Food in Plastic Today products are protected in packages that use plastic in the shape of bubbles, bumps, and blisters. The products being protected range from tooth brushes to LED light bulbs in these, aka, "Clamshells" of protection. The idea is great because of the extra safeguarding offered when you dropped or bang the blister package. The highly significant impact absorbing ratio of these packages prevents most common breakage. Nevertheless, a great idea can be nothing more than Crab Crap if there is a flaw in the overall equation. Here is why this idea is fundamentally flawed:
More than 60% of American Townships Do Not recycle these thermoformed containers, aka clamshells, aka blister packs. So yes, even though you have been putting all your protective plastic packaging from your purchased products into recycle bins, they are not being recycled. They are still going into landfills.
According to the FTC Green Guide, when more than 60% of American Recycling infrastructures Do Not recycle an item, then that item is deemed "Un-Recyclable" because your municipality is removing these items from the recycling conveyor belt or recovery system to bury them in a landfill where they don't breakdown. The Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides are designed to help marketers avoid making environmental claims that mislead consumers. However, in this case, we are misled by the process of omission! When a blister pack has no recycle information on it, we take the sensible option and recycle. We believe we are doing the right thing, but because we are not told that our township does not recycle thermoformed containers we are misled and continue to buy products with these protective packages. Once again, consumers, are being "sold a bill of goods!"
More than 60% of American Townships Do Not recycle these thermoformed containers, aka clamshells, aka blister packs. So yes, even though you have been putting all your protective plastic packaging from your purchased products into recycle bins, they are not being recycled. They are still going into landfills.
According to the FTC Green Guide, when more than 60% of American Recycling infrastructures Do Not recycle an item, then that item is deemed "Un-Recyclable" because your municipality is removing these items from the recycling conveyor belt or recovery system to bury them in a landfill where they don't breakdown. The Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides are designed to help marketers avoid making environmental claims that mislead consumers. However, in this case, we are misled by the process of omission! When a blister pack has no recycle information on it, we take the sensible option and recycle. We believe we are doing the right thing, but because we are not told that our township does not recycle thermoformed containers we are misled and continue to buy products with these protective packages. Once again, consumers, are being "sold a bill of goods!"
 Blister Packs for Medicine |  Plastic Protection or Tombs? |
The irony to all this is that the demand for post-consumer PET exceeds the supply by a tremendous margin. Polyethylene terephthalate, aka PET, is the thermoplastic polymer resin used for containers that hold liquids, fibers that make up clothing, and containers for food. I Do Not use plastic bottles to drink from and I avoid foods in plastic or cans due to the possible BPA contaminants If you wish to learn more, please consider taking my online workshop on WATER. Classes start September, 2016.
Additionally, Bonnie who is a follower of Going True Green's blog for many years, shared an artist's exhibit created to demonstrate the impact of these blister packs that are not recyclable. You may wish to visit an article with photos on the exhibit at: A Tomb for the Plastic Ghosts We Leave Behind.
Bill Lauto , GTG
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
Additionally, Bonnie who is a follower of Going True Green's blog for many years, shared an artist's exhibit created to demonstrate the impact of these blister packs that are not recyclable. You may wish to visit an article with photos on the exhibit at: A Tomb for the Plastic Ghosts We Leave Behind.
Bill Lauto , GTG
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
Telling the Untold Stories: TELOMERE by L. J. Williams
