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Positive Impacts of the Plastics Industry

Contributing to Modern Life

Plastic is an essential product in everyday life and is among the most commonly produced materials. The plastics industry is the 8th largest industry in the United States, contributing to over 1.70 million jobs.

Because of the many ways that plastics can be utilized, it has innumerable benefits to our everyday lives and global advancement.

  • Plastic is the most versatile material due to its light weight, flexibility, durability, and ability to guard against contamination.
  • Its ability to bend while remaining durable grants design versatility that can be used for almost any application – from packaging to home design and appliances, toys and crafts to safety equipment, and more.
  • Because plastic is flexible and cost effective,  it is the material of choice for most irrigation systems. Plastic pipes do not corrode, making it a great long-term alternative to metal pipes.
  • Plastic packaging enables companies to ship more product with less fuel and at a lower cost. This has allowed companies to ship more product in fewer trucks and loads.
  • Packaging weight could increase by as much as 400% without lightweight plastic packaging.
  • Plastic parts has saved over 650 gallons of gas over the lifetime of an average car.
  • Plastic is non-permeable and makes it a great component for developing medical-grade equipment and new, innovative applications.

Jobs Nationwide

Billion Dollars in Total Plastics Shipments

Jobs Dependent on Plastics Manufacturing

Contribution to Sustainability

Contrary to popular belief, plastic greatly contributes to waste reduction and energy efficiency. Overall, plastics are lighter and more efficient than many alternatives. Their lighter weight reduces their environmental footprint by decreasing waste, energy use and carbon emissions.

  • Plastic takes less energy to convert into a finished product than other materials.
  • Only 4% of US total energy consumption goes into the creation of plastic products.
  • Only 1.5% of total US energy consumption comes from product of plastics.
  • 53 billion kilowatt hours of electricity are saved annually due to improvements made possible by plastic applications.
  • Producing plastic products from recycled plastic reduces energy consumption by 66%.
  • Renewable energies, such as pipes, solar panels, and wind turbines, rely on plastics manufacturing.
  • PET plastic has the lowest carbon footprint compared to alternative materials like glass bottles.
  • Glass baby food jars produce 25% more greenhouse gases than plastic pots.
  • Plastic bottles use 46% fewer greenhouse gases and 55% less energy than glass bottles.

At Toner Plastics, we take pride in our environmental sustainability practices. When it comes to protecting our environment, we believe that properly managed manufacturing plays an important role. To learn more about Toner Plastics’ sustainability practices, please visit Our Impact On The World page.

For more information on the impacts of the plastics industry, visit The Plastics Industry Association at https://www.plasticsindustry.org/.

References: https://plastics.americanchemistry.com, https://www.plasticsindustry.org, http://www.thinkpipesthinkpvc.com.au/, https://www.waste360.co