Made in America

petoskeyplastics August 8, 2022Plastics Industry

Recently on our social media channels, we highlighted our four manufacturing locations and the products we make there. We’re proud to deliver quality, American-made products to the automotive, construction, home improvement, retail, and medical industries.

Our Petoskey, Michigan manufacturing location was where it all started. Operations began in 1969; in 1976, we expanded and relocated to our current facility.

We first ventured into recycled plastics in our Petoskey facility in 1978. It wasn’t until three years later that the company purchased its first computer!

In Petoskey, we manufacture contour automotive seat covers, contractor bags, can liners, dental chair covers, hospital gowns, and medical bags, to name a few products. When the initial COVID-19 waves caused a shortage of personal protective equipment, the Petoskey plant took on the challenge of producing medical gowns. In 2022, we committed to delivering high-quality medical gowns and installed a state-of-the-art gown line.

Made in Petoskey – Contour Seat Covers, Contractor Bags, Medical Bags

In 1999, we purchased our second location in Morristown, Tennessee. An offset printing press was added to print 4-color paper floor mats in 2004, and an additional four extrusion lines were added during the recent 2018 expansion.

We make products like Slip-N-Grip® aftermarket seat covers and tire bags, painter’s plastic, automotive body-shop sheeting, contractor bags, plastic & paper floor mats, draw tape, and roll stock for converting here. In 2021, Morristown became our first location to manufacture our new GreenPE® Shrink™ Film product line.

Made in Morristown – Seat Covers, Tire Bags, Floor Mats, Painter’s Plastic, Contractor Bags

Hartford City, Indiana was the next to join the Petoskey Plastics family in 2006. Shortly after, in 2008, we had a fully operational recycling facility within the Hartford City plant and doubled recycling capacity by 2011. In 2011, we expanded the plant, making room for a recycling sort line in 2016 and a wash line in 2017.

In Hartford City, Indiana, we manufacture products like our Steelcoat® and Greencore® trash bags, private label drawstring trash bags, can liners, and drum liners while producing our 100% post-consumer recycled GreenPE® resin.

Made in Hartford City – Trash Bags, Can Liners, GreenPE® Resin

Officially opened in the spring of 2021, McKinney, Texas, is our newest plant! We immediately launched into expanding the facility in 2022. Currently, in our initial startup phase, we are focused on producing private label drawstring trash bags. Contractor bags are on track to be made by the end of the year, and we have great plans for even more products as we grow.

Made in McKinney – Drawstring Trash Bags

The stories of our manufacturing facilities are important to us. Because of the great communities and associates in each location, we are able to provide high-quality, engineered, American-made plastic film products.

It’s easy to be a little greener with Greencore®! Be sure to check out our line of sustainable products and follow Greencore on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for more sustainability content.

How Going Greencore® Can Help You Meet Your Sustainability Goals

petoskeyplastics June 8, 2022Carbon Footprint, Eco-Friendly, Sustainability

If you are familiar with the Greencore® brand, you know that we make our products with our third-party certified GreenPE® recycled resin. We manufacture our plastic bags and films with quality plastics and practices comparable to national brand name products. Created with 3-layer technology, the bags provide a green advantage without the extra costs. These products are available with up to 70% post-consumer content.

The foundation of Greencore® is to provide businesses and individuals with sustainable products for a wide range of needs. We are the industry leader and innovator in offering closed-loop programs that recycle a customer’s plastic and then provide new products out of the recycled material using our engineered high strength 3-layer Greencore® structure.

Using Greencore®’s recycled products at your organization or institution can help you meet your internal sustainability goals. Many businesses are hoping to reduce their carbon footprint before 2025, and we can help you accomplish that goal much easier with our sustainable products. Trash bags, can liners, and recycling bags are already used daily in most businesses; why not update to be a little more environmentally friendly?

Our products are an excellent fit for locations like arenas, airports, parks, and universities. We cover custom needs for recycling, retail, private label, janitorial, construction, and more. Our in-house engineering, manufacturing, and design professionals will work with you every step of the way, starting from initial quotes to the design and production of the final product.

In addition to facility maintenance, our products are made for home care and business use. It’s easy to find the right fit since our products are available in 12- to 60-gallon sizes and various colors. You can work with our engineers to get the custom fit, closure type, and specific performance features you need.

Don’t let your sustainability goals catch up with you. Look ahead and integrate Greencore products into your business today!

