Environmental advantages

Plastic has environmental advantages
The amount of energy consumed during the manufacture of plastic is low compared with many other materials.

Plastic saves resources - replacing heavy materials in cars, trains, ships and aircraft with lighter plastic components saves fuel. Replacing heavy packaging with plastic packaging saves energy used for transport.

Much plastic waste is collected and regranulated for use in new plastic products - particularly products which do not require the use of raw materials of the highest quality, e.g. waste sacks, compost holders, road signs, beer and mineral water crates, fleece clothing, etc. Plastic which is not recycled can be incinerated, without any environmental problems for most plastics. The incineration of polyethylene, which is the most common type of plastic in use, only generates water and carbon dioxide. Oil is the basis for plastic, which therefore has a high calorific value as a fuel oil, or almost three times that of wood. When oil is used to manufacture plastic, it is useful in many ways, before it is finally incinerated to generate electricity and heat.