Issues Of Plastic Bag Tax Interest in a potential tax on plastic carrier bags has been aroused in the UK following the implementation of such a tax in the Republic of Ireland in 2002. There has also been in interest in Scotland, where a Member of the Scottish Parliament, Mike Pringle, is calling for legislation to obligate local authorities to introduce bag taxes. The BPF represents the whole plastics supply chain in the UK, including polymer producers, distributors and suppliers, additives suppliers, processors - including those involved in packaging, machinery suppliers and recyclers. This section of the BPF website endorses the views of PIFA (Packaging and Industrial Films Association). A SUMMARY OF BPF'S POSITION ON PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS & LITTER - A BACKGROUND TO THE ISSUE Are plastic carrier bags a litter problem? No, in the UK, plastic carrier bags are not a serious litter issue. Firstly, litter is a problem of social behaviour, and is not specific to any one material or product. For many years the BPF has been a member of ENCAMS (formerly known as the Tidy Britain Group) to support litter education programmes, surveys and campaigns. Consumers are encouraged to re-use and then dispose of their bags responsibly. Some stores now run bag recycling schemes. Secondly, plastic carrier bags are not a significant component of litter in the UK, studies have shown that bags probably make up less than 1% of litter, and that cigarette butts are by far the highest proportion of litter. Plastic bags are useful and provide a hygienic, odourless, waterproof, robust and convenient way of carrying goods. Because of their strength and durability plastics bags can be re-used time and time again, either for a similar purpose or a wide range of other uses. As the NOP survey, commissioned by DEFRA in 2000, amply illustrates, more than 80 per cent re-use their plastic carrier bags, a high re-use rate for consumer packaging. Why taxing plastic bags is a non-starter The BPF believes there would be little logic in taxing plastic carrier bags, as they are not a significant litter problem and they do not represent a significant environmental impact. Just 4% of crude oil consumption is used for all plastics, and only 2% for all films, of which plastic bags is a very small proportion. 85% of oil is burned as fuel or heating. Plastic bags are extraordinarily energy-efficient in manufacture, and more so than paper bags. Not only do they prevent waste of goods carried, but the embodied energy can be recovered either by recycling or via energy-from-waste systems. Plastic carriers are lightweight, convenient and popular. A tax would discriminate unjustly against plastics and would represent an anti-competitive move and a serious restraint on trade, damaging jobs and an industry already battling against over-regulation and under-investment.

2011-12-17

About High Tensile Bags Here is some information about High Tensile Bags Common materials used for 'High Tensile'(HT) bags: Low density polythene (LDPE) Linear low density polythene (LLDPE) Medium density polythene (MDPE) Recycled polythene Available Thickness: 80 Gauge(20microns) to 250 Gauge(62.5microns) Tolerances: Normally, 'High Tensile(HT) bags' in Great Britain should follow widely accepted industrial standards according to British Standard - see BS7344, 1990 Width: Plus or minus 3mm (0.125") or 2% whichever is greater Length: Plus or minus 6mm (0.25") or 2% whichever is greater Gauge: Plus or minus 10% Standards for 'High Tensile(HT) bags' to use for food contact and medical application: Food Contact – To use High Tensile(HT) bags inside European Union, in contact with food should comply with the relevant legislation on food contact including Great Britain. Great Britain: Statutory Instrument, 1998 No. 1376 and BPF-BIBRA (1995), Polymer Specification 4, Polyethylene EU: Commission Directive 90/128/EEC, 92/39/EEC, 93/9/EEC, 95/3/EEC and 96/11/EC, Section A. Example of a company comply with food contact: Polybags Limited Medical use – Similarly, to use High Tensile(HT) bags inside European Union, to produce containers for preparations for medico-pharmaceutical purposes should comply with the following regulation: European Pharmacopoeia - Monograph 3.1.3 "Polyolefin's" for medico-pharmaceutical purposes. The final responsibility for the decision of whether a material is fit for a particular application lies with the pharmaceutical firm. Example of a company comply with medical use: Polybags Limited

2011-12-17

Economic Crisis Influences Bag Industry Here is the information about the economic crisis. While data on Thursday showed that the number of U.S. clear bag workers filing new claims for jobless benefits rose in the latest week, economists were heartened by the first drop in the number of unemployed pvc tote bag people remaining on benefit rolls since January and the biggest decline since November 2001. Clear bag Investors were also comforted by the slowing pace of contraction in the Philadelphia Federal Reserve's regional gauge of manufacturing and a rise in expectations in the index to its highest since September 2003 - when the US economy was healing from its last recession. US government bonds fell in response to the data, with the benchmark yield also rising on worries about the pvc tote bag market's ability to handle $104 billion in debt to be offered in auctions next week. "With persisting concerns about supply worries in the US, investors are focusing on whether the Fed will increase its Treasury buying," said Tomohiro Nishida, a manager at Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking in Tokyo. A surge in long-term government bond yields in recent weeks showed clear bag markets fear huge sums of money poured into economies through drastic stimulus packaging bag to combat the recession will ultimately fuel inflation. A sharp run-up in pvc tote bag prices could force central banks to hike interest rates sooner than expected, potentially choking off a recovery. Bank of Japan minutes published on Friday revealed that one board member had told a rate review meeting in May that the nice industry co., ltd should monitor long-term interest rates as rising government bond issuance could make them more volatile. Do you have more information about the industry news which this economy effect much.