Guide to GreenPE® Sustainable Products

petoskeyplastics May 2, 2022Closed-Loop, Eco-Friendly, Sustainability

GreenPE® is our SCS certified post-consumer recycled plastic resin. With our GreenPE® resin, we make sustainable products out of post-consumer material diverted from the waste stream.

We produce GreenPE® resin at our recycling and manufacturing facility in Hartford City, Indiana. This central location enables us to serve major U.S. markets with recycling services and shipment of GreenPE® resin to our other three manufacturing facilities.

GreenPE® resin and a wide range of our recycled-content products have been certified through SCS Global. Our resin, in particular, has been certified since 2009. This third-party verification brings customers the satisfaction of knowing the products they buy are guaranteed to be genuine, sustainable products.

Our GreenPE® resin makes its way into various product lines, a few of which are listed below.

GreenPE® Shrink

Our unique 5-layer technology allows us to combine LDPE and LLDPE into the film layers for toughness and HDPE for tensile strength, making GreenPE® Shrink™ Bundling Film a heavy-duty, high-performing film with superior product protection for a variety of applications. GreenPE® Shrink™ is excellent for products that pack in large, heavy multi-packs, such as beverage cans, cleaning supplies, bulk food, and more. GreenPE® Shrink™ is just as tough and durable as other polyethylene shrink films, with the added benefit of being made with up to 30% post-consumer GreenPE recycled resin.

GreenPE® Film

Our 3- and 5-layer technology enables us the flexibility to have virgin layers surround the middle layer, which is made with up to 70% post-consumer GreenPE® recycled plastic resin. This technology allows us to add the highest amount of recycled content into the film’s core while keeping outside layer performance features intact.

GreenPE® Bags

GreenPE® bags are made smarter and stronger. Greencore® trash bags, recycling bags, and can liners get their strength from two layers of high-strength virgin plastic surrounding an inner core of 70% Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic. The sturdy institutional and industrial liners are durable and strong for all purposes. And, Greencore® recycling bags are the most eco-friendly option for recycling bags.

GreenPE® Covers

We frequently use our PCR in construction and home improvement covers like painter’s plastic and sheeting as well as seat covers and other barrier films. In these products, we use up to 70% post-consumer recycled plastic GreenPE® resin with virgin material that provides flexibility while maximizing strength and performance.

Follow along to learn more about our recycling journey! Find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

Welcome to Earth Week

petoskeyplastics April 14, 2022Carbon Footprint, Closed-Loop, Earth Day, Eco-Friendly, Recycling, Sustainability

We look forward to Earth Day every year, or, as we more commonly think of it, Earth Week. Okay, we’ll be honest; we believe every day is Earth Day. Why cram all the celebration and action down into one day when we can spread it out? And trust us, we have a lot to share about Earth Day.

For Earth Day 2022, we want to share significant articles and photos throughout our sustainable journey. In the 44 years since we started in-house recycling, we’ve made many sustainable advancements that we are proud of. We’ve used EarthDay.org’s theme for 2022 to plan our week. The overarching theme is Invest In Our Planet, broken down into smaller actions.

This is the moment to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods… together, we must Invest In Our Planet.
Because a green future is a prosperous future.
We need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably).It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.
https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2022/

We’ve come up with a schedule to mirror this thought process. Today, Monday, we will show you the first acts we took many years ago to become an environmentally focused business. Tuesday, we will share our sustainable innovations with you. Wednesday will be a throwback to when we implemented our recycling line and expanded our product lines to include those made with recycled material. Thursday, we will communicate how we are investing in our planet. And last but certainly not least, on Friday, we will celebrate Earth Day with you all.

Today, we share a video taking you back to the 1990s and the headlines we were making at a time when “sustainability” was not a common goal in the plastics market. When it comes to plastics recycling and sustainability, we’re proud to have history remember us as “Pioneers” and “first in the nation.”

We look forward to a great week celebrating our planet with you all!

Follow along all Earth Week! Find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter to see our daily updates this week.

Guide to Spring Cleaning

petoskeyplastics March 24, 2022Can Liners, retail trash bags, Trash Bags

As the snow clears and temperatures rise, many will partake in the yearly ritual of spring cleaning.

We may not be able to tell you what exactly in your home needs to get donated or thrown out, but we can make the cleaning process a bit easier by suggesting a few steps.

Create a plan of attack. Decide what areas you will be cleaning and what tools you will need. Gather cleaning supplies and bins to help you sort through your belongings. Create piles of like objects and then organize and put the space back together after you’ve looked at everything.

