Recommended Use and Practices for EarthFirst® Repulpable PLA

Michael J. Bower
Plastic Suppliers, Inc.
Plastic Suppliers, Inc.
2450 Marilyn Lane
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Phone 614-418-3141
Cell
614-204-5841
Fax
561-760-0237
Recommended Use and Practices
for EarthFirst® Repulpable PLA
Envelope Windows
How to run EarthFirst Repulpable successfully
and the differences between EarthFirst and
Polystyrene Patch Film
EarthFirst Differences
Differences from Polystyrene
EarthFirst Repulpable patch has many differences most are very positive and they are covered below along with
the negative. It is also certified for use by both the US and Canadian postal service (Copies in the Reference
Area)
1) EarthFirst Repulpable does not have a grain like Polystyrene and will not tear straight across like
Polystyrene.
2) EarthFirst Repulpable is highly resistant to scratching and will be noticeably free of scratching when
compared to Polystyrene running at the same conditions.
3) EarthFirst Repulpable has an additive to allow it to breakdown in a caustic repupling environment and
Polystyrene does not. This same additive gives the film a light green tint which will show the glue line with
great contrast.
4) EarthFirst Repulpable has great paper adhesion and may allow a reduction of patch adhesive over
Polystyrene (See National Starch report in the Reference Area).
5) EarthFirst Repulpable uses signicantly less energy to produce, is made from an annually renewable material
(Corn) and is just about Carbon neutral while Polystyrene is not. It is the environmental choice for many
groups who prefer our film over other’s due to it’s green footprint (Please see the chart comparing EarthFirst
to all the other film types in the reference section).
6) EarthFirst Repulpable is a compostable material while Polystyrene is not. It has been certified to comply to
both ASTM 6400 and the European Din Certco requirements (Please see the attached documents in the
Reference Section).
7) EarthFirst Repulpable has been certified recyclable by an Independent Testing Facility PTS (See attached
Report in the Reference Section) using the repulping process for paper.
Troubleshooting EarthFirst Repulpable PLA Patch
EarthFirst Repulpable has been run on just about all envelope machines successfully and at high speeds (Up to
1500 epm) as long as attention is given to the setup of the machine.
It doesn’t nick and tear
1. Most operators understand that Polystyrene given a slight nick will tear cleanly across the web; this is not the
case with EarthFirst Repulpable. EarthFirst Repulpable requires the knifes be set so the film cuts cleanly
across the entire web not just the ends or middle. This does not mean to bury the knifes, but by using a piece
of the film (Best) or glassine (OK) adjust the knives so they just cut cleanly across the entire web
2. Bearings should be in good shape as it will also affect the path of the cutting knife and should be replaced if
faulty. Also Synthetic oils will extend the life of the bearings and should be used if possible.
Other than this the EarthFirst Repulpable Patch will run like any other patch material, all it takes is a little getting
used to.
Reference Area – US Postal Service Approval
April 4, 2007
Mr. Bill Nordaby
Vice President Sales
Plastics Suppliers, Inc.
2887 Johnstown Road
Columbus, OH. 43219
REF: FY07-06, EarthFirst Repulpable 1.15 mil
Dear Mr. Nordaby,
USPS Engineering received fifty # 10 window patched envelope samples. Twenty-five envelopes
patched with Repulpable Matte Film and twenty-five envelopes patched with Repulpable Clear Film.
There was an insert with black printed address block and address block POSTNET barcode for
each envelope.
We ran both sets of envelopes on our DBCS (Delivery Bar Code Sorter) machine that has a WFOV
(Wide Field of View) barcode reading camera. The DBCS machines are the predominate letter
sorting machine used by us to sort letter mail. We ran the samples four times for each set. The
read rates were 100% for all runs and for both sets of envelope samples, which means they are
letter mail automation compatible.
Our Test Laboratory results follow:
Subject: Envelope Window Analysis
Two sets of window envelope samples were submitted to Test, Evaluation and Quality for analysis.
Correlated haze, gloss and reflectance were requested. The results of these measurements are
presented below.
