ABOUT RESOURCES CAREERS CONTACT GO FOOD MEDICAL RETAIL CUSTOM SUSTAINABILITY Home› About› Sustainability Living sustainable is not just something we say, it is our company vision. We strive to be an industry leader in sustainability and reducing our overall carbon footprint by implementing a variety of energy saving programs, water recycling, and working with local governments and municipalities. Our sustainability goals don’t stop with just our facilities. We have been using recycled PET since the early 90’s with key retail partners. In 2011 we introduced our EcoStar® material that is made from 75% or more, post-consumer recycled PET. We purchase post-consumer recycled PET bottles and thermoforms from material recovery facilities (MRF’s) to help keep over 1 billion PET bottles from going to the landfills each year. By diverting these bottles from landfills, we are able to close the loop and create sustainable results. EcoStar® Energy Saving Water Recycling Government OXYSTAR™ When creating our custom food packaging, our number one challenge is figuring out how to make the product last longer. Direct oxygen contact with perishable foods has been a problem for food manufactures since the beginning of time, but not no more. Introducing the very first PET recyclable barrier material that can be designated with the #1 recyclable symbol, OxyStar™.OxyStar is an application that utilizes an oxygen scavenging agent to find and slow the oxygen to keep your product lasting longer. Most barrier solutions today are classified as a #7 recycle symbol that cannot be put back into the recycling stream, but not OxyStar. Using PET with our OxyStar barrier material allows OxyStar to be classified as a #1 recycle symbol. This classification allows the packaging to be put back into the recycling stream to be used over again. OxyStar is FDA compliant for direct food contact to ensure your products meet all quality guidelines to keep your customers safe. Creating a package that gives your products a better way to keep your products fresher for longer, increases product shelf life while making a sustainable impact is how we make simply better packaging. First #1 Recyclable Barrier Package Increased Shelf Life Barrier Packaging Helps Block Oxygen WHAT IS OXYSTAR™ OxyStar is combined with our PET material using a patent pending extrusion process. As a result of our patent pending process, we have created a PET material that incorporates an oxygen scavenging agent in the food contact layer. PET has a naturally low OTR (oxygen transmission rate) and this construction slows down the flow of oxygen molecules through the package from the outside. Once the scavenger agent finds an oxygen molecule, it attaches to it and binds the oxygen within the sidewall of the thermoformed package. This process helps keep oxygen away from the contained food products to ensure they stay fresh for a longer period. WHY USE OXYSTAR™ OxyStar is going to disrupt the barrier packaging market. As the first barrier material with a #1 resin identification symbol, it is not only a way to keep your products safe from oxygen ingress, but it can be recycled and used again. OxyStar works well with products requiring a high oxygen barrier such as meats, cheeses, nuts and cut fruits with high vitamin C content. All thermoformed packaging that uses our OxyStar material are compatible with PET recycling and reuse processes to help support your sustainability goals. LEARN MORE CLOSED LOOP PROCESS We are proud to say that we complete a closed loop process when creating our EcoStar packaging. Simply look for the #1 inside the recycling symbol to determine if the item is PET or not. All PET bottles and thermoforms can be used in our process, which are used to make our EcoStar post-consumer recycled PET plastic sheet. Step 1: PET flake is extruded into our EcoStar plastic sheet, used for food, medical and retail packaging. Step 2: Packaging made using our EcoStar material is then shipped to distributors and customers across the United States to be used for food, medical and retail products. Step 3: Consumers use food, medical and retail products every day. Once they are done using them, they can simply toss the EcoStar packaging into their recycling bin. Step 4: Recycling bins filled with EcoStar and other PET plastic are placed curbside to be collected by local recycling companies. Step 5: Local recycling companies then process the curbside collected PET plastic and is made into post-consumer PET bales. These bales are then sent to Placon in Madison, WI to be made into EcoStar post-consumer PET packaging. Step 6: Once the post-consumer PET bales arrive at Placon, they are cleaned, sorted and made into clean PET flake. SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT We opened our Madison Wisconsin recycling facility 2011, with the vision to promote a sustainability message and create sustainable packaging solutions in the food, retail and medical marketspace. Today, our facility recycles 83 lbs. of inbound PET bottles and thermoforms per minute. That is equal to diverting over 120,000 lbs. of PET containers from landfills each day. Per year, this adds up to over 1 billion containers recycled – that is enough PET water bottles to wrap around the earth 4 TIMES. Each ton of plastic recycled means saving 3.8 barrels of oil, which means we are able to conserve more than 75,000 barrels per year based on the amount of PET we recycle