2011-12-17

Plastic Bags Limits Brings Benefit Plastic bags limits will have benefited us and protected the environment as well as saved energy!      Since June 1, 2008, all Chinese retailers, including supermarkets, department stores and groceries, no longer provided free plastic shopping bags. In addition, China banned ultra-thin plastic bags, or those thinner than 0.025 mm.     China is trying to cut the use of plastic bags in a bid to reduce energy consumption and polluting emissions.     The plastic bag limits could save about 2.4 million to 3.0 million tonnes of crude oil every year and cut 7.6 million to 9.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year, the NDRC said.     The NDRC said it would further implement the regulations and inspect execution of the ban nationwide.     Retailers who did not list shopping bags on the receipts or continued to provide free plastic shopping bags would be fined from 5,000 yuan (732.06 U.S. dollars) to 10,000 yuan, according to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

2011-12-17

Plastic Bag Ban Nowaday,customers have to pay for shopping bags in supermarkets, department stores and grocery stores across the country, following a ban on free plastic bags in retail outlets. As the "campaign against plastic bags" started today, many shoppers, especially senior ones, felt delighted with a return to the old days. "Back in the 50s, it was so nice shopping with a bamboo basket. Offering free plastic bags might be convenient for the customers, but in the long run, we'd better stop using them. " "I prefer cloth bags and I have made one myself. We used to carry cloth bags in the past. I refused to take plastic bags because they are often discarded everywhere. It looks bad." The campaign is considered a test for the shoppers who are used to having free plastic bags, especially young people, but many of them are adapting pretty well. "It's no trouble bringing a shopping bag. Just a problem of habit. It will be ok when people get used to it in a couple of days." "Everything takes time. The cloth bags are so much better than the plastic ones. " 30-year-old-or-so Wang Lei forgot to bring his shopping bag. He had to buy one at a nearby Ji'An Hypermarket in Beijing. "It's not a matter of money, but people's awareness of environmental protection. I will remember to bring my bag next time. Although it's not so convenient, it's our duty to follow the new rule. I totally understand this." The hypermarket offers fabric bags, priced at about three yuan each, and plastic ones at a cost of 2 to 5 jiao each according to their size. Li Jing is a sales supervisor. "Sixty to seventy of them have been sold this morning. Very very few people are using plastic bags today. " Plastic bags are a major contributor to white pollution in the country. If burned, they pollute the air; and if buried, they need over 100 years to decompose. So far, this has been the largest-scale environmental-friendly attempt by China's retail sector. 

2011-12-17

The Advantages of Flexible Packaging Flexible plastic packaging can still be resilient at hard times of plastic industry,showing its unique advantages.Today,not only does flexible packaging own the  composite substrate and guarantee the quality,but also its structure is developing in many directions,providing people with lots of convience,such as zipper bags,pockets and so on.The main advantage is as follows: 1.It can meet the protection requirements of commodity diversificationa and significantly increse the life of commodities.There are a variety of flexible packaging materials,which can either separately meet the need for water vapor, gas, grease, organic solvents and other substances barrier requirements, but also meet the anti-rust, anti-corrosion, anti-electromagnetic radiation, anti-static, anti-chemical, etc. as well as the sterile fresh, non-toxic pollution and other requirements. 2.The process of packaging is simple and easy to operate.The product manufacturers and  packaging manufacturer  need to purchase good quality  with specific features of flexible packaging materials and equipment.Using things aboved,they can produce the products easily.On the other hand,it is easy to master the technical requirement. Easy and conviecent to open and use the flexible packaging. 3.Have a strong commodity attractive, especially for sales of packaging requirements.  Flexible packaging materials and its products also enjoys the advantages of light texture, softness, comfort as well as more appropriated colorful printing, the information conveyed good effect so that it wins a  good reputation. 4.Save packaging cost and transportation cost. As most of the flexible packaging materials are  soft and lightweight film and sheets, packaging fitted, packaging materials with little weight.It  is very convenient for transportation and of course,it costs significantly lower than the use of rigid packaging products. 5.It has a clear comparative advantage in resources and energy consumption, environmental protection,ect. As for the variety and quantity of  packaging consumption ,flexible packaging has many unique advantages.It's convenient to reuse the waste packaging materials because the raw materials are  light,soft,easy to fold and easy to strap.Therefore,there are many useful methods for waste recyling.According to the characteristic of waste materials,it can be  taken to landfill respectively, incineration, decomposition, recycling ,ect.

