How to Properly Handle PP Plastic Recycling

One of the most adaptable plastics on the market is polypropylene (aka PP Plastic). PP plastic is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic known for its durability and versatility. So, it’s not surprising that it’s the second most widely used commodity plastic after polyethylene (PET).

When choosing which plastic to use, you might want to consider the environmental impact the material will have when you no longer need it. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about PP plastic recycling.

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How to Clean a Polycarbonate Pergola Roof

There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in the shade on a beautiful, sunny day. One way to enjoy the outdoors without exposing yourself to the sun’s harmful rays and extreme heat is with a polycarbonate pergola roof. One of its many benefits is that the material is relatively low maintenance, so you can enjoy it for many years without wasting time on treatments or constant cleaning.

Of course, it’s important to care for your investment, and knowing how to clean your polycarbonate pergola roof will ensure it will be at your disposal for plenty of summers in the future.

How to clean your polycarbonate roof

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6 Benefits of Acrylic Sheet Aquariums

Mother and daughter cleaning acrylic sheet aquarium at home

From retail displays to directional signage, there’s no shortage of things to create with acrylic. And while you might lean towards using the material for your business needs, acrylic can also come in handy for your home—case in point: your aquarium. 

An acrylic sheet aquarium can make a fish lover’s life easier for a multitude of reasons, offering an alternative to the typical glass models. Read on for some of the biggest benefits of choosing an acrylic sheet aquarium.

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Why Acrylic Works for Directional Signage

Acrylic plastic directional sign for public restrooms

Whether it’s a store, office, school, or hospital, people need to be able to know where to go. Enter directional signage, which will help visitors and staff get to exactly how to get where they need to be. So, what is directional signage? And why is acrylic the best option for it? Read on for all the details.

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What is ABS Material

 

Construction worker carrying hard hat made out of ABS plastic material

When it comes to finding a manufacturing material that is tough and durable, but flexible enough to be used in an array of ways, look no further than ABS material. Not familiar with it? Here’s a breakdown of what is ABS material and how it can be used. 

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5 Versatile Uses of Styrene

Popular use for styrene in packaging and shipping

Whether you’re a hobbyist, a DIY enthusiast, or a professional in the signage and display industry, styrene has proven to be a versatile and indispensable material. Learn about the many facets of styrene and its five remarkable applications that could revolutionize your projects in the blog post below. 

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Lucite vs Acrylic: Understanding the Key Differences

Is it Lucite? Is it Acrylic? Does it matter? The terms (and materials) Lucite and Acrylic may be used interchangeably, but there are some differences. Here, we discuss those key differences and why you may choose Lucite vs acrylic in certain use cases. 

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All You Need to Know About Acetal Plastic

When you are looking for the strength of a metal but the benefits of using plastic, consider acetal plastic. The thermoplastic was originally developed as an alternative to metal due to its tensile strength, low friction, and high-wear resistance. At Acme Plastics, we offer a variety of acetal plastic pieces in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Keep reading to learn more about the material, including its properties and uses.

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How to Weld Plastics: A Complete Guide

The plastic welding process takes place when heat and pressure are applied to join two pieces of plastic together. The plastic is melted at the joint and then pressed together to create a bond. There are several techniques used to do this, so it’s not always easy to determine how to weld plastic. With that in mind, here’s a crash course on welded plastics and how to weld them efficiently.

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How to Cut UHMW

UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) has all the characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), but it’s also resistant to concentrated acids, alkalis, and numerous organic solvents.  The durable material is also resistant to abrasion, impact, and corrosion, while remaining lightweight.

With all of this in mind, UHMW is often used to create food service cabinetry, docks, boom trucks and outrigger pads, guard rails, high-speed conveyors, bumpers, pile guards, and dock fenders.

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How to Cut HDPE Sheets and Boards

When it comes to finding a durable and lightweight material with many uses, you can’t go wrong with HDPE sheets and boards. HDPE boasts high-impact strength, durability, and the ability to resist corrosion from weather, alcohol, and acids.

Once you figure out how you want to use them, you’ll also need to know how to cut HDPE sheets. Fortunately, it isn’t hard, but you do need to choose the right tools and keep safety precautions in mind.

