Shade cloth is designed to shield you or your plants from the intensity of the sun, thus allowing you to control the heat gain in your greenhouse. For your arbor, it is great for blocking direct, glaring sun rays yet will still allow for perfect ventilation. In the winter, it is great for maintaining the desired heat level inside your greenhouse. I’ve even read that some folks have used shade cloth to cover their RV’s or to reduce heat buildup on stone or concrete patios.

Installing a shade cloth is very easy, and it’s low-maintenance compared to other forms of sun protection. Made of UV-resistant, high-density polypropylene plastic fabric, shade cloth is lightweight, flexible and very durable. It comes in a wide array of colors; black is ideal for maximum heat buildup protection.

To install shade cloth, grommets are placed along the edges of the cloth to ensure even distribution of strength to hold the fabric in place. If you place it outside your greenhouse, all you will need is a sturdy cord and stakes to anchor it down on the side of your greenhouse. You can also attach the cloth inside your greenhouse using tension or curtain rods, or you can tie off each grommet along the framing. This works great for arbors as well.

Having the option to control the heat intensity is a great additional feature to having a greenhouse or arbor. So, if you have invested in either, take the next step and install a shade cloth. It will definitely add another element to enjoying your outdoors.

In the refrigerator and freezer sections you see still more foods in similar flexible, often re-sealable pouches for fish, chicken strips, dinner entrees, and more.

So, why the switch? And should we care?

The new plastic flex pouch is one of the latest innovations in modern food packaging made possible by advancements in plastics. This new flexible plastic packaging is actually a sophisticated fusion of various lightweight plastics and (sometimes) other materials.

And, yes, we should care because it does something really cool: It delivers our food safely, conveniently—and with an eye on sustainability.

Shoppers are always on the lookout for products that are easy to carry, easy to store, and easy to use. And most importantly—products that waste less: waste less money, waste less food, and create less packaging waste. Flexible plastic packaging does all of these things—very well.

To make this handy, high-tech pouch, food-packaging experts fuse together various super-thin layers of plastic films, depending on the food and desires of the consumer.    For example, there may be a polyethylene layer to provide structure, a polyester layer to make it tougher and printable, even a plastic/metal layer to keep out air—and maybe more. It’s hard to believe there are so many things happening in something so incredibly light. But that’s the key: each element performs an important function with as little material as possible.

The layers work together to protect our food and to keep it fresher longer. Drop it and it doesn’t break. Seal it and it keeps in aromas. Freeze it and it doesn’t crack. Lift it and it’s lightweight. Bend it, twist it, toss it in the bag—and use it when we need it.

On top of all this, flexible plastic packaging contributes to sustainability. How? Here’s just one example: it takes about 338 grams of glass to deliver a pound of peanuts.  Flexible plastic packaging? Just 34 grams.

It’s made with less material so it conserves resources. It requires less energy to create. It moves food more efficiently from the farm or factory to the family table. And where facilities exist, it can be recycled into new packaging or reusable energy.

So it’s flexible. Lightweight. Durable. Convenient. And it consumes fewer resources and produces less waste. Sounds like quite a package …

Check out this fun video to see how Dow is telling this story about flexible plastic packaging.

To change this, a local social entrepreneur has created a program called
A Liter of Light that illuminates the homes of underprivileged families by creating solar-powered light bulbs from a resource some may find surprising: used plastic soft drink bottles.

Volunteers for A Liter of Light begin by gathering discarded, clear plastic bottles. The volunteers then fill each bottle with water and a few drops of chlorine bleach (to retard algae growth). They then fit the bottle snugly into a custom-cut hole in the roof of a home, with the bottom of the bottle extending down into the room below. This allows the clear plastic bottle and water to refract the sun’s rays and scatter light into the house. A silicone plastic sealant applied to the roof and bottle prevents water leaks during rainy tropical weather.

On a sunny day, this simple device can produce approximately 50 watts of light in an otherwise dark room.

