PET vs. Polyolefin vs. Polyethylene—Which is the Right Packaging for You?

PET vs. Polyolefin vs. Polyethylene
IMG Source -zmrmarketresearch

This comparison among PET, Polyethylene, and Polyolefin will make it easier for you to choose the right plastic packaging for your products.

If you are exploring our online catalog of packaging products and aren’t able to decide the right plastic container for your requirements, keep in mind that not all plastics are the same.

Don’t worry! Here you will find the differences between the three key types of plastic packaging products—PET, Polyethylene, and Polyolefin.

This comparison will make it easier for you to choose the right plastic packaging for your products. Let’s start it!

PET:

PET or Polyethylene Terephthalate is a durable, lightweight and shatter-resistant plastic used in many packaging.

It is recognized for its ability to take colorants efficiently as well as making the inside products transparent to the consumers.

PET creates a strong barrier against gases, oils, water vapor, dilute acids, chemicals, and UV rays. No wonder why it is a great packaging for water, electronics, foods and more. It is popular packaging for sodas, water, juices, salad dressings, cooking oil, shampoo, mouthwash, and pharmaceuticals. PET is made from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.

It is easy to identify PET bottles as they typically molded on the bottom with the number 1 encircled by triangular arrows symbols while the PET or PETE is placed below the triangle.

PET bottles are great for repeated use.

Contrary to the popular myth, refilling or reusing a PET bottle DOESN’T make a PET bottle to degrade or release harmful elements.

 

 

It is a stable, inert material that doesn’t biologically or chemically degrade with use.

PET containers have been approved as safe for foods and drinks by Health Canada, the FDA, and the EFSA. PET bottles are used by consumers around the world for over 30 years without any unpleasant effect.

However, PET bottles require careful cleaning. Make sure to wash them with soap and hot water. Dry them to make sure it is free of any moisture that might boost bacterial growth.

Avoid using the bottles with scratches inside as they can be harbored with bacteria.

PVC:

PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride is one of the most used plastics and shares some similarities with PET plastic. It withstands high impact and extreme temperature.

However, it is less eco-friendly as it is made of several additives. Besides, it has an average level of durability as it doesn’t offer protection against outside elements. For example, it doesn’t protect against UV rays as PET does.

Polyolefin:

The term Polyolefins is used for the kinds of plastics that include polyethylene in all densities (low high and medium). The word polyolefin means “oil-like”. It is obtained from the oily or waxy texture of plastics types that contain polyethylene. There are four types of Polyolefins given below:

  • LDPE or Low-Density Polyethylene is defined by a range (density) of 0.910-0.940 g/cm3. It withstands room temperature, although it can be reactive to oxidizing agents or some solvents. It is flexible and tough. It is used in carrier bags, milk carton coatings, and heavy-duty industrial bags.

 

  • LLDPE or Liner Low-Density Polyethylene is a substantially linear. It is known for higher tensile strength and great resistance than LDPE. It is flexible. LLDPE is used in making a stretch film, industrial packaging film, and bags.

 

  • HDPE has large “strength to density” ratio that can range from 0.93 to 0.97 g/cm3 or 970 kg/m3. It is tough and more opaque. HDPE is used in crates and boxes.

 

  • Polypropylene of PP has a density between 0.895 to 0.92 g/cm It is the most durable and higher thermal resistance abilities. It is an ideal food packaging for yogurt, sweets, and snacks.

 

Bottom Line:

So you must have understood the differences between PET, Polyolefin, and Polyethylene. Keep in mind that each packaging has its own pros and cons, although some may have more pros than cons or vice versa.

This comparison will also help you choose the right packaging for your product. What do you think? Please let us know by commenting below.

Plastic Shopping Bags, T-shirt Bags, & Grocery Bags

Custom printed plastic shopping bags for Kilroys
Our newest t-shirt shopping creation for the wonderful folks at Kilroys Market

Custom printed t-shirt bags, grocery bags and plastic shopping bags are an inexpensive way to advertise your business, while providing the most cost effective way for your clientele to transport the items they have just purchased from your business. The bag you see here are just a sampling of some of the newest bags we produced for our clients. Lets us make plastic bags for you too. Some are smaller local business like the one you see here for Kilroys Wonder Market. They are a very well known and loved food market featuring some of the most delicious foods prepared and sold anywhere in New Jersey. Kilroy’s Wonder Market is located at: 288 Rock Road, Glen Rock, New Jersey 07452 or call them at 201-444-5151. Please visit their website at: kilroyswondermarket

So, why did they choose Cannover Packaging, because we came up with a comprehensive plan to reduce the amount of bags being used. We increased the thickness of the t-shirt shopping bags by 50%. This means that the consumer no longer has to double bag their items. Giving the shoppers a thicker and stronger bag also means that these t-shirt bags are no longer “single use”. Personally speaking, we have always reused our t-shirt bags for waste baskets, in our vehicles and for lunch bags to name a few things. Our plastic bags with handles are quality made and reusable. I’d like to see how many environmentalists are reusing the bags that the loaf of bread came in. Or the small zip lock bags that held their pets treats. Conscientious and responsible users of recyclable bags are everyone’s best solution.