Before you start, here’s a crash course on HDPE—and how to cut HDPE sheets.

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Understanding PEEK Material

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer used for engineering applications. Developed in the late 1970s, it was first used as a high-temperature resistant material for cable insulation. It is now used in numerous applications where high thermal properties are required—its high thermal stability allows PEEK material to be used continuously at a high temperature of up to 482° F/250° C for a long time and almost 750° F/400° C for a short time.

PEEK material is light weight, stiff, and has excellent mechanical strength and dimensional stability. It also has good combustion resistance, good corrosion resistance, and good resistance to x-rays and Beta and gamma rays. Its excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties are retained in high temperature applications, making it particularly useful in the medical/pharmaceutical, aircraft and aerospace, fluid handling, electrical/electronics manufacturing, automotive, food processing, and petroleum industries.

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Why Polycarbonate Is The Right Roofing Material For A Greenhouse

Whether you are a hobbyist or a certified horticulturist, you rely on a greenhouse for year-round gardening. If you are building a new greenhouse or replacing any panels, you need to consider a greenhouse roof material that offers light transmission and heat properties. There are a variety of roofing materials—each with its own unique physical and aesthetic properties. What you ultimately choose depends on what type of structure you are putting a roof on. While metal might be the right material for a gardening shed, you wouldn’t want to use it on a greenhouse. You want a translucent material that provides thermal insulation as well as protection. Traditional materials for a greenhouse roof include glass, fiberglass, acrylic, and polycarbonate panels. Polycarbonate roofing panels, such as  twinwall and multiwall polycarbonate sheets, can be used as roofing panels and greenhouse panels. The panels are an ideal roofing material for greenhouses due to their lightweight properties, cost-effectiveness, and insulation capabilities.

Here, we go into more details on those properties, plus a few more reasons on why polycarbonate is a great greenhouse roof material.

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What Is Starboard Material: Understanding Marine Grade HDPE

Those in the marine industry are probably already aware of the many perks of starboard material, which is often used to replace wood, plastic, or laminate items on their boats. But others might be wondering: What is starboard material? No worries—we have everything you need to know about this versatile material.

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What is Polyester? Essential Things to Know

From clothing and home furnishings to tires and sports gear, polyester is one of the world’s most popular textiles and is used in thousands of different consumer and industrial applications. But what is polyester? Since it is such a big part of our everyday lives, it makes sense that we understand how polyester is made, as well as its pros and cons.

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Tips for Hanging Acrylic Signs

Acrylic signs are a valuable tool for businesses. For a retail location, they can be used to attract customers and guide visitors around a storefront. With corporate offices, acrylic signs can help employees and clients find their way around a building.

While you want to find the optimal places for your acrylic sign, you also want to be sure to hang them properly so that they look their best and last for years to come. With that in mind, we’ve come up with some tips and tricks on how to hang acrylic signs.

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Best Practices for Choosing a Plastics Supplier

Plastic is flexible, literally, and figuratively, providing a wide range of use cases. It can used to keep us safe, such as bullet-resistant shields and eyewear lenses. It can be energy efficient, such as greenhouse panels and UV-resistant acrylic windows. It can used to provide style and function, such as acrylic furniture and retail displays. But no matter what you are using it for, you want plastic to be made from high quality materials from a reputable plastic supplier.

Acme Plastics uses the highest quality materials available to distribute, fabricate, and manufacture products. Then there’s selection, stock, shipping, service, and satisfaction to consider. At Acme Plastics, we are proud to offer all the above—and competitive pricing. Read on to learn more about these best practices that we’ve adhered to as a plastic supplier in the USA since 1943.

