The definitions of the following terms only include information related to the packaging industry; the terms may have other definitions as well.
ASTM 6400 – a compostability standard that defines a plastic as compostable if it undergoes a 60% biodegradation within 180 days under commercial composting conditions
Biodegradable – capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other biological means
Compostable – capable of being used as compost
Ethylene - a colorless, flammable gas usually obtained from petroleum and natural gas and used in the synthesis of polyethylene
Extrude – to form plastic with a desired cross-section by forcing it through a die
Extruder - a machine that transforms resin into film and another name for a manufacturer of film
Film - a thin sheet of plastic that can be converted into plastic bags or tubing
Length-the side of the bag or tubing that is sealed (i.e. does not open) or the longest of the two dimensions of a sheet or sheeting
mil - .001 inches (i.e. a thousandth of an inch); not a millimeter. For example, a Ziploc® sandwich bag is 1.5 mil and a freezer bag is 2.7 mil
Poly Bag - a plastic bag made of polyethylene
Polyethylene – a plastic polymer of ethylene used for packaging
Polymer – a large molecule composed of repeating structural units
Postal-Approved – formulated to comply with the USPS T-3204 protocol for use on automation rate flat-size mail pieces. Performance standards met include haze, blocking, coefficient of friction and static charge decay
Post-Consumer Recycled Poly (PCR) - recycled from household waste (ex. checkout bags taken returned to the supermarket and placed in the recycling bin)
Post-Industrial Recycled Poly (PIR)- recycled from manufacturing waste (ex. scraps left over after trimming bags down to size)
Process Printing - high end screened prints and “photographic type” images
Recyclable – able to be recycled
Recycle – to treat or process used or waste materials so as to make suitable for reuse
Resin - small beads of raw plastic used to produce plastic film
Spot Printing - a printing plate per color is used to apply ink one color at a time
Virgin Poly - polyethylene that has no additives and has not been recycled
Width - the side of the bag or tubing that opens or the shortest of the two dimensions of a sheet or sheeting