Because plastics are lightweight and durable, the bottle lights are easy to install and are expected to last more than five years. And the materials to produce the lights cost very little—or nothing, in the case of discarded bottles gathered by volunteers—which makes it possible for A Liter of Light to help many, many people. The program envisions installing plastic bottle lights in one million homes by the end of 2012.

In an area in which some households earn less than a dollar a day, the plastic bottle lights reduce household expenses, as well as the fire hazards associated with faulty electrical wiring and candles. And when the lights need to be replaced, the plastic bottles can be recycled and new solar lights can be installed for little or no cost.

People often find creative ways to reuse plastic products. These new uses can be practical (such as reusing a plastic grocery bag as a trash can liner), or they can be fun (like making a Halloween costume out of plastic bottles). And sometimes, they can help improve people’s lives by creating a solution to a big problem—in this case, “a sustainable lighting project which aims to bring the eco-friendly bottle bulb to low-income communities nationwide.”

Many community recycling programs are accepting more and more plastics*—and you may be surprised to learn how many types of plastic packaging can be recycled into new, useful products!

• Beverage bottles made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic are collected in most curbside programs. This plastic is often melted, stretched into a fine thread, and then woven into soft, durable fabrics used to make things such as clothing, upholstery, and carpeting. (Tip: it’s okay to leave the caps on the bottles; they’ll be removed and processed separately at the recycling facility.)

• Detergent and cleaning product bottles are usually made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a strong, corrosion-resistant plastic. It is often recycled into outdoor furniture and other durable products such as plastic lumber, park benches, roadside curbs, truck cargo liners, trash receptacles—and new bottles. (Tip: rinse your bottles with water before tossing them in the recycling bin to remove remnants of the detergent or cleaning product.)

• Plastic bags are often made with HDPE or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic. These bags are  collected at many chain grocery stores and large retailers, including Target, Walmart and Lowe’s. Plastic bags generally are recycled into plastic lumber for decks, fences and furniture – and into new plastic bags.  (Tip: before recycling bags, be sure they are free of food remnants, and remove any zipper closures.  Plastic wraps from drycleaners, newspapers, and many consumer products can be collected with plastic bags.)

• Plastic containers for products such as yogurt, cottage cheese, and margarine are now collected in many curbside programs. They are often made with polypropylene (PP) plastic that is recycled into things such as battery cables, landscape borders, cafeteria trays, and furniture. (Tip: some grocery store chains [e.g., Whole Foods] also collect these containers).

• Plastic foam used to make packaging often is made with polystyrene (PS) plastic that has been expanded with air. Innovative recycling programs can turn foam packaging into insulation, picture frames, building products—and new packaging. (Tip: some shipping companies, such as UPS, accept polystyrene foam packing peanuts for re-use.)

When you consider all the different types of new products that can be made with post-consumer plastics, it’s easy to see why they are such valuable materials. Getting the whole family involved in collecting plastics around the house is a great way to make sure this resource doesn’t go to waste.  So recycle these and other everyday products—every day.

* Recycling programs differ greatly; check to see what can be recycled in your community.

But what really makes the Pensmore chateau unique is its design. Pensmore’s owner set out to design an exceptionally energy-efficient building that is durable enough to last hundreds of years—a prototype for more sustainable future buildings. To accomplish these goals, Pensmore’s designers are making use of two innovative technologies made possible by plastics: insulating concrete forms (ICF) and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes.

ICF is a system for building walls with concrete and plastic foam. At Pensmore, concrete is cured between two layers of polystyrene plastic foam—and these layers remain in place as part of the wall system. The plastic foam provides excellent insulation, helping keep the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter and reducing the amount of energy required. And according to Pensmore’s designers, the ICF system will make the building up to 10 times stronger than a traditional wood-framed structure. The plastic also is less susceptible to damage from moisture or insects than wood, making it an excellent choice for a long-lasting, weather-resistant structure.