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5 Creative Glowforge Project Ideas

Whether you’re a DIYer or designer, a craftsman or a maker, you’ve probably heard of Glowforge®. If not, it’s a machine that can cut, engrave, and print on a wide variety of materials, such as leather, wood, and acrylic. Technically, the Glowforge® is a CNC laser cutter engraver, but the company refers to it as a 3D laser printer. Whatever you want to call it, you can use it to create custom signs and designs, jewelry, accessories, home goods, personalized items, artwork, furniture, and much more. The machine is similar to a Cricut (the Cricut uses metal blades to cut, whereas the Glowforge® uses a laser). That laser can handle thicker materials making it more accommodating for crafters and professionals alike. Both machines use the SVG file format to print but make sure any downloadable files used are labeled for the Glowforge® or as a “laser ready SVG file” when searching for Glowforge® project ideas. Being able to create hundreds of projects from hundreds of materials makes this machine limited only by your imagination. Here are just a few Glowforge® project ideas to give you an idea of what it can do.

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10 Marine Board Use Cases

If you’re a boat owner, you might already be familiar with the benefits of marine board. A form of HDPE plastic, marine board is stronger than typical HDPE. In fact, it is formulated and designed to withstand the harsh weather associated with oceans, lakes, rivers, and such. Not only will it not rot, splinter, swell or peel, but it doesn’t require any painting, finishing, or maintenance. All of this makes it a popular choice for boats and docks.

But that is just the beginning of what is marine board used for. With that in mind, here are 10 marine board use cases to consider for your next project.

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5 Fun Acrylic Sheet Craft Ideas

There is no denying that acrylic is one of the most versatile and user-friendly materials on the market. Although it is half the weight of glass, acrylic offers up to 17 times the impact resistance of ordinary glass. While acrylic can crack and fracture, it is shatterproof and impact resistant. It is also as transparent as glass and comes in a variety of color options, including black, white, red, blue, yellow, green, and more.

All of this makes acrylic sheets the perfect material for an array of crafts. From home décor and jewelry to lighting and accessories, you can find an acrylic sheet art idea to fit your needs and bring out your inner artist.

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Simple Tips for Working with Starboard

When it’s time to replace wood, plastic, or laminate items, many boaters and boat builders are turning to Marine Board, most known as Starboard. This polyethylene polymer sheet product won’t rot, splinter, swell or delaminate. And if that wasn’t enough, Starboard doesn’t require any painting, finishing, or maintenance. It can also be bent or thermoformed into different shapes and various effects, and while it can withstand most blunt impacts, it is easy to work on with woodworking tools including jigsaws, circular saws, drills, sanders, and routers.

But before you start planning your next project, check out these tips for working with Starboard.

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10 Creative Ways to Use Clear Acrylic Tubes for Crafts

From household items and retail displays to medical devices and more, there are so many uses for clear acrylic tubes. Not only are they versatile, but they are also flexible, durable, and affordable. That means you can also get creative with clear acrylic tubes with some fun craft projects you can easily do at home.

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5 Benefits of Using Acrylic Office Partitions for a Modern Workplace

After nearly three years of working from home due to the pandemic, a recent poll found that 9 out of 10 companies are requiring their employees to come back to the office in 2023. While many are offering incentives to come back—including catered meals and a pay raise—employees will undoubtedly need to adjust to the return of commuting and sharing work space with their coworkers.
One thing that could make the transition easier for employees is the installation of office partitions, which can create individualized space and privacy for each worker. And when it comes to choosing the right material for your office partitions, you simply can’t go wrong with acrylic. To prove our point, we have rounded up five great reasons to make acrylic office partitions a part of your workplace design. Acrylic office partitions can:

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How to Cut Corrugated Plastic Roofing (or PVC Roofing)

Whether you’re in the construction industry or a DIY-er in your own home, you want materials that are strong, yet easy to work with on a variety of projects. So it makes sense that corrugated plastic roofing is so popular. Made of polycarbonate thermoplastic polymer material. corrugated plastic roofing boasts an octagonal-wave shape (hence its corrugated look). The flexible, yet durable, material is weather resistant, remaining strong during strong impacts (including wind and hail) and temperatures from -40°F to +270°F. And corrugated plastic roofing won’t degrade or deteriorate over the years, making it a solid investment for any homeowner. While corrugated plastic roofing is easy to install, you will have to cut the sheets to fit your project needs. Not sure where to start? Here is a rundown on how to get the job done.

