There are many factors in choosing a resin mix, but when comparing recycled vs. virgin plastic, recycled content is quickly becoming the preferred option across nearly every industry. Here are the top five reasons to consider it for your next project.
Roughly 300 million tons of recyclable plastic is produced every year, and the vast majority still ends up in landfills — a rich source that OEMs have only started tapping. Using recycled content instead of virgin plastic reduces landfill waste, reliance on crude oil, and your overall climate footprint.
Swapping virgin for recycled plastic isn't just good for the environment — it's good for business. Consumers and investors increasingly weigh how products are sourced and produced, and environmental impact across the supply chain now factors into buying decisions. Companies are renewing their practices with a strong focus on sustainability, and for plastic products that means recycled content.
Recycled plastic used to cost more than virgin petrochemicals, but rising regulations and tax sanctions on virgin polymer feedstocks are changing that. Recycled plastic is becoming increasingly commoditized and, in many cases, a cheaper option for manufacturers.
Plastic is prized for being durable, weather-resistant, lightweight, and long-lasting, with high sterility for sanitation-critical environments. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) content lets you keep those properties while making the material more sustainable — something alternatives like cardboard or coated fabric can't match for protection and lifetime.
OEMs keep finding new ways to make resin production more efficient and sustainable. Working with a plastic partner who develops creative, industry-specific solutions pays off on the bottom line — and we help find the optimal recycled resin mix for each customer.
Recycled content makes plastic itself more sustainable — without giving up the durability that made it useful in the first place.
At Custom Profiles, we work with customers to balance high-quality resin with sustainable production by finding the optimal recycled resin mix for their business. From material selection to resin processing and extrusion, our team is dedicated to making your transition to more sustainable practices as smooth as possible. Connect with a Custom Profiles expert to learn more about boosting the sustainability of your extruded products.