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THE HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF PLASTIC
For decades, plastic products have helped provide clean, healthy and efficient living environments for
millions of people. Everything from plastic bags to beverage bottles, from plastic cups to park benches
contributes to an endless list of plastic products whose benefits are immeasurable.
Those benefits come at a cost, however, in terms of the natural resources needed to produce them
and the environmental impact during their lifecycle. According to the latest data from the U.S.
Department of Energy
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:
In the United States, plastics are made from liquid petroleum gases (LPG), natural gas liquids
(NGL), and natural gas. LPG are by-products of petroleum refining, and NGL are removed from
natural gas before it enters transmission pipelines.
In 2010, about 191 million barrels of LPG and NGL were used in the United States to make
plastic products in the plastic materials and resins industry, equal to about 2.7% of total U.S.
petroleum consumption.
In addition to petroleum, natural gas is used to manufacture plastic materials and resins. In
2010, about 412 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas were used to make plastic materials and
resins, equal to about 1.7% of total U.S. natural gas consumption.
Electricity is also used to manufacture plastics. In 2010, about 65 billion kilowatt-hours were
used, equal to about 1.7% of total U.S. electricity consumption.
Accordingly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and brand
owners alike are encouraging the development of innovations that reduce petrochemical usage in the
manufacturing process, and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gasses, and regional
air pollutants (NOx, SOx, and particulates) over a product’s life cycle.
High-density polyethylene resin (HDPE) is used in the manufacture of plastic bags and film products
for flexible packaging. Since the film used to make plastic bags (including trash bags, can liners, t-shirt
sacks, diaper film, and packaging) accounts for 50% of the polyethylene market, there has been
considerable focus on trying to produce a “greener” plastic.
CALCIUM CARBONATE REDUCES THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF PLASTIC
Calcium carbonate (CaCO
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), the main mineral found in limestone, marble, and chalk, is found in all
parts of the world. It is the main component in common shellfish and snails, as well as in eggshells. It
is commonly used medicinally as a calcium supplement, a filler in many pharmaceuticals, and as an
antacid. Calcium carbonate is also a popular additive in the manufacture of plastic products, including
injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion coating. This analysis focuses on its use in HDPE film.
The cost savings and performance benefits of displacing a portion of plastic with calcium carbonate
has been well understood for many years. The characteristics of calcium carbonate concentrates
allow polymers to heat and cool faster, resulting in significant energy savings through improved
productivity, higher outputs, and faster film conversion. HDPE film made with calcium carbonate also
offers substantial environmental benefits by reducing petrochemical and energy usage during the
manufacturing process, and by minimizing the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas impact of
finished plastic products.
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U.S. Department of Energy, http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=34&t=6