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What Are Sneeze Guards and Where to Use Them

Asia businesspeople discussing business brainstorm meeting together share data and write on acrylic partition stand back in new normal office. Lifestyle social distancing and work after coronavirus.

When Covid-19 hit, companies, schools, restaurants, and other locations put safety measures in place to help limit the spread of the virus. One item that became a staple in buildings across the globe is sneeze guards, which are protective barriers made of acrylic or glass that help prevent the spread of germs and viruses. In February 2020, the World Health Organization advised the use of “physical barriers to reduce exposure to the COVID-19 virus, such as glass or plastic windows,” while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that venues “place a barrier between employees and customers.” So while they were once used almost exclusively in food service and healthcare locations, sneeze guards are now found in practically every type of building imaginable. From students and teachers to customer service reps and restaurant workers, sneeze guards have become increasingly popular in various settings.
Here’s a quick guide on everything you need to know about sneeze guards.

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5 Reasons to Use Acrylic Sheets for Your Pergola Covers

 

With warmer weather on the way, people are ready to start enjoying their backyard areas. One way to do just that is with a pergola, which can offer protection from the harsh rays of the sun or a summer sprinkle throughout the season. That means you’ll have more time to enjoy a book, eat a meal, or simply relax outside with family and friends.

After making the investment in a pergola, you’ll undoubtedly want it to last for years to come—and if it can offer more protection from the elements, even better. Enter acrylic sheets such as Acme’s Pergola Roof Panels. They not only resist harsh weather and UV rays, but are also easy to install, customizable, and cost-effective.

Not convinced acrylic is right for your pergola cover? Here are five reasons why you should make the choice.

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Dangers of UV Lighting to Documents and Artwork

Just like our skin suffers damage from the sun’s UV rays, documents and artwork face a similar fate without some sort of protection from UV lighting. Here we discuss how UV light chemically affects documents and artwork. And just like we can slather on sunblock to prevent sunburn and UV ray damage, there are solutions for protecting for these paper-based valuables, too. We’ll discuss some of them, but specifically, the importance of UV resistance in acrylic sheeting to safeguard you documents and artwork.

 

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Recycling Polycarbonate: How, Why & Where

Acme Plastics polycarbonate panels and sheets provide a strong and lightweight option for a variety of uses and applications.  Continued environmental concerns surrounding synthetic plastics often leave customers with hesitation about investing in polycarbonate panels and sheets. The good news is some polycarbonate plastic panels are 100% recyclable, allowing you to be eco-friendly in your use. Below we will explore the details of how, why, and where to recycle your polycarbonate panels and sheets and how they actually are an environmentally responsible purchase after all!

 

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Greenhouse Market Growth: What to Expect & How to Stay Ahead of the Trends

The Global Greenhouse market is expected to grow between 2023 and 2029. Staying ahead of the trends, specifically advancing technology, provides a lot of opportunities for horticulture enthusiasts. In the article below we will explore the current state of the greenhouse market, future predictions, and the benefits of using polycarbonate and acrylic greenhouse plastic when building your next greenhouse project.   Continue reading Greenhouse Market Growth: What to Expect & How to Stay Ahead of the Trends

How to Make a Photo Frame with Cut-To-Size Acrylic

Are you looking to add an artistic touch to your home or workspace? An acrylic frame is an ideal way to present compelling artwork, photographs, inspirational quotes, or favorite cartoons all while adding a contemporary feel to any décor. When getting started with making a DIY acrylic frame you will need to decide which size acrylic you may want. Extruded acrylic is transparent, moisture resistant, and half the weight of glass, but many times stronger. Acme Plastics’ acrylic extruded clear sheets are available in a wide selection of thicknesses, sheet sizes, and can be custom cut to your specifications. Extruded acrylic is transparent, moisture resistant and half the weight of glass. Using a table saw, cut-to-size acrylic can be easily cut to make a frame or other DIY projects you may have in mind.

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Everything You Need to Know About Recycled Acrylic

At Acme Plastics, we offer recycled plexiglass as a green alternative to plexiglass and standard acrylic. Our eco-conscious offering of Acrylite proTerra, the recycled acrylic line of Acrylite by Röehm, is versatile and can be used in a variety of display setups. There are a multitude of advantages working with Acrylite proTerra that may not be as obvious when compared to competing materials like glass or other plastics. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the numerous benefits of recycled plexiglass and how it can enhance your next project.

