic bottles
First, we want to clarify some common misconceptions about plastic bottles.
Some plastic bottles are not recyclable
Yes, there are recycling and waste management companies that have restrictions on certain plastic products, but in general, you should be able to recycle any plastic products you buy from a grocery store. This includes disposable bags!
Plastic causes the most garbage
In fact, cigarette butts are the most common rubbish in the world. Although it is unfortunate to see plastic in the environment, it can always be recycled and reused.
Plastic bottles and food containers can cause cancer
This myth started with viral emails and has been spreading ever since. According to the latest evidence and scientific research in the past ten years, there is currently no connection with this myth.
PET plastic bottles have many advantages not only for stored products but also for consumers and the environment. Some of these advantages include:
Energy saving:
Compared with the production of glass packaging, the energy and natural resources used in the manufacturing process of PET packaging are significantly reduced. This includes fossil fuels and water.
Recyclable:
Did you know that 100% PET plastic bottles can be recycled? With the modern advancement of manufacturing technology, the weight of plastic bottles has been redesigned to be reduced by 30%, thereby reducing the amount of plastic used to manufacture plastic bottles.
Chemical resistance:
PET forms a strong barrier with the external environment, and almost no oxygen passes through. It does not react with water or food, so it is very suitable for packaging consumer products.
Shatterproof:
Unlike glass, PET plastic will not crack or shatter. This makes it a safer choice than glass containers. Once full, this also makes transportation safer and cheaper.
flexibility:
Since PET can be molded into different shapes at a lower cost than glass, it is easier for brands to use unique packaging designs to identify and promote their products and help them stand out.
Why is PET suitable for plastic bottles?
PET is a popular choice for plastic bottles, because PET has an unparalleled strength/weight ratio compared to similar glass products, reduces costs and saves transportation, and has a good record in the safety and reliability of consumer products.
From the beginning of the manufacturing process, PET has been designed as a strong and flexible material that can be used in many different types of plastic bottles and containers. It is important to note that every bottle is tested and carefully monitored to meet safety standards. By using compounds such as PET, we can have safe plastic bottle containers, thereby saving energy throughout the manufacturing process, low manufacturing costs, and recyclable and sustainable development.
Is PET plastic safe?
PET plastic is a safe packaging material for many food and beverage products. PET plastic has been approved by the FDA and similar regulatory agencies around the world as a food and beverage contact safety product, and has been maintained for more than 30 years. One of the main concerns of the public is that chemicals "seep" from plastic bottles into the products they consume. As part of the assessment, the FDA checks whether plastic components and other substances have been transferred to the liquid in the bottle and whether the content is within safety standards.
Other security issues include:
Phthalates:
PET does not contain phthalates. Although phthalates contain the suffix-phthalates, phthalates are not used in the production of PET plastic bottles.
Endocrine disruptors in plastics:
Contrary to popular belief, PET plastic does not contain endocrine disruptors.
Heat can cause dioxins to be released from the plastic:
PET plastic does not contain dioxins, nor is it produced when heated in a microwave oven or left in a car in hot weather. In addition, if there is no chlorine (PET plastic does not contain chlorine), dioxins cannot be formed.
Reuse plastic water bottles:
PET water bottles and containers can often be reused. However, water bottles marked for single use should be properly disposed of and recycled.
All in all, PET is the most trusted plastic directly used in consumer products. Many companies and brands use it for many reasons. Its strength and flexibility are comparable to glass. Production and transportation costs before and after bottling are lower.