PET VS. OTHER PACKAGES
PET VS. PVC
PET
PET plastic has the ability to take colorants very well and demonstrates excellent adherence qualities for external printing. It is FDA- approved food graved plastic which makes it safe for storing food. This plastic is versatile when it comes to use. It can be thermoformed into a variety of shapes may it be a package for food, electronics, retail and other products. It is lightweight, transparent and shatterproof.
It has lower heat resistance compared to PVC. The production of PET plastic, partially derived from crude oil which is harmful for the environment. Although PET is more expensive than PVC, it is more environmentally friendly since it does not lose its fundamental properties during the recovery.
PVC
PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a rigid plastic designed to withstand impacts. It has excellent tensile strength and good resistance to chemicals and alkalies. It ranks well for hardness and durability. This material can be seen in creating cables, roofing materials, commercial signage, flooring, faux leather clothing, pipes, and more.
It emits hydrogen chloride when burned which might be a health hazard. Due to its smell and lower resistance to temperature, it is not safe for storing food. Most state authorities do not accept PVC in consumer recycling programs. Clear PVC has often a light tint while PET is virtually clear.
PET VS. LDPE VS. HDPE
PET
PET bottles are 20-30% cheaper and lighter in weight than HDPE. 1.8 billion pounds of PET bottles and containers are recovered every year and have a recycling rate of 55%.
Due to its transparent appearance, it can show off the product and ensure the customers that their product were safe. Products that require sturdier plastic such as dried products are more applicable to use PET as packaging.
LDPE
LDPE – Low Density Polyethylene is a type of thermoplastic that is created from the monomer ethylene. Unlike PET, it has opaque, natural-colored plastic. This kind of plastic is squeezable so it can be used as garbage bags, cling wrap, squeeze bottles, mulch film, irrigation, tubing, and refuse bags. LDPE is also FDA approved and BPA free which make it safe for storing food like PET.
LDPE packaging are usually cost more but the material is at high-quality.
HDPE
HDPE – High Density Polyethylene is also one of the most versatile plastic in the world. Its advantages are good oxygen barrier, squeezable, great impact strength, and easily recycled. Just like PET and LDPE, it is also BPA free and FDA approved, so it is safe for food packaging.
It is more expensive due to high raw materials. Although it is recyclable, the rate of bottles recovered is only 31%. The rate of landfill of HDPE is high compared to other plastic packaging materials. They are also 100% recyclable but it requires intensive processing techniques to achieve desired purity with increased operational costs than PET.
PET VS. PP
PET
PET most commonly available plastic in the world. plastic cups are slightly better than PP containers. It shows higher durability and is shatterproof. It also has better oxygen barrier properties, the ability to retain the taste and aroma of food, and resistant to acids, grease, and oils.
In terms of heat resistance, it can only withstand 160 degrees Fahrenheit while PP can withstand up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if PP resists heat better than PET, PET plastic resists cold much better than PP. PET plastic is not easy to print on so it uses paper, cardboard, or thin plastic in order to give a brand.
PP
PP – Polypropylene Plastic, the second most widely used plastic in the world, was produced via condensation polymerization of ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate. It is also used for soft drink bottles, the production of fibers for clothing in textile industry, production of containers for food and beverage storage. It is also lightweight, low toxicity, high melting point and is highly transparent. PP plastic can
PP plastic may be printed in a variety of colors. In terms of branding PP is a better choice but once printed it cannot be repurposed since it is already permanent.
It has low resistance to aromatics and chlorinated solvents. It also shows vulnerability to UV degradation. PP in comparison is more opaque because of its poor bonding properties, it is well known to be challenging to paint. Still, it is used as it gives distinctive look to the cup.
PET VS. CARDBOARD
PET
PET plastic is energy-efficient packaging material since raw materials are derived from natural gas or crude oil. Due to its low weight-to-strength ratio, this plastic has an advantage when it comes to transport. It is infinitely reusable as it does not decompose over time.
CARDBOARD
Cardboard or brick cartons packaging is a multi-layered multi-material packaging, well known as tetra packs. It is composed of the outer layer which is made from wood and the innermost layer which is made from aluminum. The innermost layer is in direct contact with a food item, in plastic. The pieces of cardboard will take them six to eight months to break down completely.
Due to its opaque appearance, consumers can’t determine the quality of the product inside which might pose as hazardous. They are also bulkier and heavier which means a higher carbon footprint. Paper can only be reused 4-5 times and it reduces its quality every time.
PET VS. ALUMINUM VS. GLASS
PET
PET plastic has a lower carbon footprint because it is lightweight in transportation which is less emissions. Unlike glass and aluminum, it requires lesser energy due to lower temperature in the process of melting the raw materials. It offers all the benefits of glass durability, reusability and transparency and still lighter, cheaper and more versatile.
ALUMINUM
Glass is 100%recyclable and it can be recycled without reducing the quality. But the recyclable process of glass uses a lot of energy because of the high temperatures needed to melt it.
Glass also uses raw materials from mining which leads to pollution. Materials such as silica sand and dolomite when inhaled can lead to lunch condition silicosis.
Transporting glass bottles causes a higher carbon footprint since it requires more fuel as it weighs heavier.
GLASS
Aluminum cans are also completely recyclable. Glass and aluminum do not break into harmful microplastics, unlike plastics. Cans are lighter than glass and aren’t made from fossil fuels.
Only 45% of aluminum cans are being recycled in the world. However, using recycled materials in producing aluminum cans can reduce its carbon footprint.
It also impacts environmentally since the raw materials came from mining. Also, the refining of bauxite ore contaminates water.