Facts About Plastics

Recycling

Over one million post consumer PVC-U window frames (over 25,000 tonnes) are recycled each year in the UK

Source: http://www.recyclingportal.eu/artikel/29981.shtml

Packaging

Without plastics the overall weight of packaging would increase by 360%, energy consumption would double and greenhouse gas emissions would nearly triple

Source: http://www.plasticseurope.org/documents/document/20120910105214-final_pe_packaging_en_310812.pdf

Transport

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is comprised of 50% plastics composites by weight and 80% by volume contributing to a 20 percent fuel saving

Source: http://www.boeing.com/boeing/commercial/787family/programfacts.page

Sport

In the 2010 World Cup 9 teams sported shirts made from recycled PET bottles

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1253892/Nine-World-Cup-sides-wear-shirts-entirely-recycled-plastic-bottles-South-Africa.html

Construction

PVC-U windows have a lifetime of at least 35 years.

Source: http://www.bbacerts.co.uk/CertificateFiles/47/4760PS3i1.pdf

Domestic Appliances

The use of plastics in modern washing machine drums reduces energy consumption and water by 40 - 50% compared to  that of older models.

Source: http://www.plasticseurope.org/documents/document/20101006091310-final_plasticsthefacts_28092010_lr.pdf  

Safety

Over 2000 police officers’ lives have been saved due to the fact that protective vests are made with tough plastics materials.

Source: http://www.levin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/stabenow-and-levin-announce-grant-to-provide-over-4-000-bulletproof-vests-for-180-local-police-departments