U.S. Food and Drug Administration used to call plastic as “food contact substances,” thereby implicating that plastic can contaminate your food and drink. Thus, the term “you are what you eat”. When you eat and drink food that was stored in plastic, it’s tantamount to eating plastic. Now, they call it “indirect food additives” to cleanse its name of the implication of contamination.

Photo by Pulpolux !!!
While plastic has remained to be ubiquitous, there is continuous debate with regards to chemicals leached to the liquid that a plastic water tank contains. The change in terms may be a semantic deception. But does the migration of chemicals from the container to the water really take place? If yes, is the government taking steps to put a stop to this?

What’s Up with Plastic?

There is indeed a difference between water that is stored in a plastic water tank from those that you get directly from the faucet. When testing was done among plastic jugs, 8 out of 10 polycarbonate containers were found to have leached BPA of bisphenol –A into the water from .5 parts per billion to 11 parts per billion. However, this range is so small that it shows to have no significance at all in the grander scheme of things. US federal regulations for testing BPA and other chemicals have not even come anywhere near the parts per billion ranges. Even in FDA laboratories, their researchers have found that migration of these substances happen within acceptable range. But if you want to be extra careful about your safety, you may disregard containers with BPA. They are the ones with the #7 sign.

What’s Up with Steel?

This is why plastic water containers are more widely accepted and used than steel or metal. Steel, being the most commonly used of all metals, can corrode in moist atmospheres and other climate conditions. Unlike plastic, steel and other metal containers made of lead can rust and result to lead poisoning. With plastic, you won’t have any of these problems. Especially when you make sure that your water is not stored too long to prevent your water from stagnating.

The fact can never be discounted that the use of plastic is ubiquitous. It is used almost everywhere, from milk containers, food containers, to huge water tanks. This is because it is convenient, with its lightweight property and its ability to absorb high impact shock without having to break. Furthermore, it is fairly affordable. It comes in many colors, shapes and sizes, is generally safe to use and can even save lives. So with that being said, which would you choose — plastic or steel? You decide.

The logistical industry in the U.S., and even across the globe, has always debated about the use of plastic pallet containers versus the use of wooden ones. Both have value of course, but does one have to win? Many people argue that traditional wood, which is many people’s favorite, has always been more cost effective and safer for the environment. By the time it has consumed its shelf life; it is biodegradable and can easily be degraded by the Earth’s soil.

Why not wood?
Many people also contest this fact. Wood, though biodegradable, would entail logging of trees. After all, where would the wood come from if not from trees? And we all know that with the Earth striving to become greener, logging activities have already been banned in many places all around the world. Since this is the case, where would pallet container companies source out their materials lest they resort to illegal logging themselves?

Furthermore, wooden pallets when used to transport meat and other decaying goods, has to be discarded to avoid the spread of disease. But with its decomposition going at a very slow rate, discarding them have become a problem too. With the supply of wood decreasing, prices of wood pallet containers have skyrocketed. Doesn’t this easily go against their reasoning of being more cost effective?

A person can put this into an even better perspective when visiting the great forests of the world first hand and seeing for themselves how long it takes to make a great Sequoia or other natural wonder of our planet.

Why plastic?
Plastic pallets are much cheaper. They last longer, are more durable, are easier to clean and sanitize, can withstand various pressure, temperature and other conditions. They can be recycled to different things over and over again (including construction of houses and buildings), cost less to maintain due to its characteristic durability, and therefore are more economical and effective. Aren’t these reasons enough to consider wooden pallet containers obsolete?

What is your stand?
These concerns have actually placed the use of wooden pallets under extreme scrutiny. And the most highlighted of all concerns have been the decreasing number of timber in our forests. If wooden pallets will continue its production, more and more trees will be taken out of our precious forests. These forests are the ones that help prevent soil erosion, flooding, and even help stabilize the climate. It is an environmental issue, one that is not supposed to be neglected.

With the continued production and use of plastic pallets, forests may be saved, diseases may be prevented from occurring, and people will find means to a cheaper storage alternative. Continue supporting plastic pallet containers and avoid the use of wooden ones. This will help in the advocacy in helping save the environment, one plastic pallet container at a time.

