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Upgraded Packaging Material to Protect Your Aluminum Products

Protecting Your Aluminum Nameplates Sustainably

Companies, Organizations and Municipalities around the world are facing a growing problem in disposal and recycling of EPS foam. 

EPS foam (Expanded Polystyrene) is a highly popular packaging material which finds wide application in packaging of food items, electronic goods, electrical appliances, furniture, and more due to its excellent insulating and protective properties. EPS foam is also used to make useful products such as disposable cups, trays, cutlery, cartons, cases, etc. However, being large and bulky, polystyrene takes up significant space in rubbish bins which means bins become full more quickly and therefore need to be emptied more often. 

Because it is bulky, EPS foam takes up storage space and costs more to transport and yet yields only a small amount of polystyrene for re-use or remolding.  In fact, polystyrene accounts for only 2% of the volume of un-compacted EPS foams.  This provides little incentive for recyclers to consider EPS recycling.  

 

In an effort to become more environmentally friendly, Northern Engraving Corporation is moving away from all EPS foam to more environmentally friendly products like quilted biodegradable air cell film to be used in our packaging.  

Quilted Bio Air Cell Film-2EPS Foam-2

Quilted Biodegradable Air Cell Foam                                                                  Expanded Polystrene (EPS) Foam

 

Biodegradation is nature’s way of recycling. Northern Engraving’s quilted biodegradable air cell film’s molecular structure starts to break down in the presence of moisture, sun, and mechanical action. It breaks down by making the film ultra-hydroscopic. Water molecules attach themselves to the film, which starts to break it down. As the film breaks down, it turns into low molecular weight dust. In this state, it is then consumed by microorganisms in the soil. The microorganisms then convert the residue to biomass and water. This completes the recycling process as the biomass and water go back into nature. 

There are many vested interest groups that claim that the film only fragments. Not only is Northern Engraving’s quilted biodegradable air cell film certified to completely biodegrade, but numerous Universities such as the Blaise Pascal University in France and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences have also authenticated the complete biodegradation process, leaving no fragments and nothing more than CO2, water, and biomass for recycling back into nature. 

Benefits of Northern Engraving's Quilted Biodegradable Air Cell Films


  • Compared to paper, plastic consumes 40% less energy to make and produces 70% fewer atmospheric emissions. 
  • Paper generates 100% more solid waste and waterborne waste than quilted biodegradable air cell films. 
  • The process of making paper causes 70% more atmospheric pollution than plastic. 
  • When paper degrades, it emits the greenhouse gasses methane and carbon dioxide. It also takes 90% more energy to recycle one kg of paper than one kg of plastic. 
  • US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that paper does not biodegrade in landfills at a much faster rate than virgin plastic, and, of course, significantly slower than Northern Engraving quilted biodegradable air cell films! 

 

Protective Packaging = Safe Transit

Over 100 years of producing and shipping aluminum nameplates, plastic labels and decorated trim has lent itself to an establishment of standard packaging solutions.  We are always working to find more sustainable and efficient methods. Smaller boxes may be placed inside of a larger, crush resistant box along with air packs, or cardboard packing for a snug fit and reduced likelihood of parts jarring or shifting during its journey.  

 

 Have more questions? Let's talk!

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