The Benefits of Recycling Plastic, from a Business Perspective
The plastic recycling process has become part of the standard operations of a variety of industries and companies, since not only is it positive for the environment, but it also makes good business sense from a financial standpoint. In fact, many companies are incorporating plastic granulators into their operations to fully take advantage of this.
Because of plastic recycling’s widespread status, we decided to write a post around companies we’ve come across who are doing amazing things in crafting recycled plastic products into new materials.
1. Rothy’s – This San Francisco-based footwear company offers up a variety of styles, including some which have been crafted with recycled PET plastic yarn as part of a 3D knitting procedure. The soles of these shoes are touted as being carbon free, while the outsoles utilize recycled materials as well. Head over to their site for some stylish additions to your wardrobe.
2. Hamilton Perkins Collection – The Earth Bags from the Hamilton Perkins Collection are made with 100% recycled plastic products, in this case plastic bottles, which help to reduce the impact these containers are having on our environment. Additionally, the interior lining is made from materials from vinyl billboards. Other items within their product line include:
- Clothing
- Wallets
- Backpacks
3. Green Toys – Here’s a fascinating use of recycled plastic products – children’s toys. With so many toys being made from plastics due to the material’s versatility, shaping possibilities, and durability, this is definitely a market ripe for recycling potential. All of Green Toys’ products are made from 100% recycled milk jugs, and these products range from trucks to bath toys to beach toys to baby-safe items.
4. Nike – Major companies aren’t above getting in on the impactful recycling game, as seen by Nike’s use of yarn made from recycled plastic bottles to create soccer kits for the USA Men’s and Women’s National Soccer teams. Nike estimates that they’ve utilized over 3 billion plastic bottles in their efforts – quite the feat and an amazing example of how to recycle plastics. Some other inspiring examples of their sustainability have been utilized in product such as:
5. Pilot – Pen company Pilot has created an interesting program called Bottle 2 Pen which transfers the material from a plastic bottle into 2-3 pens each. The gel roller pens are crafted out of 89% post-consumer recycled bottles while the ballpoint pens are crafted out of 83% recycled bottles. To highlight the heritage of these pens, Pilot has designed the plastic casings to have ridges similar to those seen on many plastic bottles.
6. Preserve – This company, specializing in kitchen, bath, and tabletop products, strives to make an effort in the recycling world by collecting bottle caps from schools and Whole Foods stores for use in toothbrushes and razors. This is all done through their Gimme 5 program – a program that assists in the recycling process by:
- Sorting plastics received from Whole Foods stores
- Washing and melting said plastic for proper use
- Pelletizing and testing the materials
- Using appropriate plastics for upcycled Preserve products
7. Freeride – This trendy company specializes in skateboards, with a variety of models containing decks made from 100% recycled plastic. And on top of this, because of the company’s dedication to recycling and the environment, the packaging for these skateboards is minimal and is constructed of recycled cardboard.
8. Blue Planet Eyewear – The sunglasses made by this eyewear company not only feature recycled plastic frames, but also:
- Utilize reclaimed metal for the glasses’ plating
- Contain lead-free paint
- Are manufactured without utilizing toxic metals
- Are stored in cases made out of post-consumer materials.
That’s a lot of environmental consideration in just one product!
9. ReFleece – Providing stylish iPad covers and other assorted textile-based accessories, this company is doing their part for the environment. The signature iPad cover line they offer is composed of post-consumer fleece jacket materials and recycled PET plastics. No dyes are utilized in the manufacturing process, so they’re able to keep their carbon footprint quite small.
10. West Paw – For animal lovers out there who are also eco-conscious, this company has some great options. Give their pet Bumper Beds a look because the soft fiber filling is made from recycled plastic bottles. Organic cotton is also incorporated into their design meaning you’ll make an additional environmental impact by selecting this model over other brands. Another way the company goes green in production is by utilizing the following sustainable materials in the creation of their dog toys:
- Zogoflex, a recycled plastic blend
- IntelliLoft Stuffing and Fabric, an eco-fiber
- Hemp, which produces more fiber per acre than cotton
11. FabHabitat – With a dedication to sustainability, this décor company is doing some great things for the environment. They offer items produced from a variety of reclaimed and recycled materials, including a number of rugs that are manufactured with tightly-woven recycled plastic straws. The plastic base makes them resistant to mildew and a snap to keep clean!
12. Aladdin – This company specializes in a variety of containers for drinks including:
- Mugs
- Cups
- Tumblers
- Water bottles
A number of their products, such as their to-go mugs, are made from 100% recycled polypropylene plastic, because if you’re in the plastics industry it just makes good sense to incorporate recycling into your operations.
13. Method – Method is a company specializing in the production of cleaning products, so a lot of plastics are utilized for their containers. Since the company founders are dedicated to sustainability, Method began crafting soap bottles out of a blend of post-consumer recycled plastic along with recovered ocean plastic. What a great way to help the environment!
14. G-Star Raw – Here’s a company that really knows how to recycle plastics. In one of the most unusual entries on this list, this company has dedicated itself to producing a line of denim products made partially from recovered ocean plastics. Once the material is shredded to fibers it’s used in the production of items such as:
- Shirts
- Hoodies
- Jeans
- Bags
Your next wardrobe choice might just have had an interesting journey before reaching you!
15. Trex – This company has a focus on being eco-friendly as seen in their composite decks, which feature a blend of 95% recycled wood and plastic materials. Their plastic material comes from numerous sources, including paper towel wrappers, dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, shopping bags, and newspaper sleeves. And each Trex deck contains 140,000 recycled plastic bags—that’s really impressive!
16. Girlfriend Collective – This athleisure company produces clothing using ethical processes and sustainable materials. For instance, their line of leggings is made from a polyester that is derived from recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. Other products sold by this company include:
- Shirts made from Cupro, a waste fabric from the cotton industry
- Shorts made from recycled nylon
17. Allbirds – This shoe company has made a name for itself by using recycled wool and sugar cane in its production of sneakers, as well as recycled cardboard for its packaging. Taking this initiative one step further, Allbirds also produces their shoe laces out of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
18. FabHabitat – In an effort to reduce their overall carbon footprint, FabHabitat specializes in the creation of area rugs, made completely from recycled PET. Their product line stretches across the home décor sector, including items such as:
- Storage baskets
- Indoor and outdoor pillows
- Dinnerware
- Wall art
19. Purakai – This California-based apparel company designs a variety of shirts from recycled materials. In fact, each shirt they produce saves on average 6.5 20-oz. plastic bottles from ending up in a landfill or ocean. The plastic also contributes to the coloring in each shirt, which saves 18 quarts of water compared to what would have been used during a traditional dyeing process.
20. Architec – Help out the environment through your kitchenware by cooking with Architec’s sustainable materials. Their line of EcoSmart products are made from recycled plastics, bamboo and flax husk, and just one of their cutting board keeps 20 plastic bottles out of the ocean. Other kitchen products they create using eco-friendly materials include:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Serving trays
- Serving spoons
Follow Our News Page for More Insights
If you’d like to get more info on the benefits of recycling plastics, along with updates about the plastics industry, be sure to follow the Shini USA news page. We regularly post Q&A’s, insights on products, conference information, recent industry innovations and more.
And if you’re in need of plastic processing equipment for your facility, be sure to contact our team today!