The journey of a plastic bag begins far from the store aisle, deep underground. Fossil fuels, like crude oil, are extracted through processes that release greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. This oil is then transported to refineries, where it undergoes a complex transformation. Through heating and various chemical reactions, the oil is broken down into its basic building blocks. One of these key components is ethylene gas, which is then converted into tiny plastic pellets – the raw material for our plastic bag. These pellets are shipped to factories where the real magic happens. Here, the pellets are loaded into large machines and melted into a molten plastic stream. This hot, viscous liquid is then forced through a die, shaping it into a thin, continuous tube of plastic film. The film travels through a series of rollers that flatten and cool it, transforming it from a hot tube to a wide sheet. This plastic sheet might undergo processes like printing logos or adding perforations, depending on the final bag design.
Depending on the design, handles are attached, and voila – a fresh batch of plastic bags are born! These bags are then stacked, bundled, and loaded onto pallets, ready to be shipped to distribution centers and ultimately, to stores across the country. At the store how are plastic bags made, the plastic bag finally reaches its moment of purpose. You, the consumer, encounter the bag at checkout, using it to carry your groceries or other purchases home. This is typically the shortest part of the bag’s lifespan. Most plastic bags are used for a mere 12 to 20 minutes before their fate is decided. Here’s where the journey takes a turn. Ideally, the bag would be reused for lunches, shopping trips, or pet waste disposal. However, many plastic bags end up in the trash. These discarded bags are collected and may take one of two paths. In some cases, they are sent to landfills, where they can take hundreds, even thousands of years to degrade. The problem is, plastic does not truly disappear in landfills.
Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces called micro plastics, which can contaminate the soil and water. Alternatively, some plastic bags might end up in recycling facilities. Unfortunately, not all plastic bags are created equal, and recycling capabilities vary depending on location. Even when collected for recycling, some bags may end up getting thrown away due to contamination or incompatibility with local recycling systems. The unfortunate reality is that a significant portion of plastic bags end up in our environment. They litter our streets, parks, and even our oceans. Wildlife can become entangled in plastic bags, leading to injuries or even death. Marine animals might mistake plastic bags for food, causing internal blockages and starvation and visit www.ketegroup.com. The wide sheet of plastic is then fed into another machine that cuts and seals the film at precise intervals