Get rid of the unnecessary. Purging your belongings can be a tough chore, but it’s essential to go through the objects that clutter your home and either give them a permanent place or donate them for someone else to love them. Are there decorations you no longer need? Clothes you haven’t worn? Time to let them go.

Go paperless. Like the knick-knacks and other objects in your home, papers need to be regularly reviewed and recycled. Decide what can be scanned and saved on your computer or digital file management system. Shred old documents with confidential or personal information and recycle the rest.

Give everything a place. Create dedicated spaces for your belongings by buying storage. Organize like objects in an orderly fashion to ensure that you’ll quickly find what you’re looking for in the future. Always make sure to leave room for growth. The odds are that you’ll be accumulating more things, so provide yourself extra space for future purchases.

Sanitize and tidy. While clearing things out and rearranging, you’ll want to remember the “clean” portion of “spring cleaning.” Wipe down commonly touches surfaces in each room. Take a duster and clean tabletops and blinds. Finish off with a vacuum or sweep to make your newly organized room look fabulous.

Buy something, donate something. Moving forward, take steps to prevent clutter from overwhelming your space again. A good trick is to donate an object if you buy a new, similar one.

What you’ll need from us for this project:

Greencore® Trash Bags get their strength from the two layers of strong virgin plastic surrounding an inner core of post-consumer recycled plastic. Our Flex technology increases stretch without losing strength, so over-stuffing is never a problem. The last thing you need is the trash falling out of a ripped bag! These multipurpose bags have an easy tie drawstring to ensure your clutter stays in the bag where it belongs.

Keep your home, office, or shop “green” with Greencore® Can Liners, made with up to 70% post-consumer recycled plastics. These sturdy, puncture-resistant bags are guaranteed quality and durability yet cost no more than traditional bags. Perfect for heavy-duty garage or yard clean-up jobs, these can liners are manufactured for strength. With sizes ranging from 10 to 55 gallons, an option is available for every project.

Greencore® Recycling Bags are tough enough to withstand being thrown to the curb on recycling day. Clear and blue-tinted bags are puncture resistant and durable enough to handle heavy glass and sharp cans. These puncture-resistance bags will be perfect for setting out any recycling you find during your spring clean. Of course, made with PCR, these bags have 3-layers and will hold it all.

Global Recycling Day

petoskeyplastics March 18, 2022Closed-Loop, Eco-Friendly, Recycling, Sustainability

Global Recycling Day, March 18, is a great time to remind ourselves of the power of recycling. Global Recycling Foundation started celebrating the day in 2018 and likens recyclables as the seventh natural resource along with water, air, oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals. “Recycling is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect our natural resources,” reads their website.

Petoskey Plastics started in-house recycling 44 years ago, in 1978. We annually recycle over 30,000,000 lbs. of plastic film per year. Our recycling program is a mix of post-consumer film from our participating closed-loop customers, post-industrial scrap from all of our facilities, and purchased plastic scrap from recyclers. Our closed-loop program is a partnership between our company and a customer that will send back their used film product for us to recycle back into future products. All our recycled material is sent to our Hartford City, Indiana, facility to be turned into recycled resin pellets.

So, what does this have to do with you? Our in-house recycling facility wouldn’t be able to operate without the help of end-users recycling in the first place. Across industries, we rely on consumers to do their part so we can do ours.

This Global Recycling Day, we ask you to keep recycling so we can, too!

While plastic bottles are the most widely recycled products, we encourage you to look at the other recyclable plastics and materials in your life. Always check what you can recycle in your local or curbside bins. Many local municipalities have different rules and capabilities. We can help point you in the right direction! View our collection of recycling resources here:

Bag and Film Recycling

How to Recycle – Store Drop Off

How to Recycle – Local

EPA

The History of Can Sacks®

petoskeyplastics March 2, 2022Sustainability, White Page

Recently, there has been a push to expand the Michigan bottle recycling laws first approved in 1976. Michigan’s Bottle Bill is only one of 10 in the United States. Already one of the most successful bottle bills, Michigan legislators hope to expand upon what items fall under the bill.

The current bill covers particular soft drinks, beer, and other carbonated beverages. An expansion would aim to cover all other non-carbonated beverages and allow universal redemption. Universal redemption would let customers return any bottle to any store. Other proposed bills would focus on funding for distributors and allocate a budget for contaminated sites.