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Plexiglass vs. Glass: Which is Better for Custom Framing?

Whether you are customizing personal family photos or original artwork, there are choices beyond your selected images. There’s the frame, the mat (or no mat), and the cover (glass vs. plexiglass). All these decisions are a matter of preference, but we’ll focus on the cover since many people are not sure whether acrylic glass or glass is better for custom framing. There are some things to consider when you are choosing between custom cut plexiglass and glass. First, know that one is not better than the other. Plexiglass and glass each have their different advantages and disadvantages. We break it down for you here so you can decide what will be best for your custom framing project.

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Twinwall Polycarbonate vs. Multiwall Polycarbonate: What’s the Difference?

It is common occurrence for people to confuse twinwall polycarbonate and multiwall polycarbonate. After all, twinwall and multiwall polycarbonate have the same properties while providing varying levels of insulation. Depending on the type of project you’re working on will dictate which of these two kinds of polycarbonate is the better fit. Below is a look at the differences between twinwall polycarbonate and multiwall polycarbonate and the insulation appropriate for various types of applications and projects.

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5 Plexiglass Use Cases in Manufacturing

Plexiglass sheets can be utilized in a multitude of ways in the manufacturing industry. Plexiglass is a versatile material that can do everything from protecting manufacturing workers by providing them with a durable, shatter-resistant plastic to make vital products that may help increase productivity and safeguard public health. Plexiglass sheets are available in a variety of thicknesses and is commonly sold in sheets, rods and tubes. One of the most stand out qualities that it offers is its versatility and moldability to fit nearly any application, which is vital in the manufacturing industry. According to piedmontplastics, “Whether you’re manufacturing need requires strength, longevity, or clarity, plexiglass offers numerous advantages over other materials. High among those advantages is its versatility in that it is featured in multiple applications.” In the blog post below, we will explore so the most common use cases for plexiglass within the manufacturing industry and how plexiglass can offer a long-lasting, cost-effective solution for your next project. Continue reading 5 Plexiglass Use Cases in Manufacturing

How Polycarbonate Sheets Can Offer Added Security

Polycarbonate sheets are perfect for a high level of security in a variety of settings. Retail businesses, office buildings, homes, schools, and sporting venues all benefit from protection against vandalism, the elements, and more.

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6 Common Use Cases for Acrylic Clear Blocks

Whether you’re into crafting or looking to make the most out of retail displays, Acme Plastics’ acrylic clear blocks are a versatile and practical option to consider for both personal and professional needs alike. And we offer a variety of popular sizes to accommodate every situation, or we’ll customize acrylic clear blocks to any specifications.

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How to Insulate Plexiglass Windows to Keep Energy Bills Down

With energy bills skyrocketing, everyone is looking for ways to save. Making sure that your home is energy efficient can help to keep your monthly household bills under control. One way to conserve energy—and get the most bang for your buck—is to install plexiglass windows throughout your house.

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Everything You Need to Know About Acrylic Sheets

In the world of plastic, acrylic sheets are one of the most popular and highly-sought out materials. If you are considering using acrylic sheets for your next project, but aren’t quite sure about what type of sheets you may need or how to properly care for them once acquired, we’ve got you covered. Acme Plastics has a comprehensive guide on the ins and outs of acrylic sheets and everything you need to know in order to properly customize, machine, and maintain them. Listed below are some of the most common questions our plastic specialists receive about acrylic sheets and the answers we share with our consumers when prompted with these very essential inquiries about our line of acrylic sheets at Acme Plastics. Continue reading Everything You Need to Know About Acrylic Sheets

The Future of Plastics

The plastics industry is evolving for a sustainable future. Plastic in and of itself isn’t bad. However, due to a societal emphasis on single-use plastic production and a lack of an advanced recycling infrastructure, many controversies have ensued related to plastic waste and pollution. According to spglobal.com, “Despite broad public sentiment that plastic is harmful to the environment, it is proving hard for the global economy to quit producing new plastic products. Unlike other ecologically friendly practices, attempts to eliminate plastics have not been directly helpful to the bottom line of many consumer companies. S&P Global Ratings forecast that plastic packaging is unlikely to be replaced in the near future for many of its current uses, as plastic holds advantages over some alternative packaging options like paper or glass.”  In this blog post we will explore several ways we can educate ourselves about the current state of plastic, integrate recycled plastic products into our daily minutiae, and motivate businesses to consider recycled plastic in their supply chains for a greener future.

