Food storage and packaging have developed a lot in the past few decades. There are more options than ever before in terms of the type of container you’d like utilize.
If you’re looking for green alternatives for your foodservice requirements, it is recommended to use plastic trayware instead of paper. The plastic trays are made of recycled materials that are reusable for multiple times. They are also light and simple to keep clean.
DIFFERENT MATERIALS USED IN TRAY MANUFACTURING
There are several kinds of plastic to use to create tray. Certain types are described in depth here:
Thermoformed Plastic
This kind of plastic is heated before being molded into what you want. It is then cool and cut to size.
The thermoforming mold is clamped, and the heated sheet is placed on top of the mold. The air is then sucked from the mold, which causes the plastic sheet to shrink on the mold. After that, the vacuum will be shut off, and the plastic sheet is removed to the mold.
Thermoformed tray are strong and durable, however, they are more expensive to make as compared to other types of plastic trays.
Injection Molded Plastic
The type of plastic used is melted before being it is then injected into molds. It is cut into the size needed.
Machines for injection molding are comparable with thermoforming equipment, with the exception that the plastic is heated before being then injected into the mold.
Blow Molded Plastic
The plastic is then melted into the mold. The mold is then chilled to create the right dimension.
The plastic is then melted and is blown into molds instead of being injected.
Blow-molded trays are not the most costly to make, however they’re the most fragile.
Rotomolded Plastic
It is then molded onto the rotating mold and cut to the proper size.
Rotomolding is a common kind of tray manufacturing process. It is most commonly used for the manufacturing of large tray sizes.
Composite Plastic
This kind of plastic is composed of two or more kinds of plastic. The plastic is then heated before being formed into the shape you want. It is the ideal alternative for products that have to be strong and light.
TOP BENEFITS OF USING PLASTIC TRAYS
After you have learned some more about different kinds of plastic tray, here are the top advantages to making use of these trays:
Recyclable
Plastic trays of all kinds can be reused. They are a more green alternative to paper tray. Recycling means that the tray can be broken down and recycled to make new tray. These are steps for recycling plastic
- A) Take all plastic trays you wish to reuse.
- B) Differentiate the different kinds of plastic.
- C) Clean the tray.
- D) Place the trays in an recycling bin.
- E) Bring the trays that are recyclable to an area that recycles.
- f) The recycled trays will be demolished and repurposed into new tray.
Durable
Thermoformed, injection-molded, and blow-molded trays are robust. It is possible to use them a number of times without cracking or breaking.
This makes them a much cheaper alternative to paper tray.
Composite plastic trays are extremely robust, but they’re also lightweight and easily broken. The plastic trays made of rotomolded are the most robust, however, they are the most heavy and expensive to make.
Durability is based on the following aspects:
- A) Material
The type of plastic that is used to create the tray affects its strength. For instance, thermoformed tray are more durable than blow-molded trays.
- B) Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process can also impact the longevity and durability of the tray. For instance, blow-molded trays are less robust than thermoformed ones because the plastic is less durable.
- C) Design
The shape of the tray is also a factor in its longevity. For instance, the tray having sharp edges will be more prone to fracture than one with smooth edges.
3) Reusable
Plastic trays of all kinds can be used again. They can be cleaned, disinfected, and then used for food items or other products.
Reusability is the ability of the tray to be used several times before having to be discarded. This also decreases how much waste is created in the food sector. Food sector is the main cause of more than 30% of world’s garbage.
If you reuse thermoformed tray, you’ll reduce your plastic that is produced. Reusable trays can be a more eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper tray.
Reusability is contingent on the following aspects:
(a) T the tray’s capability for cleaning and sanitized
Sanitation destroys or eliminates all living things, which includes organisms like bacteria, viruses, and other parasites.
For instance, dishwashers with warm water wash and detergent is able to remove most of the tray.
- B) The type of plastic used to make the tray
Some plastics are simpler to clean and maintain than other plastics. For instance, polypropylene (PP) is a material which is easy to clean and disinfect.
- C) The design of the tray
Certain designs of trays are simpler to clean and maintain than other designs. For instance, the tray that has narrow corners and recessed areas is more difficult to clean and disinfect than smooth surfaces and corners that are rounded.
(d) The type of material or food item that is being kept in the tray
Certain materials and foods are simpler to wash. For instance, an item for storing raw meat is more difficult to clean than one for storing cooked food items.
(e.g.) The environmental conditions that the tray is kept;
The environment in the environment in which the tray is kept will affect the capacity of the tray to be cleaned. For instance, the tray that is placed in a moist or humid environment is more difficult to wash and disinfect than one that is stored in a dry location.
4) Durability
Plastic trays last longer than paper tray.
Paper trays can easily be tear or even ripped, however, plastic trays are less prone to tear or ripping. This implies that plastic trays can be used several times, unlike paper trays that can be used only be used once.
Plastic trayware is more resistant to sagging or fold like paper tray. This means they are suitable for larger weights, for example, when transporting material or food items.
5) Cost
Plastic trays are more affordable than paper tray.
This is due to the fact that plastic is a cheaper substance than paper. This means that using plastic tray can help businesses save money.
CONCLUSION
Plastic trays are a much more eco-friendly alternative to paper trays. They are recyclable and can be reused several times, making them more eco sustainable.