According to the Bottle Bill Resource Guide, Michigan has the highest deposit in the country, 10¢, along with Oregon. Michigan has the highest recycling rate and has around 200 curbside recycling programs.

One-quarter of unredeemed deposits go to retailers, while the other 75% is allocated to Michigan’s Cleanup and Redevelopment Trust Fund. That money is split three ways between the Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund, Community Pollution Prevention Fund, and Trust Fund. The amount is split as follows:

80% to the Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund to clean sites of contamination in the state
10% to the Community Pollution Prevention Fund for educational programs on pollution prevention and toxic material release and disposal reduction
10% stays with the Trust Fund until it reaches a maximum of $200 million

The Bottle Bill Resource Guide says that “The presence of a bottle bill in a state generally results in much higher materials recovery rates–which benefits the ecosystem by reducing litter, and supports the recycling industry, which depends on a constant stream of recyclable materials.”

Petoskey Plastics became involved in the Can Sacks® market in 1974 when Oregon passed the first bottle bill. Then, Can Sacks® became a full product line in 1976 along with the passage of Michigan’s bottle return law. Full marketing efforts came along with bottle bills passing in Iowa and multiple New England states.

Our Can Sacks® have been dubbed The Smartest Container Collection Bags on the Planet®. These bags are multi-layered for strength and durability to hold the beverage containers without ripping. They are clearly labeled for recycling and have a printed fill line for bottles and cans, making them great bags for stadium, campus, and event recycling.

Of course, we use recycled material in our recycling collection bags — up to 70% post-consumer recycled content. The recycled content reduces carbon pollution by as much as 20%. This is an excellent feature for businesses looking to meet sustainability goals without added cost. You can find more information on our Can Sacks® on our website.

Nine Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags

petoskeyplastics January 28, 2022Eco-Friendly, Recycling, Recycling Bags, Sustainability

Have extra shopping bags that you want to reuse? We’ve compiled a list of nine great ways to reuse your bags before you recycle them!

Line small trash cans. One of the most common ways to reuse plastic shopping bags is by using them to collect the trash in your small bathroom or office trash bins. The bags are the perfect size to fit in those bins easily.
Keep in car. Prevent garbage from piling up in your vehicle by keeping a few extra plastic bags in your center console or glovebox. Receipts, containers, and miscellaneous trash will no longer float around your car.
Keep belongings safe. Not only can you individually wrap fragile items with plastic bags, but you can also use them to fill space in a box. Ball up a few bags to eliminate open space between objects. This technique will prevent easily breakable items from sliding into each other and chipping or breaking.
Separate clothes. Don’t let dirty or wet clothes mix with your still clean outfits. Pack a few extra plastic bags in your suitcase before your trip to use as a wet bag or laundry pouch. Your clothing will be easier to sort when you return from your trip.
Pack extra shoes. You might have a few pairs of shoes you want to bring on a trip with you. Throw them in a bag and add them to your suitcase worry-free. The plastic bag will protect your clothes from the daily grime that your shoes pick up.
Organizer cooler. Use plastic bags to make large ice packs for your cooler. You’ll keep your drinks cool while also preventing the need to dig through piles of ice to find a beverage.
Clean up after pets. Bring a few bags with you on a walk with your dog or use them when you clean out your cat’s litter box. These bags are the perfect size for taking care of pet waste easily.
Store painting materials. Keep your paintbrushes and rollers from drying out by wrapping them in a plastic bag. This will make it easier for you to go back to painting without washing and drying your brushes every time.
Protect plants. Don’t let the winter freeze damage your plants! This trick can help prevent frost damage. Cover them loosely with a plastic bag and secure them with a tie. The small layer of insulation can help keep your foliage alive until spring.

If possible, make sure to recycle your plastic bags after use. You can find drop-off centers at many grocery stores and local recycling centers.

And while you’re at it, make sure to snag some Greencore® trash bags made from recycled content for next time! Be sure to check out our line of sustainable products and follow Greencore on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for more sustainability content.

Petoskey Plastics 2021 Recap

petoskeyplastics January 12, 2022Awards, Eco-Friendly, Plastics Industry, Recycling, Sustainability, Updates

Another year of challenges, triumphs, and growth is now at a close.

While we’ve each had our share of struggles and setbacks this year, one word we would use to describe Petoskey Plastics’ 2021 is “celebrate.”