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Acrylic Mirror vs. Glass Mirror: Which Is Better?

It’s a common misconception amongst many people that glass mirrors are better than acrylic, simply because they are more well-known. However, many consumers do not even realize that mirrors within their own home and offices are actually manufactured from acrylic. Not only are acrylic mirrors equal to glass mirrors, but they also have a plethora of advantages over their glass counterparts. Here, we will discuss the key differences between acrylic mirror sheets and glass mirrors, advantages and disadvantages of both acrylic and glass mirrors and ultimately which type of mirror you should use for your next project.

 

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5 Common Applications for HDPE Cutting Boards

While high density polyethylene (HDPE) garners high marks as a durable material in many applications,  HDPE cutting boards are popularly known for being used in commercial and restaurant kitchens, but they are not limited to the kitchen. There are many benefits of HDPE cutting boards as compared to other leading materials such as wood and bamboo, which is why HDPE is considered a choice material across many industries. HDPE cutting boards from Acme Plastic are ideal because we specialize in cut-to-size orders that can meet the unique specifications of your needs. Listed below are some chief benefits to using HDPE cutting boards, examples of popular applications, and reasons why it should be a top pick for your next project. Continue reading 5 Common Applications for HDPE Cutting Boards

5 Plexiglass Use Cases in Manufacturing

Plexiglass sheets can be utilized in a multitude of ways in the manufacturing industry. Plexiglass is a versatile material that can do everything from protecting manufacturing workers by providing them with a durable, shatter-resistant plastic to make vital products that may help increase productivity and safeguard public health. Plexiglass sheets are available in a variety of thicknesses and is commonly sold in sheets, rods and tubes. One of the most stand out qualities that it offers is its versatility and moldability to fit nearly any application, which is vital in the manufacturing industry. According to piedmontplastics, “Whether you’re manufacturing need requires strength, longevity, or clarity, plexiglass offers numerous advantages over other materials. High among those advantages is its versatility in that it is featured in multiple applications.” In the blog post below, we will explore so the most common use cases for PLEXIGLASS within the manufacturing industry and how plexiglass can offer a long-lasting, cost-effective solution for your next project. Continue reading 5 Plexiglass Use Cases in Manufacturing

The Ultimate Guide to Food-Grade and Food-Safe Plastics

Cooking is regarded as a science and rightfully so, but for those more adept at experimenting in the kitchen than in the lab, the complexity of plastics pertaining to food safety can be overwhelming. When it comes to food processing, packaging, and storing, there’s copious amounts of information to digest about the different types of plastics and their functions. And, knowing the difference between what’s safe versus not is vital for keeping consumers protected from any potential harm. Here’s the rundown on what you need to know on the subject, so you can be sure you have all the ingredients necessary to create the best possible food experience.

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The Pros and Cons of Plastic Roofing Sheets

When it comes to determining the ideal material for each roofing project it is dependent on what type of structure you are building and its unique requirements. Polycarbonate is the most popular plastic roof sheets in the industry and while it is very strong and resilient, it is also extremely lightweight and able to handle the extremes of temperature and all of its elements. While polycarbonate roofing may not be the top material for home use, it is a popular choice for other structures such as greenhouses, patios, sheds, pool covers, and even industrial warehouses. There are a multitude of benefits for using plastic roof sheets as polycarbonate for your next project. In the blog post below, we will explore the many advantages that plastic roof sheets can offer your next project and what type of plastic is most appropriate for the structure at hand.
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Why Recycled Plastic is Becoming the Hottest Building Material in Construction

It is a known truth that plastic more times than not gets a bad wrap (pun totally intended) because of pollution caused by single-use plastic and a lack of recycling infrastructure. However, recycled plastic has many benefits in the construction industry. By using recycled plastic, construction companies can save money, while also increasing sustainability because recycled plastic consumes less heat and energy than other building materials. It also gives plastic a new life beyond the landfill, which contributes to the circular economy. According to worldgbc.org, “Plastic is the perfect building material, “It is cheap to convert into building materials, available and easy to mold.” The material is durable, waterproof, and insulating, making it suitable for building in many different types of climates.” In the blog post we will explore the many benefits of using recycled plastic in the construction industry and ways that it can be utilized in a variety of building projects.