and remake into usable thermoformed packaging. BOTTLES RECYCLED THIS YEAR 0 , 9 9 7 , 5 9 4 , 6 2 4 Number is approximate based on typical recycling rate. CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE As a leader in sustainable packaging we want you to know the sustainability impact are making by using our packaging. Our Fresh n’ Clear® Bowls and Trays, GoCubes®, reFresh® products, and our RPET-F75 PET material have been certified by SCS Global Services as having a minimum of 75% post-consumer recycled content in these products materials. For any product that is made using 75% post-consumer PET you will see the SCS Global Services logo to signify this claim. SCS Global Services (SCS) has been providing global leadership in third-party quality, environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for three decades. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, power generation retail, and more. SCS is accredited to provide services under a wide range of nationally and internationally recognized certification programs. Consistent with its mission, SCS is a chartered benefit corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. VIEW CERTIFICATES YOUR IMPACT Throughout our website, you will see on our stock food and retail pages, a line item in the product specification section that indicates bottles per unit and bottles per case. The listed value represents the quantity of plastic bottles and thermoforms that are being redirected from landfills to make that product. We have taken the average weight of one standard water bottle (9.9 grams) to emphasize the sustainable impact you are making with your packaging choice and providing you with information to share with your customers. MAKING SUSTAINABLE CHOICES Creating sustainable impact comes down to individuals, businesses and local community members choosing to make the environment their priority. At Placon, we encourage everyone to choose to recycle. By knowing more about the different types of plastics, you can understand how your packaging choice makes a difference. A few things you can do include: PET is the most widely recycled plastic type and accepted globally. Spread the word and help us close the loop by ensuring PET products return to the recycling stream where they can be repurposed into new products. When shopping, look for our EcoStar logo that can be found on food and retail packaging across North America. This logo embodies our commitment to keeping PET out of landfills and encourages all consumers to recycle. Look for the #1 identification code. The #1 recycling symbol indicates that the container is made of PET, which is the most globally recycled plastic today. PET can easily be recycled by discarding it in a recycling receptacle. WHAT IS PET? PET is an acronym for Polyethylene Terephthalate and is best known as the clear plastic used for water and soda bottles. Globally recognized as a safe lightweight and flexible material, PET is also 100% recyclable. In fact, PET is the most widely recycled plastic in the world, with recycling rates increasing each year. If you are not sure which plastics are made from PET, all you have to do is look at the resin identification code on the bottom of the container. If it is made of PET, you will see a symbol featuring the number “1”, surrounded by the three chasing arrows that indicate recyclability. PET USES Both virgin and recycled PET are used to package a wide range of products. These products range from beverages, food, cosmetics and toys. PET is also a common component found in fiber or fabric applications such as, carpeting, clothing and sleeping bags where it is commonly referred to as “polyester”. PET is used worldwide, therefore it has a high value and is particularly important to recycle. By taking purchased curbside collected bales of PET bottles and thermoforms, we are able to keep this material out of landfills, so it can be used in making new packaging for consumers to use and enjoy. RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODES DESCRIPTION Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE): PET is clear, tough, and has good gas and moisture barrier properties. This resin is commonly used in beverage bottles and many injection-molded consumer product containers. Cleaned, recycled PET flakes and pellets are in great demand for spinning fiber for carpet yarns, producing fiberfill and geotextiles. Nickname: Polyester. PROPERTIES Clear and optically smooth surfaces for oriented films and bottles Excellent barrier to oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide High impact capability and shatter resistance Excellent resistance to most solvents PRODUCT APPLICATIONS Plastic bottles for soft drinks, water, juice, sports drinks, beer, mouthwash, catsup and salad dressing. Food jars for peanut butter, jelly, jam and pickles. In addition to packaging, PET’s major uses are textiles, monofilament, carpet, strapping, films, and engineering moldings. DESCRIPTION High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): HDPE is used to make many types of bottles. Unpigmented bottles are translucent, have good barrier properties and stiffness, and are well suited to packaging products with a short shelf life such as milk. Because HDPE has good chemical resistance, it is used for packaging many household and industrial chemicals such as detergents and bleach. PROPERTIES Excellent resistance to most solvents Higher