NEWS

“Plastic Crates” mean new life for old Polycarbonate

Before: Wooden crates require large quantities of OSB, (Oriented Strand Board, also referred to as "chipboard").

After: This crate was made with old polycarbonate, which was part of a greenhouse roof for over 20 years!  The large bright label alerts the customer to the "Green" reasons why this crate looks different.  Note that the old polycarbonate still has "shade paint" on it!

Press Release

Feb 23, 2009

“Plastic Crates” mean new life for old Polycarbonate

For Immediate Release

Edgerton, WI –  Green-Tek, Inc, the North American Sales Leader in Multiwall and Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheet, has announced a new Polycarbonate Recycling program for its customers.  For the first time ever in the industry, Multiwall Polycarbonate Users, (typically greenhouse growers, plastic distributors, and architectural customers) can return their years-old material back to Green-Tek when they purchase new sheets. 

Historically, polycarbonate receives a Recycling #7, or “other,” meaning that it is not recycled.  Green-Tek utilized an ‘out of the crate’ solution, replacing the OSB wooden sides of its crates with aged, used polycarbonate sheets; some being over 20 years old. The Return Program has been operating quietly since last year on a trial basis.  The company is now ready to promote all of its benefits, and the quantities involved to date have been substantial.

“Last Year, we built and shipped hundreds of wooden crates filled with our new polycarbonate glazing sheets. Lined up end to end, these crates would stretch nearly six miles,” said Paul Jacobson, Green-Tek President.  “Our new Recycled Polycarbonate Crates are a totally new, creative way that we are diverting old plastic sheets from landfills.  Furthermore, we are sparing tons and tons of trees from being chipped up into OSB.” (“chipboard” used to make the sides of the crates)  Indeed, the program also saves end users the expenses of disposal of as well.

“This is a fantastic program for any customer considering replacing old polycarbonate,” Jacobson added.  “While there are some rules, the sheets can be quite dusty, yellowed, hail damaged, and downright ugly.”  Once made into crates, the company places large bright labels on the outside, notifying customers that their new polycarbonate sheets are protected by old ones.  Jacobson claims that he has yet to receive a freight damage claim for one of his “plastic crates.”

 Although based in Wisconsin, the company has already received old sheets from as far away as Colorado, as well as various points around the Midwest.  Customers should contact their Green-Tek distributor for more information.

 For More: sales@green-tek.com   800-747-6440   608-754-7336

DYNAGLAS is available in multiple tints for any commercial greenhouse application, including clear, SolarSoft™, white/opal, and solar gray.  DYNAGLAS  polycarbonate sheets offer all the benefits of polycarbonate glazing, such as high impact resistance, excellent durability, and 99.9% UV blocking.  DYNAGLAS PLUS features built-in condensate control that carries a 10-year warranty.

DynaGlas Brochure

DynaGlas Technical and Install Guide

SolarSoft Data Sheet

ThermaGlas, a registered trademark of Palram, is the brand name for all of Palram America's multi-layer polycarbonateglazing panels. The product was first introduced in North America in 1995. Since then, more than the product has beeninstalled world-wide. ThermaGlas is manufactured in Kutztown, PA and in England. The two factories work underISO9002 certification specifications and produce many other polycarbonate products for various industries worldwide.ThermaGlas products are designed and engineered specifically for commercial greenhouse use. Most ThermaGlasproducts are available in 4-foot or 6-foot widths in clear, or with specially formulated pigmentations. ThermaGlas offers 99.5% UV protection. "Plus" refers to proprietary, guaranteed built-in condensate control: In general, polycarbonate is inherently susceptible to condensate formation, especially when used to cover greenhouseenvironments. ThermaGlas Plus is made with an exclusive manufacturing process that results in one of the the industry's best condensate control mechanisms and it features a 10-year condensate control warranty. To review what causescondensation and the adverse effects it has on a greenhouse production.  Because effective condensate control is such a critical need for greenhouse growers, the "Plus" condensate control feature is now built-in to every ThermaGlas product, unless otherwise noted. UV2™ offers double-sided UV protection for open-roof greenhouse applications: ThermaGlas UV2™ is Palram's registered trademark for all multi-layer polycarbonate products featuring double-sided UV protection. The product was designed and engineered specifically for Open Roof Greenhouse applications where glazing panels are exposed to the sun's damaging UV rays both on the outside of the panel and on the inside of the panel when the roof is open. Most ThermaGlas products can be produced with UV2 protection.

PDF of ThermaGlas