The designers of Pensmore are also relying on another innovative plastic building product to improve energy-efficiency: PEX pipes. Made with extra-strong polyethylene plastic, PEX pipes are flexible and resistant to temperature extremes. The pipes are installed throughout the building’s structure, and then antifreeze is circulated through them, extracting solar energy from panels on the roof during the winter and geothermal energy from under the ground during the summer. This allows a relatively stable temperature to be maintained year-round throughout the house with minimal energy costs. Because the PEX plastic is resistant to biological attack from soil or weather, the plastic “HVAC” system can perform effectively for many years without needing to be replaced.

Pensmore’s owner hopes his family home will serve as “a living laboratory for ongoing research into energy conservation and disaster resistance.” But ICF and PEX aren’t just experiments that will help Pensmore achieve near net-zero energy consumption: they’ve actually been on the market for building projects of all sizes for years now.

Sustainability is top of mind for many environmentally minded consumers these days.

Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to find useful, affordable, and stylish products made with recycled plastics. Many of these products also can be recycled again at the end of their useful lives, depending on recycling programs in your community.

Here are a few types of products that we all can feel good about purchasing:

• Affordable kitchenware in a variety of fun colors made with recycled plastics. Plastic cutting boards, mixing bowls, colanders, and tableware are durable enough to stand up to daily use, and plastic food storage containers can be reused again and again.
• Trash bags made with recycled plastics. These bags give you all the convenience and reliability of standard bags but take less energy to manufacture than alternatives, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Carpeting made with recycled plastics. Post-consumer PET plastic bottles are melted and spun into soft, durable fibers to make some brands of carpeting. And another tip: ask your carpet company about recycling your used carpeting. Opportunities to recycle carpeting in the U.S. are rapidly increasing.
• Countertops made with recycled plastics. Crafted from post-consumer high-density polyethylene plastic from milk and detergent bottles, these countertops can be installed in your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or anywhere else you need a durable, attractive work surface.

What products made with recycled plastics have you purchased?

We’ll give away one prize per week for four weeks starting April 9, 2012. Please see the contest rules here for more details.

A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

Submitting an entry constitutes your full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance

of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and judges, which shall be final and binding on all matters relating to the Sweepstakes

1) Timing: The Products that Help the Planet Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) begins 12:00:00 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) on 4/5/2012 and ends 11:59:59 p.m. ET on 4/27/2012 (the “Sweepstakes Period”).

2) Eligibility: The Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of United States who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry. Anyone found to use multiple accounts to enter will be disqualified from participation in this Sweepstakes. Employees and their immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, and siblings and their spouses) and household members of each (whether related or not) of the American Chemistry Council (the “Sponsor”) or Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (“Ogilvy PR”) or their promotion agencies, and family members of such employees, are not eligible to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

3) To Enter the Sweepstakes: There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to participate in the Sweepstakes. A purchase does not increase your chances of winning.  During the Sweepstakes Period, you may enter online as follows:

You can visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com and complete the on-screen registration form and in the comments section, comment on the following: “What products (if any) have you purchased made with recycled plastics?” to enter the Sweepstakes.

Entries will not be judged.  Limit one entry per person/household. Multiple Sweepstakes entries from any person/household will not be accepted. Entries must be complete to be eligible. All eligible entries must be received by each of the following dates to be eligible for that drawing and any subsequent drawings: 4/6/2012, 4/13/2012, 4/20/2012 and 4/27/2012. All eligible entries must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. ET on 4/27/2012, to be eligible. Use of computer programs and other automatic means to enter the Sweepstakes is prohibited. Any attempt by any entrant to obtain more than one entry by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void such entries and that entrant may be disqualified. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Entries must be in English. All entries must be the sole, original work of the entrants. Any entry or portion thereof that is, in the Sponsor’s sole discretion, obscene, profane, lewd, defamatory or violated the proprietary right of any person living or deceased (including but not limited to rights of privacy or publicity or portrayal in a false light) or entity, or is otherwise objectionable, will not be considered and may disqualify the entrant. Entrants may not copy or otherwise plagiarize the entry from any source. Entrants and winners acknowledge and agree that their entries become the property of the Sponsor, which thereby has the right to edit, adapt, modify, reproduce, promote and otherwise use entries (or excerpts of entries) in any way it sees fit. Any entry not in compliance with the above or which does not meet all the Sweepstakes rules may be disqualified. By entering, you agree to waive any rights you may have to the entry submitted.  Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by your on-line service may apply.