tensile strength compared to other forms of polyethylene Relatively stiff material with useful temperature capabilities PRODUCT APPLICATIONS Bottles for milk, water, juice, cosmetics, shampoo, dish and laundry detergents, and household cleaners. Bags for groceries and retail purchases. Cereal box liners. Reusable shipping containers. In addition to packaging, HDPE’s major uses are in injection molding applications, extruded pipe and conduit, plastic wood composites, and wire and cable covering. DESCRIPTION Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl): In addition to its stable physical properties, PVC has good chemical resistance, weatherability, flow characteristics and stable electrical properties. The diverse slate of vinyl products can be broadly divided into rigid and flexible materials. PROPERTIES High impact strength, brilliant clarity, excellent processing performance. Resistance to grease, oil and chemicals. PRODUCT APPLICATIONS Rigid packaging applications include blister packs and clamshells. Flexible packaging uses include bags for bedding and medical, shrink wrap, deli and meet wrap and tamper resistance. In addition to packaging, PVC’s major uses are rigid applications such as pipe, siding, window frames, fencing, decking and railing. Flexible applications include medical products such as blood bags and medical tubing, wire and cable insulation, carpet backing, and flooring. DESCRIPTION Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE is used predominately in film applications due to its toughness, flexibility and relative transparency, making it popular for use in applications where heat sealing is necessary. LDPE also is used to manufacture some flexible lids and bottles as well as in wire and cable applications. Includes Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). PROPERTIES Excellent resistance to acids, bases and vegetable oils Toughness, flexibility and relative transparency (good combination of properties for packaging applications requiring heat-sealing) PRODUCT APPLICATIONS Bags for dry cleaning, newspapers, bread, frozen foods, fresh produce, and household garbage. Shrink wrap and stretch film. Coatings for paper milk cartons and hot and cold beverage cups. Container lids. Toys. Squeezable bottles (e.g., honey and mustard). In addition to packaging, LDPE’s major uses are in injection molding applications, adhesives and sealants, and wire and cable coverings. DESCRIPTION Polypropylene (PP): PP has good chemical resistance, is strong, and has a high melting point making it good for hot-fill liquids. This resin is found in flexible and rigid packaging, fibers, and large molded parts for automotive and consumer products. PROPERTIES Excellent optical clarity in biaxially oriented films and stretch blow molded containers Low moisture vapor transmission Inertness toward acids, alkalis and most solvents PRODUCT APPLICATIONS Containers for yogurt, margarine, takeout meals, and deli foods. Medicine bottles. Bottle caps and closures. Bottles for catsup and syrup. In addition to packaging, PP’s major uses are in fibers, appliances and consumer products, including durable applications such as automotive and carpeting. DESCRIPTION Polystyrene (PS): PS is a versatile plastic that can be rigid or foamed. General purpose polystyrene is clear, hard and brittle. It has a relatively low melting point. Typical applications include protective packaging, foodservice packaging, bottles, and food containers. PS is often combined with rubber to make high impact polystyrene (HIPS) which is used for packaging and durable applications requiring toughness, but not clarity. PROPERTIES Excellent moisture barrier for short shelf life products Excellent optical clarity in general purpose form Significant stiffness in both foamed and rigid forms Low density and high stiffness in foamed applications Low thermal conductivity and excellent insulation properties PRODUCT APPLICATIONS Food service items, such as cups, plates, bowls, cutlery, hinged takeout containers (clamshells), meat and poultry trays, and rigid food containers (e.g., yogurt). These items may be made with foamed or non-foamed PS. Protective foam packaging for furniture, electronics and other delicate items. Packing peanuts, known as “loose fill.” Compact disc cases and aspirin bottles. In addition to packaging, PS’s major uses are in agricultural trays, electronic housings, cable spools, building insulation, video cassette cartridges, coat hangers, and medical products and toys. DESCRIPTION Other (OTHER): Use of this code indicates that a package is made with a resin other than the six listed above, or is made of more than one resin and used in a multi-layer combination. PROPERTIES Dependent on resin or combination of resins PRODUCT APPLICATIONS Three- and five-gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and catsup bottles. Oven-baking bags, barrier layers, and custom packaging. Recycling may not be available in all areas. Check to see if plastics recycling is available in your community. Source: https://plastics.americanchemistry.com/Plastic-Resin-Codes-PDF/ ABOUT About Us Our Story Sustainability Innovation Collaboration Careers © 2021 Placon. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Site Map PRODUCTS Food Medical Retail Custom RESOURCES Media Certifications News Patents Questions Definitions CONTACT US 800.541.1535 info@placon.com 6096 McKee Road Madison, WI 53719