Plastics Plus was delighted to welcome Rudy Murillo to the team this summer as an Intern Engineer. Rudy, a local Californian, is pursuing his degree in manufacturing engineering at Arizona State University: Polytechnic Campus in Mesa, AZ. In his education, Rudy worked on various projects that required programming, machining, design, concept development and everything in between. This summer he was able to apply his knowledge and work directly with our project managers in developing automated tools to expand the company’s capabilities. Rudy was able to bring fresh ideas to the table, gain valuable insight into the world of manufacturing and help take Plastics Plus a step forward. He will be returning to Arizona this week to finish school and start his new position. We wish Rudy all the best in his upcoming graduation, his new position, and future endeavors.

As he leaves for Arizona, Rudy was able to give his final reflection on his experience:

What was your first exposure to manufacturing/ engineering?

My first exposure to engineering was during my visit to the Naval Academy where engineering (in several disciplines) is the main degree offered by the University. During the week, we observed many examples and acts of science (mainly physics) in the study halls where the Midshipman(students) attended their classes. 

What fascinates you about M&E?

The idea that everything is made, whether it is on a small or large scale; and the method that is used to create a product can determine the overall success of a company. Manufacturing is always changing and evolving so rapidly that the idea of full-scale automation does not seem like a far-fetched concept. To be part of a generation that will be working closely with new technology is exciting, especially to experience the power available to us first-hand thanks to such technology.

Pictured: Rudy working hard in the tool room on his project.

What was it like working at Plastics Plus? 

My experience at PPT was awesome! Seeing and interacting with some of the various machines was different and insightful on how some operations are run. I was forced to think outside of the box and find possible solutions for abstract movements and processes.

What useful skills have you learned as an intern here?

I worked a lot with SolidWorks, which is crucial because manufacturing involves a lot of modeling and programming. That process is vital to making a viable tool capable of manufacturing quality parts. I also had the opportunity to work hands-on with a milling machine and learned different methods of setting up and making good cuts in aluminum.

What are your goals following graduation? 

The biggest goal I have after graduation is to put myself out of my comfort zone wherever I go. I hope to learn new skills that will follow me for the rest of my life and have opportunities that I would never have before.

Looking back, what are some of the highlights of your experience?

Overall, the internship was a great learning experience and I have learned quite a bit of information because of the mistakes that I made. I definitely know that I underestimated the time to machine the final box for the pressing machine in the hopes that I had enough time to finish it. I will definitely take the lessons and skills that I have learned at PPT and take them with me on my future endeavors wherever they may take me.

Thanks for coming aboard with us this summer Rudy, and good luck!

Preface:

The packaging industry is currently on blast, meaning, there are hundreds if not thousands of reports on how single-use and nonrecyclable packaging is devastating some of the most beautiful places on the planet. There have been disturbing videos of trash, debris, and indecomposable plastics washing up on shore in waves, literally. Single-use plastics are no doubt the culprit; often dumped into the ocean, river and washed down by rainstorms that result in huge environmentally impactful phenomenon like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Beirut’s River of Garbage (Lebanon), La Pasion River crisis and the Dominican Republic beach full of trash.

Solutions:

While many city, state and federal governments have established prohibitions on single-use plastics, that will likely not be enough to reduce the impact that has already been done. In fact, there may not be a reasonable solution for years to come. However, companies who rely on plastics do have options for reducing their impact on the environment moving forward. A company who wants to be more environmentally responsible can do so in a variety of different ways:

1. Reduce/ eradicate single-use plastics altogether.
2. Use biodegradable plastic material for parts that will decompose.
3. Make the product easy to recycle.
4. Use environmentally friendly packaging solutions.

Eco-friendly Packaging Solutions

Single-use packaging (grocery store bags, meat packaging, plastic wrapping, etc.) is one of the biggest contributors to the environmental crisis. The plastic is bad for the ecosystem, the animals that live there and will be bad for humans too! We are not immune to the chemicals that plastic can release once it is broken down by sea water; it can even end up in the food we eat like fish!

The best thing to do as a company going forward is finding solutions for packaging that can reduce the impact your product makes on the environment. Surprisingly, there are a lot of options and the list is growing as we progress with technology and awareness. Even if your company is committed to using plastic packaging, there are ways to make that packaging less or completely impactful on the environment. These changes can be costly or cost-effective, but either way, the environment will be the ultimate beneficiary of the move. However, your company can benefit too! There are plenty of branding opportunities with biodegradable plastics, and often consumers will look to see if you’re being environmentally responsible. Now more than ever!

If you want some examples of creative ideas for sustainable packaging, check out this blog post.

Authors note: My favorite packaging solution story is that of Saltwater Brewery’s Eco-Six Pack Rings. These rings are a really great solution to the disparaged plastic-ringed six packs.

Scroll to the bottom to see how our company has helped with our customer’s products and packaging.

Biodegradable vs Compostable

While these two terms seem interchangeable, they are far from that. There are some key differences between biodegradable plastics and compostable plastics; each with their own set of properties and criteria.

Compostable Plastic is plastic which is “capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site as part of an available program, such that the plastic is not visually distinguishable and breaks down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials (e.g. cellulose). and leaves no toxic residue.”  American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM).

In order for a plastic to be deemed compostable, it must meet three specific requirements:

1. Biodegrade- Must break down into water, CO2 or biomass at the same rate as paper.
2. Disintegrate- The material is not distinguishable in the compost.
3. Eco-toxicity- Does not produce toxic material and can support plant growth.

Biodegradable Plastic is plastic which will degrade from the action of naturally occurring microorganism, such as bacteria,  fungi etc. over a period of time.  Note, that there is no requirement for leaving “no toxic residue“, and as well as no requirement for the time it needs to take to biodegrade.

How Plastics Plus Technology has Helped its Customers Find More Sustainable Solutions:

For some of our customers, we offer biodegradable low-density polyethylene bags (ECLE).
These bags contain an additive that helps the material breakdown without compromising specs
like:

Shelf-life
Strength
Clarity
Printability

The biodegradable bags break down when in contact with other biodegradable substances found in landfills, home, and garden compost. The bags are offered in different colors, thicknesses and can be run on automated packaging systems. For more info on the bags itself, visit our supplier www.autobag.com.

Although not the only way, biodegradable packaging is one way to leave the planet less impacted by consumers. Like anything else, these bags and other sustainable packaging systems have to be disposed of properly to have the desired effect on the environment.