WHY ARE PLASTICS SANITARY COMPARED TO OTHER MATERIALS?

Plastic products add convenience to our everyday lives in many ways, but one of the main advantages of using this material is that it’s extremely hygienic compared to other alternatives. What makes plastic so hygienic and how can this come in handy for many products and industries? Why are Plastics Sanitary? The main contributor to this sterile material is that plastic is an anti-allergen. This characteristic makes it extremely difficult to attract dust and debris so it will help to keep the material clean. Being a non-porous tool, this also discourages the growth of algae and it will prevent the material acting as a breeding ground for small insects. Whilst many other materials can be impacted by vegetational growth, plastics are favourable in this case as plants cannot grow through its hard and durable surface. Uses for Clean Plastics All of the above properties combined make it extremely useful for a range of products that require a thorough level of hygiene. Kitchens Kitchen worktops and appliances’ all benefit greatly by being made predominantly from plastics for the obvious reasons. Being involved in food preparation and consumption, hygiene is key in a kitchen. The most popular type of plastic that’s used to make kitchen worktops is acrylic. This is a particularly useful type of plastic as its non-porous attributes mean water and food can’t penetrate the surface. Simultaneously, bacteria struggle to thrive and damage these surfaces as there’s nothing to feed on within the material. Due to the structure of acrylic, surfaces made from this type of plastic can easily be cleaned by wiping with a dry or damp cloth, making it perfect for families who have small children. However, if you’re looking to make your work surfaces bacteria free and completely sterile, you will still need to use anti-bacterial cleaning products. Plastics don’t encourage bacteria but they also don’t fight the bacteria off. Healthcare Equipment Any equipment used within the healthcare industry needs to be extremely sanitary and easy to disinfect at all times. This is where plastic also comes in extremely handy. Polypropylene, in particular, is used for packaging medical equipment as its non-porous and fibre-free, this will help to prevent contamination to the contents of the packaging. Safety and sanitation are paramount for all patients, and vulnerable visitors, to any healthcare facility, and most types of plastic resist infection and the spread of disease. In some cases, an antimicrobial additive is used within the plastic, to repel and kill bacteria if exposed to it. Food Packaging Plastic packaging helps to preserve food which is particularly helpful for transporting goods across the world. Keeping meat and fish preserved allows for long transportation times, ensuring it will still be fresh when kept on the supermarket shelves and in consumers’ homes. It’s also handy for ensuring fruit and vegetables stay fresh. Food preservation dramatically reduces the amount of waste produced by supermarkets and suppliers. Plastic’s tough and non-perishable exterior is also favoured when handling foods in stores, to stop contamination if customers pick things up and put it back on the shelf. It also acts as a barrier against moisture and UV rays which further limits food contamination. If you’re looking for hygienic plastics, contact us at Rayda to find out about the plastics we use and how their characteristics are beneficial for a range of uses. Call us on 01884 820955 or email us at enquiries@rayda.co.uk.

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