2011-12-17

Packaging Label Demand For companies and manufacturers wanting the flexibility and cost effectiveness of printing their own colour labels in-house, when and where they are needed, and only what you need, the VP485 can produce high quality customised product and packaging labels required for branding, promotions or special occasions. It is also ideal for importing and exporting, where label specific regionalization is required for products sold within foreign or ‘niche’ markets.  The VP485 enables companies to respond instantly to promotional opportunities or changing market trends with customised marketing messages in lightning fast turnaround times. The unit prints full colour labels (including images, text and barcodes) utilising the advanced and proven inkjet technology from Hewlett Packard at high resolution print quality and full bleed printing capability.    With the VIP Color Technologies VP485 you can economically produce short runs of colour labels avoiding the cost, storage and waste associated with traditional pre-printed labels. Unlike other models, theVP485 is designed with large separate ink tanks to significantly reduce consumable and printing costs. Printing up to twice the speed of its rivals, this lightweight printer punches well above its weight in terms of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

2011-12-17

Green Packaging Machine Project Underway  In a bid to reduce the amount of plastic used in the sealing of food produce such as pasta, rice and crisps, researchers at Bath University, England, are leading a project to build a new high-speed packaging machine. By developing a more efficient way of sealing the packaging, they hope to reduce the amount of material used by about 13%, leading to savings of thousands of tons of landfill waste. The team will look at existing processes used to mechanically fill and seal packaging and use this information to design a new packing machine which uses less plastic and recycled materials. The two year project is being funded by the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Greener packaging drives have also led to the launch of a new symbol this week to denote packaging that is suitable for composting at home. The logo will work alongside the current seedling logo already in use to show packaging that can be composted in various facilities. The logo is being designed by the UK’s independent advisory board on plant based renewables, the National Non-Food Crops Centre, the Association for Organics Recycling (AFOR) and government advisory group, the Green Alliance. Other recent innovations within the UK food packaging sector include Cowan London’s redesigns for a range of olive snacks called Oloves. The snacks, packaged in a stand-up pouch have been manufactured using silver laminate. The pouches are produced by Oloves owner Brand Stand at facilities in Sevilee, Spain. The new packages will be available from retailers Asda and WH Smith stores. Innovations were also awarded at the Cans of the Year 2008 competition for global companies. Chocolate and biscuit makers Godiva also won an award for its biscuit tin designed by Huber Decorative in the “Fancy Cans” category. 

2011-12-17

How to make retail bags? Do you feel puzzled about how retail bags are made?Please take several minutes to read the passage below,then you will get the answer!       Presentation & Retail bags are mainly made from high clarity polypropylene or cellophane. However, polypropylene have the advantage of being less expensive than cellophane (cello) bags.    Polypropylene film is either made under BOPP (biaxially oriented PP) or Cast film extrusion process. The major portion of this is Biaxially Oriented PP (BOPP) film, however cast films are an important segment as well.    Bi-Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) refers to the manufacture of polypropylene films using an orienting system. BOPP films are manufactured using a tenter frame sequential process or the double bubble process, in which a polypropylene (PP) film is oriented in two directions (machine and transverse directions). BOPP films are typically used for packaging snacks, pasta, and confectionary goods, and as collation wrap for multi-packs.   The main features of BOPP films are improved stiffness, high tensile strength, excellent optics and good water vapour barrier properties. BOPP films range from 15 to 50 microns and are most commonly 15 to 30 microns. BOPP films can be monolayer or co-extruded structures, and transparent, opaque, or metallized. The films use mainly homopolymer PP and random copolymer PP.      The ca t film process involves the extrusion of polymers melted through a slot or flat die to form a thin, molten sheet or film. This film is "pinned" to the surface of a chill roll (typically water-cooled and chrome-plated) by a blast of air from an air knife or vacuum box. The film quenches immediately and then has its edges slit prior to winding.    Cast film extrusion offers better gauge control and gauge consistency, which are critical for thin films below 1 mil (25 microns). Lastly, optical properties such as gloss and haze percentage are typically better for any given material when produced on cast film However, it has the disadvantage of higher scrap due to edge-trim, and very little film orientation in the cross-direction.      Cast films are used in a variety of markets and applications, including stretch/cling films, personal care films, bakery films, and high clarity films.

2011-12-17

Advantages of Polypropylene bags/film Cheaper than cellophane - Polypropylene bags are great value for money! And a better alternative to Cellophane bags Excellent Clarity - Polypropylene is typically used in applications where maximum clarity is desired, such as candy pack aging, greeting cards, art prints, etc. Moisture and grease resistant Preserves freshness and taste of the content Available as Food use approved Best in high temperature resistance Stiffer and stronger - Polypropylene bags feel stronger and stiffer in a same thickness comparison. Also offers high temperature resistance - does not start to soften until about 270 degree Fahrenheit

2011-12-17