4) Random Drawings/Winner Notification: The Prize winners (one per drawing) will be selected randomly on or about the following dates from among all eligible entries received by the Friday of the previous week: 4/9/2012, 4/16/2012, 4/23/2012 and 4/30/2012. The drawings will be conducted by Ogilvy PR on behalf of the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Make it Possible^SM campaign, whose decisions are final on all matters relating to the Sweepstakes Odds of winning a prize depend upon the total number of eligible entries received by the end of each week. All federal, state and local laws apply. Potential winners will be notified by phone/mail. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and an alternate will be selected.

5) Prizes and Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): (1) Prizes: Sponsor-specified selection of kitchen products made of recycled plastics and/or tee shirts or other products made with recycled plastics. The ARV of each Prize is $100. Prizes are nontransferable and no cash substitutions are allowed except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to award a prize (or portion of prize) of equal or greater value. The Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied, by Sponsor. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes associated with prize.

6) Ownership of Entries: All entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned.  Entries not completed in accordance with the Official Rules or received after the Sweepstakes closes will not be considered.  Indecipherable or incomplete entries will be disregarded. No responsibility is taken for late or misdirected entries. Entrants’ personal details may be used by the Sponsor in accordance with their privacy policy, http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_acc/contact.asp?CID=16&DID=19.

7) General Rules: By participating in the Sweepstakes, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor. The Sponsor and its agencies are not responsible for technical, hardware, software or telephone malfunctions of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications caused by the user or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the  Sweepstakes or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the entries in the Sweepstakes or for any liability for damage to any computer system resulting from participation in, accessing or downloading information in connection with the  Sweepstakes. In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder of the email address used to enter will be deemed to be the entrant. Winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder of the email address associated with the entry. Proof of entering information via the website does not constitute proof of delivery or receipt of such information. Sponsor and/or its agencies are not responsible for the failure of any email or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems or congestion on the internet or at any website. The Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes; violates the Official Rules; or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. If, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, then the Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel the Sweepstakes and determine the applicable weekly winners in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received by the end of each week prior to cancellation. By participating in the Sweepstakes, the entrant agrees that Sponsor, its member companies, agents, retailers, advertising and Sweepstakes agencies, and all of their respective directors, officers, shareholders, employees and assigns, members, representatives and agents, will have no liability whatsoever for, and will be held harmless by entrant for any liability for any bodily injury, loss, cost or damages of any kind to persons, including death and property, damages sustained due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from entry creation, the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prize or parts thereof, if applicable or participation in the Sweepstakes or participation in any Sweepstakes or related activity. By entering the Sweepstakes, you hereby represent and warrant that you have read these Official Rules and are fully familiar with its contents.

8) Publicity Release: Submission of entry constitutes permission for the Sponsor and its agencies to use the entry (or excerpts of entry) for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation.  Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for winner’s name, likeness, hometown and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, including a winners list, unless prohibited by law.

9) Jurisdiction: The Sweepstakes and the Official Rules are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  In the event of any dispute, entrants submit to exclusive personal jurisdiction in Virginia and agree that any dispute shall be brought in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or the Circuit Court for the County of Fairfax.

10) Winners: For the names of the Prize winners, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com and click on the winners link from May 1, 2012 to June 1, 2012.

11) Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Sweepstakes is American Chemistry Council, Inc., 700 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002.

Stage a Hunt, Rain or Shine

Spring weather can be unpredictable, but rain doesn’t have to mean a rain out for your egg hunt.  An inexpensive strip of green plastic indoor/outdoor carpet is as good as grass if the party moves indoors.  It also helps define the play space.

