Pros and cons of plastic containers

Plastic containers have become an integral part of modern everyday life. They are widely used for both domestic and industrial purposes. This popularity is due to the fact that, comparing the pros and cons of the polymeric materials used to make these products with metal or reinforced concrete, consumers choose plastic. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of plastic containers.

Advantages of containers made of polymeric materials

The main advantages of using plastic as a material for making containers:

• Innovative technologies and modern equipment make it possible to produce hermetically sealed containers of various shapes and volumes in the factory. These products are highly durable and reliable. As a rule, they are completely ready for installation on site and immediate operation.
• Polyethylene and polypropylene-based polymeric materials used for the production of tanks do not contain any harmful or toxic substances. They are safe for health and the environment, and are accompanied by certificates of environmental friendliness. Therefore, such a container can be used for storing drinking water and some types of food liquids – milk, syrup, and other beverages.
• Easy to use. The tanks do not require additional maintenance. Plastic containers are not subject to corrosion, do not need to be painted, are highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and can be used in a wide temperature range.
• Long service life. Subject to the rules and conditions of use, plastic containers can last for more than a decade. The polymeric materials used to manufacture these products can retain their original physical and chemical characteristics for at least 50 years.
• The light weight of plastic containers makes it easy to move or transport the product from one place to another. No special lifting equipment is required, even for large containers.

A great advantage of plastic products is the ability to produce containers not only in different volumes, but also in different shapes.

For example:

• Vertical tanks are widely used for storing process water. They can also be used as septic tanks or stormwater and rainwater storage tanks. Depending on the design, tanks can be installed either on the ground or buried in the ground.
• Horizontal tanks are the optimal solution not only for collecting and storing but also for transporting water and other liquids. The shape of these tanks allows you to use the available space with maximum efficiency.
• Flat square tanks are mostly used to organise summer showers, as well as to heat water for irrigation or other technical purposes.

Disadvantages of plastic tanks

Despite the impressive list of advantages of tanks made of polymeric materials, there are disadvantages of plastic:

• Temperature limitations. Depending on the composition of the polymeric material, plastic containers can deform at high temperatures, lose their shape, and emit harmful or toxic substances. At low temperatures, strength decreases, and even minor mechanical stress can cause cracks or other breaches in tightness and integrity. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the temperature conditions at which the plastic tank should be operated.
• Regular cleaning of the tank is mandatory if it is used for storing drinking water or other liquid food products. This procedure is extremely important to prevent the growth of bacteria that can adversely affect water quality.
• Susceptibility to strong impacts or significant mechanical pressure. Compared to metal, plastic is more susceptible to damage due to such negative influences. If you treat containers made of polymeric materials in the same way as steel or aluminium tanks, you run the risk of damaging the plastic. Not only scratches will appear on it, but also cracks and even through holes.
• Difficulties with disposal. While metal tanks can be easily scrapped if they become unsuitable, plastic products can be problematic. Some types of plastics are not accepted for recycling. If you need to dispose of them, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• High cost. Despite the affordable price level of plastic containers, some types of these products are not cheap. This is primarily due to higher strength parameters, the possibility of installing the tank underground, design features and the purpose of use.

The low weight can be called both a plus and a minus of plastic tanks. After all, an empty tank that is poorly fixed to the ground or roof can be moved by a strong gust of wind.
Having compared the pros and cons of such a modern material as plastic, we can see that tanks made from polymers are in many cases an optimal and very effective replacement for similar metal products.