You must agree: the plastic it is one of the products that people have the most contact with on a daily basis, and yet few understand in detail all its characteristics and properties. Thanks to this, he is sometimes the center of unnecessary controversies - and it is precisely these that we have come to clarify in this article! Keep reading and learn about the myths and truths about plastic.
Is there biodegradable plastic?
Biodegradables are those materials that undergo composting by microorganisms within 180 days. And yes, there are plastics that are part of that group! Known as bioplastics, they are of plant origin, generally - like the plastic of lactic polyacid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and mixtures of starch. And more: there are even some bioplastics of fossil origin. Among them are polybutylene terephthalate adipate (PBAT) and polycaprolactone (PCL).
Does all types of plastic have Bisphenol A?
The answer is simple and straightforward: no! Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a substance that can cause health damage if used incorrectly. However, contrary to what many believe, it is found only in one type of plastic: PCs (polycarbonates).
All the controversy surrounding Bisphenol A arose when studies proved that its presence in bottles was inadequate. But in 2012, the ANVISA banned BPA on some materials and, from there, products that contain this substance in their manufacture are considered safe.
Is the product made with reusable plastic inferior in quality?
There are still people who think so, but products made with plastic recycled do not have inferior quality. And you can understand this by analyzing the recycling process: after collecting the material (for domestic disposal or for the industrial disposal of defective parts, for example), additives are incorporated and, in some cases, raw materials are added so that the plastic recycled material has similar properties to virgin plastic.
In other words, the quality is the same and there is still a clear sustainable advantage: the material returns to the production chain, which can become bottles for cleaning products, garden hoses and fibers for carpets.
However, recycling still finds restrictions in some sectors. The application of plastic recycling is difficult in the food and beverage industry, for example, where only PET has the proper regulations to go through the process.
Is it possible to contract disease from contact with food in plastic packaging?
There is no such risk! Regardless of the temperature, there is no way to contract diseases through components in the plastic that are supposed to be able to migrate from packaging to food. This is because plastic products that are in contact with food must comply with current legislation to be legally marketed. And that legislation prohibits a number of substances that can cause health problems for consumers.
So, when buying a product plastic, it is important to note that it complies with the appropriate laws. O Alpfilm plastic film, for example, complies with the Brazil / Mercosur Legislation (Anvisa - RDC nº 17, 2008, and RDC nº 56, 2012) and European legislation (European Directive 2002/72 / EC).
The industry of plastic can participate in the circular economy?
For those who are not yet familiar with the term, the circular economy is a solution of the production chain to minimize the environmental impacts caused by humans. Through it, the linear industrial process is replaced by a cyclical logic in which the final destination is no longer garbage and waste is used to form new products. In this way, the circular economy combines the accelerated pace of technological transformations with a sustainable model, seeking solutions for two elements that, at first, seemed to be irreconcilable.
Although it is not yet a practice applied by most companies in the sector, the Brazilian Association of the Industry of the Plastic (ABIPLAST) has already announced that working towards the implementation of a large-scale circular economy is a priority for years to come. After all, it is necessary to adapt to the demands of the market (and the planet!).
Interesting, isn't it? And now that you’re inside the myths and the truths about the plastic, it is important to use this material consciously. And for that, count on Alpfilm, which, in addition to offering the plastic film with the best protection on the market, contributes to a world with less waste through the elasticity of the product, the rail-box mechanism and the refill system.
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