The world is now getting greener as more and more people adopt eco-friendly methods, solutions and systems to make our world a better place to live in, for us and our children. Recycling is one of these methods — from small time home reuse of plastic containers, to big time construction of real houses using plastic shipping containers! Yes, recycling a variety of non-biodegradable but reusable resources has now achieved popularity in the architectural world of sustainable design. Home builders have now started the use of alternative materials, like shipping containers, which were once regarded as waste products when no longer in use. These containers are now valuable in the
Photo by ogimogi, shelters and buildings.

Recession Became a Window for Opportunity
Since the dawn of recession, now years ago, with large automotive and construction industries closing shop, shipping containers have been experiencing major lack of use. Instead of being fully discarded, they have been tapped by some architectural companies and have been used as modular building blocks for buildings and houses. Because they are structurally strong, can withstand pressure, extreme weight and heat, shipping containers have proven to be valuable even when no longer used for freight hauling.

Shipping Containers are For Life
This is indeed good news for our environment and must be lauded and emulated. Typically, shipping containers last for 20 years before they are discarded and brought to scrap yards and landfills where they don’t naturally decompose. Just imagine what this can do to the growing garbage on our planet. But when they are properly maintained through architecture, they can even outlast other traditional building materials. This just shows you how strong and durable these containers are. Whoever thought of this is pure genius.

Photo by themanwithsalthair
The Rise and Fall of Economy
Having discovered this amazing use of plastic shipping containers, more and more companies are now starting to adapt its alternative use. But with the economy slowly picking up the pieces of recession, and automotive industries slowly rising up once again, shipping containers are becoming in demand once more, which is great. It’s an indicator that businesses are booming and the US economy is getting back on its feet.

In the event that shipping containers are discarded and become unused, we now know where they can have more value for us. All thanks to the architectural company that started it all. Hence, never underestimate people’s resourcefulness and creativity. If you have a bright idea in terms of helping out the environment, this is the time to let it shine.

You may be aware that plastic tanks have become big business; they are available in a capacity of up to 16,000 gallons and during the last 10 years, they have more or less replaced tanks made from most other types of materials. These tanks are very useful for storing water and chemicals like bleaches and acids.

Photo by thegreenpages
Why have plastic tanks become so popular, you may well wonder? The main reason would have to be due to the lighter weight in comparison to most tanks made from other materials. When you have a lighter weight, you save on cost. Transportation becomes a whole lot easier as well. There is another advantage to using a tank made from plastic – it is a lot less likely to react to any liquid that is kept in it.

The FDA has given approval for numerous polyethylene resins to be used in the making of plastic storage tanks for water and food products. Cost is also a major plus with plastic storage tanks because a tank made from polyethylene is considerably lower in price than other tanks.

Modern plastic has made it possible for a tank’s lifespan to far exceed that of any other tank’s lifespan. You have practically nil maintenance costs when you use a tank that is made from plastic.

Polyethylene tanks are by far the most common of all and polyethylene resin of high quality makes for an extremely durable, strong, and reliable tank that will last for a long time to come. However, polyethylene is not the only type of plastic tank available; you will find tanks made from other types of plastic as well.

How will you know which type of plastic tank to choose? You will have to do some research to find out or the seller can guide you. What you should know is that there are certain chemicals that do not store all that well in a polyethylene tank. These substances fare better in tanks made of Kynar or polypropylene, both of which are readily available on the market.

Here’s what you need to know for when you choose a plastic tank. Tanks are given a rating that is based on the specific gravity of the liquid they are meant to contain. What this means is a tank that has a higher specific gravity will be more sturdily structured; the walls will be thicker and it will be designed for heavy-duty use.

Photo by IronRodArt – Royce Bair

Packaging waste is one of the main culprits when it comes to trash overtaking landfills and spilling into oceans. Even cardboard does not help as so many people still do not recycle. When people do recycle, the cardboard item is still going to create solid waste or be burnt eventually. Cardboard also comes from wood, and trees do not need to be reduced and abused any further.

Another problem (that may seem less pressing) is that of organization, clutter, and junk taking over household and office spaces. This is especially true in America. This lack of order takes away from time for family and leisure time; time is already scarce and stress and health become factors when it is further compromised.
So what do these things have to do with each other and how can they be helped? The answer is in clear plastic boxes. Yes, you read correctly. Companies that manufacture and distribute any number of items have taken to using packaging that is reusable. When this is done with plastic, the capacity for the reuse and its potential is phenomenal.

Following are some interesting statistics:

1. A plastic box usually lasts about ten years. This can mean that 400 cardboard boxes are not needed.
2. Only 250,000 boxes being used can mean that 10 million cardboard ones annually are no longer being used.
3. Plastic boxes can be recycled when they can no longer be used.

