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"Green" Plastic Trash Can Liners Coming to Rochester Community Schools
July 17, 2009
Birmingham, MI
Rochester Community Schools is among the first K-12 public school districts in Michigan to begin using a new trash can liner made with 70 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. The PCR content in the Greencore Can LinersTM far exceeds plastics industry goals, reducing the carbon footprint in manufacturing by as much as 40 percent.
Gary Dennis, RCS Director of Custodial Operations, said one of his department's purchasing goals is to use products that contain recycled material whenever practical. "These bags are competitively priced, perform well and are decidedly greener, so they fit well with our program," said Dennis. "We also like the fact that they are made in Michigan."
The bag manufacturer, Petoskey Plastics, developed engineered 3-layer technology that sandwiches PCR between layers of high strength virgin plastic, resulting in bags that are as strong or stronger than bags made of 100 percent virgin resin at a comparable thickness. Historically, bags made with recycled plastic have not fared well because of performance issues, said Dennis.
PCR plastic is more environmentally friendly because it is derived from a finished product that has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal. It is then considered "post-consumer." This differs from "pre-consumer" or "post-industrial" waste, which is generated by industrial or manufacturing waste.
"We just began marketing the Greencore Can Liners™ brand in Michigan, and the response has been very positive," said Matt Keiswetter, Product Line Manager for Petoskey Plastics. "The cities of Petoskey and Traverse City recently placed orders, as has Oakland County. We are in discussions with several other government units, schools and universities."
Keiswetter said the product's strength, price and green qualities have been key to its early success. "There is a real practical advantage for customers in the public sector, and we see tremendous opportunity for growth," he added. "Think of the number of trash can liners used in schools, on streets, in public parks and in other facilities. Multiply that number by the all of the municipalities, counties and schools in Michigan. That's a lot of plastic bags."
Rochester Community Schools purchases the Greencore Can Liners™ through Industrial Cleaning Supply of Waterford, Michigan.
About Petoskey Plastics
Since 1970, Petoskey Plastics has been an innovator in manufacturing blown plastic film and bags that are engineered for performance. Headquartered in Petoskey, Michigan, the company serves a variety of markets with engineered solutions that meet specific needs. Petoskey Plastics has facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee and Shanghai, China.
