ERIC
INDUSTRIES, INC.
5934 TREE
SHADOW TRAIL,
EMAIL -
SALES@PLASTICENVELOPES.COM
(972)248-8009 NATIONAL WATS(800)657-2474 FAX(800)243-7318
Subject:
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: PLASTIC vs. PAPER
Along with the increase in the environmental
awareness and concern has come the perception that somehow plastic is “bad” and
paper is “good”. In fact, there are many
ways in which plastic is environmentally superior to paper, and your knowledge
and understanding about these can be a powerful selling tool.
The data shown
on this chart has been used for the discussion which follows:
Plastics vs. other materials
A)
Weight B) Energy
to produce C)
Energy to recycle
Per package (oz.)
package originally (BTU)* package once (BTU)
Safeway
paper bag 2.02 2511 1444
Safeway
Plastic Bag 0.27 594 17
Pepsi
Glass Bottle 5.71 3104 2328
7UP
Aluminum Can 0.58 4361 694
7UP
Plastic Bottle 0.45 1006 28
*Source:
1989 Plastics Recycling Directory, Society Of the Plastics Industry
Myth #1 - It takes more energy to produce a
plastic envelope than one made of paper.
Fact: It
takes less than ¼ as much energy (in BTU’s) to produce a 10 x 13 plastic
envelope such as Eric Industries Flyer™ Plastic Mailer compared to a same size
paper envelope. Not only does this save our valuable supplies of coal, oil and
gas, but it also decreases atmospheric pollution from burning these products.
Remember also that the material from which plastic
is made is a petroleum by-product having no environmental impact in its
original form. On the other hand, paper is made by destroying trees, a valuable
natural resource which in addition to other qualities, remove the greenhouse
gas carbon dioxide and add oxygen to our atmosphere.
(Please turn page)
Myth #2 – Plastic is difficult, if not impossible to recycle
Fact: Nothing could be farther from the truth! Not only
are our plastic envelopes completely
recyclable but it takes less energy
to recycle them than paper envelopes. Consider these facts: It takes less than
1/10th as much energy to recycle a pound of plastic compared to a
pound of paper, but since a 10 x 13 FLYER™ Plastic Mailer weighs ¼ as much as
the same size paper envelope.
Myth #3 – When paper and plastic end up in landfills, paper
is preferable because of its biodegradability.
Fact: The advantage of paper over plastic in landfills is
not as clear-cut as it might seem. Other factors need to be taken into account.
For example, the additional weight of paper compared to plastic performing the
same function adds to the bulk of the landfill. Moreover, as paper decomposes
in landfills, carbon dioxide and methane are released into the atmosphere,
adding to the “greenhouse effect”. The very slow decomposition of plastic makes
the amount of these gases released negligible. Perhaps the biodegradability of
paper isn’t so desirable after all.
Being aware of the environmental benefits of FLYER™
Plastic Mailers, along with their many other desirable qualities such as
postage savings, unlimited graphic design flexibility and superior strength,
will make our plastic mailers the logical choice.
Bob Quat
Director
Sales & Marketing