Value of Plastics

LEARN MORE: cpchem.com/Sustainability Value of Plastics At Chevron Phillips Chemical, we are proud that our products can offer access to clean water, food supplies, medical care and provide many significant benefits to society that are often overlooked. Healthcare Plastics play an integral role in healthcare. Their lightweight, flexible and durable characteristics make plastics an ideal material for medical applications like implants, IV bags, syringes, and personalized prosthetics. 1,2 Plastic packaging helps to reduce the spread of infections by keeping medical supplies and medications secure and sterile. Items like gloves and masks made with plastics offer extra layers of safety to healthcare professionals and their patients. From soft and comfortable contact lenses to strong and rigid child-proof pill bottles, we rely on the versatility of plastic products to maintain our health and wellness. With the development of 3D printing, prosthetics made with polyethylene have been used to help humans and injured animals regain mobility. 3 Plastics from electronics can be recycled through e-waste recycling programs. Remember to check with your local waste management company before you discard electronics and appliances. Outdoors Plastics let us explore the outdoors like never before. Sleeping bags and tents made with synthetic fibers lighten the load on camping trips. Plastic coolers that keep food safe are sturdy and easy to transport. On the water, plastic makes kayaks impact-resistant, waterproof, and buoyant. Transportation & Fuel Efficiency In cars and aircraft, plastics have safely replaced some steel components and improved efficiency. Plastic can reduce a vehicle’s weight by up to 30%, lowering stress placed on the engine and allowing the vehicle to operate with better fuel efficiency. 4 A 20-foot length of corrugated polyethylene pipe weighs about 600 pounds. A reinforced concrete pipe of the same diameter weighs over 22,500 pounds, more than 37 times heavier. 5 Imagine the difference in fuel expenses when transporting these two materials! Electronics So many of our electronics utilize plastics to keep the world connected. Electricity can be dangerous, and plastic shielding on electrical wires allows us to safely use extension cords, connect network cables, and charge our electronics. Don’t want to be tangled in cables? Wireless devices like smart watches, cell phones, laptops and headphones are designed with strong plastics that protect sensitive components without weighing you down. DID YOU DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW?