Recycling Program Update

Ever since we launched our acrylic recycling program people have been using us to recycle just about everything. We have recycled a wave pool, corian counter tops, and trophies just to name a few. Don't be afraid to send us what you have. It beats sending it to a landfill.

The Option of 100% Reclaimed Acrylic

Through our innovation we have come up with an amazing option. In addition to using such amazing reclaimed items such as casters from Boeing that were used to move airplanes we are able to use reclaimed acrylic along with our new process to bring life into something that was destined to end up as air pollution. We are working on ways to get our hands on even more reclaimed material that can stand up to our tough standards.

Acrylic Furniture Recycling Program

Alright, check out our new take on the recycling logo. For the Aaron R. Thomas Acrylic Furniture Recycling Program we use our take on the classic "chasing arrows" recycling logo. Our logo, like our furniture is made from acrylic. And like our company is transparent in the way we do business, our logo clearly shows our efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle, not just for ourselves, but for everyone.

Um...What About Option C?

It seems like for some reason American Chemistry forgot about Canvas bags...We feel for the plastic recyclers and all because they are providing an important service but it seems like the answer of making more plastic bags so that they can continue to recycle is a little pointless. Whenever possible we use re-usable or recyclable materials for our packaging. Our boxes are made from cardboard that has both been recycled and can be recycled. We use bubble wrap that can be recycled from recycled bubble wrap. We provide free recycling on any acrylic furniture. Still, we are trying to do more and welcome any suggestions you can send our way. Help us create truly sustainable acrylic furniture

Real or Propaganda?

I found this article on American Chemistry's website. What do you think? Is it real or complete propaganda?

Thinking Green? Pick Plastic!

Article originally from American Chemistry magazine.

From shopping lists to checkout lines, more and more consumers are making choices with an eye toward the environment. But choosing the best option for the environment isn’t always as easy as we might think. Take plastic shopping bags: they’re resource-efficient, reusable, and 100 percent recyclable.

Unfortunately, a few cities have proposed banning recyclable plastic bags or mandating substitution with bags made from compostable materials. These proposals are being touted as a way to reduce litter and the amount of waste sent to landfills. While we all want to do our part to protect the environment, there are several reasons why a ban on plastic bags misses that mark.

Plastic bag recycling is a robust and growing industry across the United States, with the number of programs increasing daily. Millions of pounds of plastic bags are recycled each year and turned into various end products, such as durable outdoor decking, low-maintenance fencing, and new bags, reducing the need to produce new materials. Measures forcing retailers to replace recyclable plastic bags would severely diminish many of these programs.

Reusing plastic bags is another form of recycling. Surveys show more than 90 percent of Americans reuse their plastic bags as trash can liners, lunch bags, and for pet waste pickup. Every reused bag prevents consumers from having to purchase additional bags for these purposes.

The great news is recyclable plastic bags are an extremely resource-efficient choice, since they require 40 percent less energy to manufacture than paper bags. They also require 91 percent less energy to recycle, pound for pound, compared to paper bags. Additionally, the manufacture of paper bags produces 70 percent more air emissions than plastic bag manufacturing.

Although compostable products may provide a viable option in a very limited number of communities, it’s important to remember paper and compostable plastic bags will only degrade in a professionally managed, large-scale composting facility. Less than one percent of the U.S. population has access to these facilities, so the majority of compostable bags are likely to end up in a landfill or as litter.

Everyone wants a clean environment, but banning plastic bags is not the answer. Education and awareness are the keys to successful litter prevention and increased recycling programs. Plastic bags are an essential product and an environmentally responsible choice. For our part, plastic makers will continue to work hand-in-hand with communities across the nation to educate consumers about proper
waste disposal and ways to increase plastic recycling.

Our Sustainable Acrylic Furniture Blog is Spreading

Sometimes we are happy with the simple things in life. Today is one of those times. We now have our blog updates fed directly to our website under the section dealing with the sustainability of our acrylic furniture.

And While We're At It

We aren't limiting our free recycling to our own furniture. We will recycle any acrylic furniture as part of doing our part for the environment. Please ship any used acrylic furniture to:

Aaron R. Thomas Recycling Proram
2777 Bristol St. Ste. C
Costa Mesa, CA. 92626