However, these bags have come under scrutiny lately as being the root of all pollution problems plaguing the planet. naturally, that is a ridiculous statement. As consumers we ask ourselves which is better for the environment using paper shopping bags, or plastic t-shirt shopping bags. Plastic t-shirt shopping bags have evolved in recent years. There is a effective new additive that can be put into HDPE plastic bags. It helps the polyethylene in the plastic biodegrade. This process takes place aerobically or anaerobically. With or without the presence of light the process works. Landfill conditions which are normally not conducive to bio-degradation, this action can occur. Paper will disintegrate or biodegrade when air and moisture are present, landfills do not have very much of that.

It is said that plastic T-shirt bags are the root cause of litter. In the past they did not degrade at all or were slow to degrade. Today plastic bags can be biodegradable. We do not have to get rid of a misunderstood and good product. A recent newspaper article in a national newspaper states that litter is down in San Francisco due to the ban on grocery store poly t-shirt bags. Is that true or are citizens more sensitive to their actions and acting responsible. High quality t-shirt bags are reusable and recyclable. The are other environmentally friendly packaging available to the public such as non- woven tote bags, cotton shopping bags, euro-tote bags to name a few.

Plastic t-shirt bags can be recycled to produce other plastic bags and products many times over. On the other hand, paper has a limited recyclable life span. The fibers deteriorate. At the end of papers recyclable life it can only be used in fillers. Paper and plastic are easy to recycle these days. Paper costs more and requires more energy to recycle. Plastic bags are ground up, extruded and in minutes are new plastic bags. I say we stop “picking on” the plastic t-shirt bags and start looking at all the other countless products we stuff into these bags at the market. Take a good hard look at all the items that are wrapped, packed, stuffed, labeled, bottled, lined and capped while filling your bags at your local market. How can a reusable plastic t-shirt bag be as bad as the non re-usable ietms? Custom printed t-shirt bags are good for everyone when handled and recycled properly. Additionally, we also make custom printed and plain reusable tote bags and canvas bags for retail locations. Just visit our website at anytime at www.isellpackaging.com

T-shirt Bags, Plastic Shopping & Grocery Bags

Custom printed t-shirt grocery bags and plastic shopping bags for Gemelli
Here is another new t-shirt shopping bag we recently made for the incredible Gimelli’s Restaurant

Custom printed t-shirt bags, grocery bags and plastic shopping bags are an inexpensive way to advertise your business, while providing the most cost effective way for your clientele to transport the items they have just purchased from your business. The bags you see here are just a sampling of some of the newest bags we produced for our clients. Some are smaller local business like the one you see here for Gimellis. They are a very well know and loved Italian Food Market featuring some of the most delicious foods prepared and sold anywhere on Long Island. Gimellis is located at: 115 E Main St, Babylon, NY (631) 321-4515. Please visit their website at: http://www.gemellis.com/home.aspx. They also have an amazing restaurant located next door.

So, why did they choose Cannover Packaging, because we came up with a comprehensive plan to reduce the amount of bags being used. We increased the thickness of the t-shirt shopping bags by 50%. This means that the consumer no longer has to double bag their items. Giving the shoppers a thicker and stronger bag also means that these t-shirt bags are no longer “single use”. Personally speaking, we have always reused our t-shirt bags for waste baskets, in our vehicles and for lunch bags to name a few things. I’d like to see how many environmentalists are reusing the bags that the loaf of bread came in. Or the small zip lock bags that held their pets treats. Conscientious and responsible users of recyclable bags are everyone’s best solution.

However, these bags have come under scrutiny lately as being the root of all pollution problems plaguing the planet. naturally, that is a ridiculous statement. As consumers we ask ourselves which is better for the environment using paper shopping bags, or plastic t-shirt shopping bags. Plastic t-shirt shopping bags have evolved in recent years. There is a effective new additive that can be put into HDPE plastic bags. It helps the polyethylene in the plastic biodegrade. This process takes place aerobically or anaerobically. With or without the presence of light the process works. Landfill conditions which are normally not conducive to bio-degradation, this action can occur. Paper will disintegrate or biodegrade when air and moisture are present, landfills do not have very much of that.

It is said that plastic T-shirt bags are the root cause of litter. In the past they did not degrade at all or were slow to degrade. Today plastic bags can be biodegradable. We do not have to get rid of a misunderstood and good product. A recent newspaper article in a national newspaper states that litter is down in San Francisco due to the ban on grocery store poly t-shirt bags. Is that true or are citizens more sensitive to their actions and acting responsible. High quality t-shirt bags are reusable and recyclable. The are other environmentally friendly packaging available to the public such as non- woven tote bags, cotton shopping bags, euro-tote bags to name a few.

Plastic t-shirt bags can be recycled to produce other plastic bags and products many times over. On the other hand, paper has a limited recyclable life span. The fibers deteriorate. At the end of papers recyclable life it can only be used in fillers. Paper and plastic are easy to recycle these days. Paper costs more and requires more energy to recycle. Plastic bags are ground up, extruded and in minutes are new plastic bags. I say we stop “picking on” the plastic t-shirt bags and start looking at all the other countless products we stuff into these bags at the market. Take a good hard look at all the items that are wrapped, packed, stuffed, labeled, bottled, lined and capped while filling your bags at your local market. How can a reusable plastic t-shirt bag be as bad as the non re-usable ietms? Custom printed t-shirt bags are good for everyone when handled and recycled properly.