Recycled Plastic Agricultural and Industrial Supplies: Sustainable Harvest Totes, Produce Lugs, and Transport Packaging
In the current corporate environment, many businesses are positioning environmental sustainability as one of the leading cornerstones of their business practices. Industries like agriculture, aquaculture, dairy farming, and construction increasingly seek to optimize their supply chain to reduce their environmental impact and foster a positive reputation. Here at Thunderbird Plastics, we provide our clients with a straightforward path toward sustainable business practices with our offerings of recycled and recyclable harvest and transport containers. Our high-quality, reusable, and food-safe HDPE plastic containers are returnable to us at the end of their useful life. We will use the recycled material to make new products over and over. By eliminating the single-use analog of many industrial supplies, our clients can take pride in their business practices’ environmental and economic sustainability.
Our Recycling Process at Thunderbird Plastics: Landfills and Oceans Preserved
Old plastic lugs are washed and chopped up into plastic flakes that will be used to make new products.
Here at Thunderbird Plastics, our commitment to sustainability is at the heart of our operations. All of our products are 100% recyclable when returned to us. The Thunderbird recycling process is a highly efficient and carefully managed operation that we take pride in. Known in the industry as the “chop-and-wash” process, this mechanical recycling process involves a washing method that removes all contaminants resulting in clean plastic flakes. These plastic flakes can be melted down and injected into a mould to make new products. While we perform the cleaning process with the strictest standards, we reserve the recycled material for non-food grade products. We believe that virgin plastic does have a place in our supply chain, and to protect the safety of our clients, all our products used for handling food are made from new material. Our heavy-duty plastic bins used for farming, our harvesting lugs, and our berry trays are examples of food-grade products made with virgin plastic. Our recycled plastic agricultural supplies include items such as our plastic pallets, and our fresh pack crate (upon request of recycled plastic).
In addition to our recycling efforts, Thunderbird Plastics is also actively involved in community initiatives. This includes the recycling of roll carts for the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, and Surrey at no cost. We are proud to support our local community in the effort to become more sustainable.
The Science of Plastic Degradation
While versatile and durable, plastics have a limited lifespan. Over time, items such as plastic bins used for crop storage and fruit and vegetable harvesting lugs may degrade after exposure to UV radiation or general wear and tear. However, the engineers at Thunderbird Plastics understand that the product reaching the end of its useful life does not mean that the item is destined for the city’s landfill.
When we recycle our products at the end of their useful life, we use the material to make new products like our recycling containers.
Through our recycling process, items previously used for food storage will be recycled into non-food storage plastic items such as canning sleeves for construction and commercial recycling and garbage bins.
The high-density polyethylene used for these items can be melted down and repurposed multiple times without significant loss of quality due to its thermoplastic qualities. By choosing the recycled and recyclable versions of fish and farm trays and other industrial containers made from thermoplastics, many industries can boast about their sustainable approach to plastic usage.
The Appearance and Quality of Recycled Plastic Agricultural Supplies vs. Virgin Plastic Agricultural Supplies
While virgin plastic has a pristine appearance, recycled plastic offers a more sustainable option without compromising on quality.
Virgin plastic flakes compared to plastic flakes from washed and chopped plastic products.
Thanks to strong advancements in recycling technology and by using additives, we have been able to improve the strength, flexibility, and resistance to wear and tear of our recycled plastic.
The Economic Benefits of Using Recycled Plastic Products
For industries that require large quantities of plastic materials, choosing recycled products for their operations can bring numerous economic benefits. We as the producers of these products save on material costs which are passed down to our clients. However, we want to emphasize to our clients the economic benefits of an excellent reputation. Any marketing professional will understand that the most successful businesses achieve their success by selling products and services associated with positive emotions. Modern consumers are intelligent and seek to patronize businesses that can make them feel positive through a feel-good business story. The team at Thunderbird Plastics is proud to help our clients tell a story of sustainability and ethical business practices. They can position themselves as sustainability leaders, enjoying increased customer retention, and opportunities for new B2B partnerships and collaborations.
Conclusion
Our canning sleeves for construction are an example of a Thunderbird Plastics product made from recycled materials.
When agriculture, aquaculture, dairy farming, and construction industries choose recycled plastic industrial supplies, they become sustainability role models for their entire industry.
As today’s educated consumers continue to prioritize the environment, the demand for recycled and recyclable materials will only grow. Thunderbird Plastics is proud to lead the way in the industrial and agricultural supply sphere by offering high-quality recycled products with a minimal environmental impact.
Whether it’s custom plastic moulding services for specialized products or reusable plastic containers for everyday use, Thunderbird Plastics has the solutions to meet your needs. If you are ready to make a difference, you can explore Thunderbird Plastic’s range of sustainable offerings and contact sales at 888-78T-BIRD.
