Recycled stretch wrap, an increasingly popular eco-friendly method of pallet wrapping, has caught the eye of many industries and procurement teams seeking to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Here, we dissect the pros and cons of adopting recycled pallet stretch wrap, considering its environmental impact, industry applications, product specifications, and its overall benefits and limitations.

Environmental Benefits:

Made from 30% post-consumer recycled plastic material, recycled pallet wrap stands out as a beacon of sustainability in an industry often criticised for its waste and environmental impact. Being 100% recyclable further boosts its eco-friendly credentials, offering a circular economy model that significantly reduces landfill waste and promotes responsible disposal practices.

Pros of recycled pallet wrap:

• Made of 30% post-consumer recycled plastic, this stretch wrap is holistically sustainable and environmentally friendly.

• Offers an innovative solution to pallet wrapping needs.

• Reduces reliance on virgin plastic and its associated environmental impacts.

• Supports a circular economy through ease of recyclability.

• Suitable for a wide range of packaging needs, from manual to automated operations.

• Hand and machine rolls cater to diverse usage demands.

Environmental Disadvantages:

As recycled pallet wrapping films are made from 30% post-consumer recycled plastic material, the quality of the plastics resins isn’t like that of stretch wrap made from pure virgin plastics. Pallet wrap made from high performance resins can stretch up to 300% or more. This means a 1000m roll of film can increase to 3000m in length. The Omni Pallet Wrapping Machines have a unique power pre-stretch function that has been engineered with high performing films to increase stretch yield. Maximising the yield of stretch film reduces overall plastic required to wrap each pallet, therefore reduces environmental impact, and stretch film costs.

Recycled pallet wrap doesn’t have the same elasticity or film memory as virgin plastic films so if stretched, the plastic will break easily causing wrapping downtime and plastic wastage. Therefore, recycled wrap is only suitable to be dispensed on a pallet wrapping machine without a power pre-stretch function. When applied with a non-power pre-stretch machine, the performance of recycled film is excellent. Hand wrapping pallets with recycled films also works very well. We recommend using the Elite Glide Hand Wrap Dispenser for effortless and effective application. In conclusion, machine stretch wrap that is made from recycled plastics are best applied with a non-power pre-stretch pallet wrapper.

Cons of recycled pallet wrap:

• Lacks the high stretch yield potential of virgin plastic-based alternatives, increasing the amount of stretch wrap used per pallet wrapped, therefore increasing plastic usage.

• Limitations in its stretch capabilities make it not ideal for certain types of pallet wrapping machines with power pre stretch functions.

• Potential cost challenges, as initial investments in machinery capable of delivering the optimal tension for this film type may be higher.

Industry Usage:

Stretch film is commonly used in warehouses, distribution centres and manufacturing plants as a method of containing and securing pallet loads of goods for storage and transit. Offering both hand and machine rolls, it caters to manual operations as well as high-output automated pallet wrapping systems. The experiences of industries using recycled stretch wrap have been positive, especially those with strong commitments to their sustainability goals, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility within their supply chains.

Product Options and Details:

Recycled hand stretch wrap rolls are 500mm wide, 400 meters in length, and 15um thick, ideally applied with an elite glide hand wrap dispenser for effortless and secure application. Machine rolls of recycled stretch wrap come in at 500mm wide, 1400 meters long, and 20um thick rolls. It is designed for dispensing with a pallet wrapping machine.