As we developed our wax melt clamshells and other products, sustainability was an important factor in guiding us to use the most eco-friendly plastic option. While PVC has long been used for making wax melt clamshells, we chose PET for the following reasons:
Environmental Friendliness
PET plastic is known for its recyclability. Unlike PVC, which often contains harmful additives like phthalates and chlorine, PET is a more inert material and can be recycled easily. In fact, PET is one of the most recycled plastics globally, finding new life in products like clothing, carpet fibers, and even new PET containers. By choosing PET over PVC, we hope to reduce our carbon footprint and promote the recycling and reuse of plastic.
Safety and Health Considerations
Concerns about the health impacts of PVC led us to seek an alternative for our wax melt clamshells. PVC contains chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which are known to leach into the environment. PET, on the other hand, is considered safer. It is approved by regulatory agencies for food contact and is widely used for bottling beverages, packaging food products, and producing medical equipment like IV bags and surgical sutures. Therefore, we felt it was the safest material for our clamshells.
Versatility and Durability
PET plastic offers versatility in its applications. It can be molded into various shapes and sizes, allowing us to craft unique sizes and shapes for our wax melt clamshells. Moreover, PET is lightweight yet durable, providing excellent barrier properties against moisture, gases, and odors.
Energy Efficiency
Another advantage of PET plastic is its energy efficiency during production. Compared to PVC, which requires higher temperatures for processing and emits harmful byproducts like dioxins, the manufacturing process of PET involves lower energy consumption and fewer emissions. Additionally, PET can be produced from renewable sources like sugarcane or corn through bio-based PET, further reducing its environmental impact and reliance on fossil fuels.