An Egg is an Egg

Use plastic eggs to decorate an egg tree by using a pretty ribbon or bow to hang them on bare branches. Big bowls or cylinders of plastic eggs in pretty colors are really all the decorations you’ll need for this party but you can add birdhouses, bunnies, daffodils, and strips of grass to create a spring feel. Use plenty of pre-filled plastic toy eggs instead of real eggs then use them for the egg hunt later in the day.  This way you won’t have a smelly problem later if some eggs aren’t found.

Keep the Menu “Chill”
For most kids, parties are about play, so relax a bit and avoid hot dishes.  Deviled eggs are a great choice since you may be boiling and dyeing eggs anyway.  Keep the eggs cool over ice at the party.  This plastic deviled egg tray has a compartment for ice, but two different sized bowls would work just as well.  Use plastic Easter-themed cookie cutters to cut sandwiches into fun shapes. Include lots of “rabbit” food on the menu. A platter of carrots and ranch dip is easy and can be purchased ready-cut.  Apple wedges served with peanut butter for dipping is another healthy choice. Pink and yellow lemonade or drink mixes in fun party colors is always easy and affordable. Serve in clear plastic cups and your beverages become a decoration.

Party Fun

A colorful craft table is always a good way to keep kids busy at a party and it’s a great idea to have designated people to lead the fun. Use an inexpensive bright colored plastic table cloth to make the area festive. You can find tons of great craft ideas online or buy do-it-yourself kits in stores. Fill plastic pails or bowls with your supplies and provide children with plastic blunt-edged scissors for their projects. I like is to have dyed eggs on hand and give the kids lots of stickers, glitter glue, flowers, and ribbon to customize their own eggs.  Older kids can experiment with plastic sequins, buttons, and acrylic jewels to make really elegant eggs.  Another great idea is to hire a former teacher or an artsy teenager to don a bunny suit and assist the kids with craft projects.

I hope this helps make your party hopping good fun for everyone. Hop on over to Martie Knows Parties.com for more great tips, including instructions on how to make a Peeps cake or if you’re looking to spice up an Easter dinner, try my amazing bourbon ham.

Here are some examples:

Let the Sun Shine In: Home features that provide natural light are becoming more popular—even in basements. For example, RockWell Inc. creates plastic window wells to bring more natural light into dark basements. Because they’re made to look like stone, they have a high-end feel, but with the benefits of plastic construction: they’re durable, UV-stable, resistant to extreme temperatures, and won’t rust or rot. With built-in steps, the window wells can even assist your family’s escape in an emergency.

Recharge Your Batteries: CurrentWerks has created plastic electrical faceplates that make charging your electronics more convenient. By adding USB ports to typical AC electrical outlets, you can plug in your USB powered devices and regular electronics—and use or recharge everything at the same time. The ports draw no standby (vampire) power when not in use.

Relax … It’s Plastic!: Sterling uses a new plastic composite material—an economical, beautiful, and convenient alternative to traditional porcelain—to create sinks, baths, showers and whirlpools. Vikrell^® is a pressure- and heat-molded material made with a mixture of polyester plastic and glass-reinforced plastics. Fixtures made with this material are lighter and easier to install than porcelain, according to the manufacturer. The color is integrated with the material so any chips blend in, and the material is stain- and heat-resistant.

Paving the Way: AZEK VAST® Composite Pavers made with recycled plastics allow you to create durable and affordable patios, driveways, and walkways in less time. The product’s installation system allows contractors (or do-it-yourselfers) to simply insert pavers into a grid system, which keeps the pavers neatly aligned to reduce installation time by more than 65 percent, according to the manufacturer. Made with up to 95 percent recycled materials, the pavers are strong, durable, and look like concrete. The manufacturer claims they require 94 percent less energy to make than concrete—paving their way to sustainability.

To see more of the innovative ways plastics are used in building and construction, check out our photo gallery here.