Our bright spots in the year are thanks to our hardworking associates, loyal customers, and supportive communities. Let’s look back on all that Petoskey Plastics and our supporters accomplished in 2021.

To kick off 2021, we reflected on how crucial plastics were during 2020 and how so many in the plastics industry stepped up to help the world as the pandemic took shape. Many joined us in shifting production to produce medical gowns, face shields, and essential PPE. These efforts continue into today to help keep our peers safe.

Petoskey Plastics, McKinney Chamber of Commerce, RTM Engineering Consultants, Rudick Construction Group, and Ware Malcomb celebrate the ribbon-cutting in McKinney, Texas.

As we moved into March, we announced our newest plant purchase in McKinney, Texas. We invested $30 million to expand into a new territory to better serve our existing and future customers. McKinney will be utilized to grow our sustainable product lines and support existing brands. We welcomed many Texan associates throughout the year, and today, our McKinney plant has grown with over 58 associates and 3 lines.

Sustainability scorecard from the first quarter of 2021.

In April, we celebrated Earth Day all week long by sharing information about our sustainable efforts. We sent over 50 Sustainability Scorecards to customers who purchased products made with recycled content. Those customers helped save 7,464,519 kg of CO2 in just the first quarter of 2021.

We topped that week off with the announcement of our GreenPE Shrink shrink film that can feature up to 50% recycled materials. This new product aims to help businesses reach their sustainability goals by choosing quality packaging that keeps the environment top of mind.

Petoskey Plastics executives visit the new McLaren expansion.

August came with a celebration of the Petoskey community through a contribution to the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital’s building expansion. This expansion will help McLaren serve Northern Michigan residents with an expanded ICU, upgraded technology, and new cardiovascular and orthopedic/surgery units.

In October, we took a week to observe Manufacturing Day and the great career paths in plastics manufacturing. There are many great career paths in the plastics manufacturing industry. If you or someone you know is looking to start a new career, check out our careers page.

Petoskey Plastics associates and NCMC faculty meet to share knowledge.

Towards the end of the year, we celebrated education by sharing knowledge with North Central Michigan College. We previously donated a miniature blown film line to the college to help expand the Engineering Technology programs. Programs of this nature help bring talented individuals into the manufacturing industry.

In 2021, we honored 42 associates who reached milestone anniversaries at Petoskey Plastics this year. These associates across 4 locations had a combined 465 years of service. Spanning from 5- to 40-year milestones, we have immense gratitude for the associates who have chosen Petoskey Plastics for their career path.

There will be much more to celebrate in 2022. We will continue developing our McKinney location, implementing strategic planning processes, and launching new products to support our customers further.

Thank you all for being on this journey with us. We are forever grateful for your support. We look forward to earning your appreciation and respect in 2022 and the years to come.

Eco-Friendly Fall

petoskeyplastics October 20, 2021Eco-Friendly, Recycling Bags, Sustainability, Updates

If you’re looking for ways to stay eco-friendly during the fall months, look no further! We have six suggestions on how to be sustainable this autumn.

Use solar-powered lights. Enjoy your outdoor seating sustainably by choosing solar-powered, LED, or fluorescent lighting. This small switch will save energy and keep your autumn nights bright. While you’re at it, make sure to add a timer that automatically shuts off your lights and reduces energy usage.
Open windows. Before you need to turn on your heat, take the chance to open your windows and let the breeze in. This break from using the thermostat will not only help your energy bill but also help the environment.
Recycle decorations. If you’re looking to give your home some holiday spirit, buy thrifted holiday decorations, or repurpose household items for fun, DIY décor. Luckily you can find many great ways to upcycle items into fun, fall-themed pieces on platforms like Pinterest.
Shop for local produce. Take advantage of the farmer’s market before it gets too cold. Buying local reduces the amount of food transportation and supports your neighbors. Stock up your home with fresh produce, especially before any big holiday meals!
Compost leaves. If you’ve been considering starting a compost pile, using the leaves in your yard is a great way to start. After collecting and shredding the leaves, you’ll need to pile them in your yard or a bin. Add nitrogen-rich items on top of your leafy base and build up with alternating layers. Make sure to research how best to care for and add to your new compost pile.
Use recycled bags. With holiday festivities coming up, you might be going through garbage bags quicker than usual. Make the switch to garbage bags made with recycled content (like ours) for an eco-friendly home!

It’s easy to be a little greener with Greencore ®! Be sure to check out our line of sustainable products and follow Greencore on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for more sustainability content.

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