And clutter and disorganization? Using a clear plastic box can mean time, frustration, space, and more are saved. They can be used to store fishing tackle and tools, sewing accessories, jewelry, small toys, building and construction tools, garage items, toys, sports items, and many more. Imagine reaching for your small scrap booking items and coming up with the exact one you need without searching, fumbling, and getting frustrated.

It is increasingly apparent that the world’s people need more time, less stress, less stuff, and to pay attention to the earth’s woes. A simple item like a plastic box can help begin the journey to these tough journeys.

Photo by brewbooks

But as these things go on, many people from all walks of life seem to have found certain uses for these discarded 55 gallon drums. In fact, if you check online, you will find people asking where they can get some for free, or even in exchange for some fair price. 55 gallon plastic drums, after all, need not continue filling our landfills only to serve as potential hazards to our environment. There are better ways for them to be disposed of, all thanks to all these people who were resourceful and frugal enough to have applied some of their bright ideas into action.

Some typical uses of 55 Gallon Drums:

- Due to the hard economic times, many people today are now resorting to home vegetable gardening. And in order to sustain this, they use plastic 55 gallon drums for planting the seeds and letting the vegetables grow.

- For people with bigger plots for vegetable gardens, they use the drums to collect rain water and act as huge water sprinklers as well.

- Because most of these drums used to contain harmful chemicals and materials before they were discarded, some eccentric people use these drums to breed some insects and algae. Once the drums can sustain life forms, it means that they’re already safe to use for other things.

- Majority of the consumer population who has 55 gallon drums at home use it as trash bins for lack of other ideas.

Bright Ideas Are Always Welcome

If all people are as resourceful as those first three mentioned above, our government wouldn’t be having such a hard time coming up with ways to dispose of waste materials other than by just simply bringing them to the landfills to rot and corrode. So start small, and from there, nourish the ideas that come to mind, no matter how weird it may be at first. Secondhand plastic 55 gallon drums are after all very strong, sturdy, easy to clean and can withstand a lot of external factors. They’re good for the gardens and good for the homes. If you think hard enough, more uses will eventually come to mind.

This principle does not only apply to the use of these drums, but it should be employed to other areas of your life as well. So, recycle, recycle, recycle!

These plastic people stock their homes with plastic bins, because there are many different types to choose from. The organizational uses that can be achieved using bins prove to be enormous. There would more than likely be three bins in assorted colors in their kitchens. These bins would be used for recycling their glass, paper and of course plastic.

When walking into the children’s rooms, there are bins to store dolls, trucks and other toys, because plastic people are very organized. There would also be bins for books, crayons, pencils, backpacks and the girls need a place to put their combs, brushes and barrettes.

As you go into the closet of the parent’s room, there will be bins that hold purses, decorative gift bags and tissue paper, as well as travel luggage, all stacked up neatly to make extra room for all her shoes. Then on his side you will see sports gear, sweaters neatly folded, hats and tie clips, leaving room to spare for the golf trinkets.

Then in the bathroom there are a few small bins stacked next to the sink that hold towels and wash clothes, hand soap, shampoo, toothpaste, ear swabs and toilet paper. Everything can be reached by adults and children. This is something the plastic people really enjoy about the bins, is that they come in different sizes and colors to match the style of any room.

Now in the garage there are bins on top of the workbench and bins that are underneath. The bins on top of the workbench have tools and rags along with nuts and bolts. There are small bins holding hooks, bobbers and flies for fishing. Underneath the workbench are containers of oil, grease, paper towel as well as small power tools and electrical cords. These bins keep everything very organized so the plastic people can park their car in the garage.

Plastic bins can be used in the garage, storage shed, home, office or workplace to keep things organized and neat. These types of bins are economical and come in many colors and sizes. You don’t have to be a plastic person to get organized, just a person who wants to be organized and use plastic.

Photo by Will Pate

There is no argument that there are many benefits to using glass containers. As the only packaging that is deemed GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) by the FDA, glass has strong support. It is safe for the environment and easily recyclable. It has been used for years and has been proven to maintain the healthiness and integrity of the beverages and foods that it holds. It has excellent clarity; the shape and feel are very pleasing to consumers. But there are just some things that make glass the inferior choice to plastic.