Sample Description
There were two sets of samples, one identified as "EarthFirst 1.15mil Repulpable Matte Film" and
the second identified as "EarthFirst 1.15mil Repulpable Clear Film." Each set consisted of three
envelopes and all envelopes contained a delivery - address printed insert.
Methodology
Reflectance was measured on the delivery addresses printed on the inserts through the window
film. The ASTM D5626 test method "US Postal Service Optical Measurements for Small Areas"
was followed for these measurements, using a USPS ERM-2 meter.
Haze was measured according to ASTM D1003. A MacBeth coloreye 7000 spectrophotometer was
used for these measurements.
Gloss was measured according to ASTM D2457, Specular Gloss of Plastic Films. Gardner
glossmeters were used for these measurements. Gloss was measured at 20º, 45º and 60º angles.
45º corresponds to the illumination angle in USPS bar code reading equipment.
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Results
Table 1: Window Film Properties
Sample
Haze
Matte
21
20º
Gloss
19
Clear
8
48
45º
Gloss
44
60º
Gloss
67
63
99
The USPS recommends a maximum of 70 for correlated haze. There is no recommended limit for
gloss, the above results are presented for information only.
Table 2. Print Reflectance
Sample
Matte
BR Red
70
BR Green
73
PRD Red
60
PRD Green
67
Clear
73
76
62
69
50 min.
45 min.
30 min.
30 min.
Requirement
The ERM III (Envelope Reflectance Meter) is not officially available for measurements at this time so
we used the ERM II. If you have any questions please contact me at 703-280-7462 or email
[email protected].
Sincerely,
William Rucker
USPS Engineering
Letter Mail Technology
8403 Lee Highway
Merrifield, VA. 22082-8101
3
Reference Area – Canadian Postal Approval
4
Reference Area – National Adhesive Test Results
5
Reference Area – EarthFirst Environmental Footprint
EarthFirst
Acetate Cellophane
PLA
Yes
Recyclable
Yes
Renewable
Repulpable
Yes
Sustainable
Yes
Biodegradable
Yes
Recoverable
Yes
Compostable
Yes
Reusable
Yes
Economic Viability
Good
Fit-For-Use
Excellent
Small Carbon
Footprint
(<0.5 Kg/Polymer)
Yes
CO2 Equivalent
Amount
(Kg/Kg Polymer)
0.27
Energy for Resin
Manufacturing
(MJ/Kg of
Polymer)
Total
Environmental
Points
OPS
OPP
Glassine
PET
PE
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fair
Good
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fair
Good
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Excellent
Excellent
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Good
Good
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fair
Poor
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Fair
Good
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Fair
Good
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
6.80
6.80
3.40
1.90
3.63
3.40
2.10
27.40
80.30
80.30
86.90
73.00
90.00
16
12
12
10
8
7
Environmental
Point Scale
Excellent -- 4
Good------- 3
Fair----------2
Poor---------1
Yes----------1
No-----------0
Pending-----0
6
82.20 73.00
7
6
Reference Area – EarthFirst BPI ASTM Certification
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Reference Area – EarthFirst Din Certco Certification
Dear All,
I'm pleased to inform you that on the successful assessment by DIN CERTCO all the
EARTHFIRST PLA FILMS have been certified conform the DIN EN 13432:2000-12 as compostable
intermediates.
Each EarthFirst PLA grade has an individual registration number:
Grade
Registration nr°
EarthFirst® PLA Label Film
7H0012
EarthFirst® PLA Floral Film
7H0013
EarthFirst® PLA Window Carton Film
7H0014
EarthFirst® PLA Envelope Film
7H0015
EarthFirst® PLA Packaging Film
7H0016
EarthFirst® PLA MDO Shrink Film
7H0017
EarthFirst® PLA TDO Shrink Film
7H0018
EarthFirst® PLA White Label Film
7H0019
This information is also available on DIN CERTCO's web site (www.dincertco.de , certificate holder).
Every customer using the EarthFirst PLA film can use one of these registration nr° for the application
of their product in order to get it certified.
8
Reference Area – EarthFirst Recycling Certification
9
10
11
12
13
14
Reference Area – EarthFirst Shipping and Storage Conditions
15