Recent years have brought an increased focus on sustainability by every industry. As companies make important changes to improve their eco-friendly profiles, many are forgetting one minor change that could make a world of difference. Packages secured with plastic strapping represent an often overlooked opportunity to improve sustainability. When stretch wrap and steel strapping aren’t needed for their full-enclosure protection or strength, plastic is an ideal option, thanks to its ease of disposal.

Types of Plastic Strapping

There are two major types of plastic strapping that are popular for use in this sector. Polypropylene strapping, the more cost-effective option for light-duty applications, is one option, and polyester strapping, the better option for heavy-duty applications, is the other. They both offer high tensile strength, an important characteristic for keeping packages tight, even as loads shift, settle, and contract. Both types are moisture resistant, though polyester is more resistant to high temperatures.

Why Use Plastic Strapping?

Many packaging supplies and other products arrive strapped. For example, plastic bottles are often shipped on pallets with corrugated tier separators, all of which is held together by vertically-applied plastic strapping. When a load of this type arrives on the plant floor, the straps are cut, and the containers are fed into the packaging line. While straps and corrugated tiers do score well on source reduction, the question of disposal still remains. Instead of tossing plastic straps into the dumpster, a better option is to have them collected for recycling by the CPG company.

Another Use for Plastic Strapping

Many CPG companies have goals of sending 0% of waste to landfills. As a result, a variety of post-production recycling materials are sent to recycling streams. Some of them need to be bundled or baled, another important use for plastic tie straps.

Sustainability includes everything. There is no detail too small to be considered in the effort to use more ecologically sound method. Is your strapping holding you back from a greener profile?