If we are comparing notes on pros and cons, who would win? Many companies and industries have made the switch to plastic for several reasons. Plastic is very easily recycled, just as glass is, but the question isn’t just one of ease in the processing. To fully judge which is better, think about the consumer who is asked to recycle. Plastic is much lighter than glass so taking 50-100 bottles into a recycling center is not a huge ordeal whereas with glass, you will need to take it in smaller loads and expend much more energy and time doing so. Glass being the heavier material will also add weight to the car used to carry these heavy loads to the recycling center, cutting down on fuel efficiency and defeating the purpose of reducing the carbon footprint.

While the clarity, feel, and shape of glass is very pleasing and, as some would argue, unparalleled, plastic does come in a pretty close second and the argument can be made that it has overtaken the competition in other ways. Plastic can be infused with any color imaginable; it can be opaque, translucent, or completely transparent. While the clarity of transparent plastic does suffer a bit from the material’s quality, plastic can be molded into any shape quite easily. Not only can the clear plastic jar be in any shape, but also can be used in a much different fashion than its glass counterpart. When it comes to condiments, glass cannot be squeezed for the very last drop; plastic can. Imagine you are in a burger place in the 1950s or 1960s; you would be shaking, tapping, and slapping the glass ketchup bottle, shoving a utensil into it, doing whatever you could to get that one little bit of ketchup onto your plate from a full jar. Not so with plastic; simply squeeze and your task is done.

Photo by Jeremy Brooks

The toughest side effect of using plastic pallets are the products sliding off the pallet and possibly hurting someone. Since this is a safety issue, we will focus on ways to make the pallets safe for the workers using them. The accessories that come with the pallets are what keep the products from slipping off. Here are a few types that were found.

Grommets can be placed in predetermined areas to stabilize a load and to keep the load from shifting off of the pallet. The grommets are made of a non skid material to hold the products set on the pallet in place. There are also anti-skid disks that are available to keep loads from sliding around on the pallet.

Seatbelt assemblies are another safety accessory for the pallets, the seatbelt attaches to the pallet and top cap to secure the loads placed on the pallet. The seatbelt is pulled tight to keep any products from sliding or shifting.
Pallets that contain a diamond pattern on top are a non skid surface that keeps the products from skidding, allowing the load to be safely transported.

There are also deck inserts that can easily be snapped into the pallet to cover the leg hole openings. When lifting the pallets with a forklift, the covers will keep the forklift from getting caught and overturning the load and causing possible injuries and destroying the product on the pallet.

Plastic divider sheets and pallet slip sheets can be placed between the pallets to keep the load secure. These dividers are reusable so they can also cut costs and waste. Fiberboard dividers are not reusable and cannot be recycled which causes more garbage in our landfills. The plastic dividers can be recycled when they are no longer needed.

Plastic pallets can be safe and is an economical answer to transporting goods. Using the accessories and common sense can keep workers and the products safe when using them as part of your plastic storage system solution.

Plastic was created by Alexander Parkes in 1862, Parkes found a material made from cellulose that when heated could be molded and retain its shape when cooled. Plastic and the use of plastic have come a long way since the 1800’s. There are many activists in our world that say plastic is harming our planet and we should find other alternatives. The chemicals that are in the plastic could also be harmful to the human body, causing possible cancer or hormonal imbalances. When exposed to heat the plastic could also release chemicals (as stated earlier) into clothes that have been stored. Disposing of plastic such as the plastic in storage boxes could be a concern. A danger or concern with the larger boxes is that if small children climb inside and the plastic box is snapped shut a child could get hurt.

Looking at the useful side of the plastic boxes, is that convenient storage is something most people want and there is a size and shape that will fit what you need. There are the clear boxes that let you see what is inside, then the colorful ones for anyone that wants to hide their stuff. Plastic boxes are easy to stack, so you can fit them in a corner and have room to spare. When traveling, the plastic keeps things like ice for cold drinks from getting the inside of your car wet. Organizing your house or storage shed with these plastic boxes can make any room look uncluttered and clean.

Are the storage boxes more useful than useless? In my opinion yes, the use of these boxes have helped people keep their houses, offices, and garages organized. Storing things and keeping them safe from the dust and dampness is another plus.

When the storage boxes are ready to be thrown out, making sure they go to recycling bins instead of garbage dumps will help keep the environment safer. Reading the warnings that are placed with the boxes will help you determine what should be stored and what needs to be put in a different type of storage box. Using common sense and keeping our environment in mind, plastic can be useful and safe.