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Perfecting Your Patio: Using Plastic Roof Panels To Cover Your Outdoor Space

Advantages of Polycarbonate Roofing

Do you love your deck or patio space, but hate the rain, wind, or snow that makes it difficult or impossible to enjoy the space as often as you would like? Or want to protect your vehicle from the same elements without impinging on the view? Have you considered covering it? There are many ways to cover a patio or pergola and plastic, or polycarbonate roof panels are a clear – or color – option. Polycarbonate roof panels have several advantages over other leading materials such as glass or metal and are easy to install. Polycarbonate is ten times stronger than glass, making it extremely durable and virtually shatter-resistant against the elements. In this post, we will look at the many advantages of polycarbonate roofing and how it can be used to create a year-round or covered outdoor space.

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Polycarbonate Panels: Going Beyond the Greenhouse

When most people think of polycarbonate panels, they often think of greenhouses. It’s one of the most common use cases along with roofing. Surprisingly there are many other unsuspected places that polycarbonate paneling is used. In fact, according to shapeplastics.com, “Due to its tough and impact resistant nature, polycarbonate is perfect for any DIY home project where durability is essential.” Here, we will explore the wide variety of applications and places you may find polycarbonate paneling and why you may consider this versatile material for your next project.

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The Sustainable Benefits of Recycled Acrylite® proTerra

Acrylic plastic has many aspects that make it a sustainable material (reusable, shatter-resistant, less energy intensive to create than glass), but is also more difficult to recycle than other plastic counterparts. However, a new stand-out product, Acrylite® proTerra by Röehm now available at Acme Plastics, is made from recycled plastic and provides all the same benefits of acrylic while also being recyclable. In this blog post we will explore the vast number of sustainable benefits that Acrylite® proTerra has to offer and why it is a great choice for your next project or application.

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10 Places You’ll Find Expanded PVC Foam Board

PVC foam board is an extremely versatile product and is used in several common applications across a variety of popular industries. Due to its easy nature to work with, this material is fabricated and formed using traditional tooling methods and is also capable of accepting screen and digital print on its surface. Available in an array of colors, it is robust for indoor and outdoor use alike, which only adds to its appeal. According to wholesalepos.com, Expanded PVC foam board is a less expensive material to acrylic or dibond, although durable, it can deteriorate quicker than those materials. Ranging in usefulness from signage purposes to beer mats for pubs and bars, expanded PVC foam is truly all around us. Here, 10 unique places you may come across PVC foam board and how it compares to other materials.

 

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Repurposing Plexiglass in Our Post-Pandemic Life

Since the year of 2020, our nation has been in a serious search for the best protection against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Grocery stores, nail salons, schools, office spaces, hospitals, and retail shops alike were all looking for the perfect solution to safeguard against the spread of this seemingly deadly virus. As it turns out, plexiglass was the leading contender when it came to building barriers and protective shields for public spaces. According to an article from greenbiz.com, “Before the virus, demand for such plastics had been decreasing, as innovation allowed for thinner sheets in appliances such as TVs. As demand spikes, there’s a need for a sustainable, recyclable and ultimately circular option.” However, in today’s climate, millions of pieces of plexiglass sold to businesses and private establishments to create safer environments for this anxiety-ridden time, it leaves many of us to wonder what will happen to all these plexiglass shields and barriers when the pandemic is finally over? Below we explore possible ways to repurpose and upcycle plexiglass barriers and shields for life after the pandemic.

Continue reading Repurposing Plexiglass in Our Post-Pandemic Life