Amazing disintegrating plastic containers...

HermitJohn · #1 01/06/12, 10:58 AM

Looking for something, pulled half stuff out of storage shed. Didnt find what I was looking for, but found mess of leaked gear oil and antifreeze. Seems the manufacturers are so worried about plastic lingering in environment from improper disposal, that they now make plastic jugs thinner and more agreeable to quicker environmental disintegration.

Good for people immediately consuming the product. Not good for long term storage. And not good for the environment when contents of disintegrating bottles leak all over the place. Though I guess good for manufacturer as he thus keeps people from storing stuff long term when its at bargain price.

What is modern way to store such long term? Days of heavy duty glass bottles and steel gallon cans are over and rare to find one. Glass and steel containers were getting mighty thin when they were last being used.

Plastic gas cans? They are bit thicker and last bit longer if not exposed to direct sunlight.

Harry Chickpea · #2 01/06/12, 12:47 PM

Chlorine jugs are strong and unlikely to be mistaken for having something edible inside. Plastic cat litter containers don't seem to have caught the "fall apart" disease yet either.

acde · #3 01/06/12, 12:52 PM

laundry detergent bottles even come with built in handle. I keep them to store water to flush with etc.

emdeengee · #4 01/06/12, 01:21 PM

Metal paint cans are still pretty solid but they don't hold that much. If they are not dented they also seal air tight. We have a chemical waste collection day in our city at least twice a year and the paint is all dumped into a special tank - the cans are collected and you can buy them. Everyone wants them.

Horseyrider · #5 01/07/12, 09:36 AM

Plastics can become brittle when cold, and if the contents expand, you can get splits and leaks. It isn't necessarily more degradable, but it may be.

Instead of changing containers, you might do better changing storage locations. Got someplace that doesn't freeze? A cellar or crawlspace, perhaps?

HermitJohn · #6 01/07/12, 11:45 AM

Gear oil and antifreeze containers leak from freezing and expansion??? Really??? Must be lot busted radiators and differentials out there that I dont know about....

And no, I dont have a cellar or heated crawl space.

ChanceTheRapids · #7 01/07/12, 12:13 PM

Oil and antifreeze bottles have a fixed volume and cannot expand, whereas a differential and radiator have expansion tanks / vents for the gases.

HermitJohn · #8 01/07/12, 07:48 PM

The expansion tanks are for antifreeze heated to well over 200 degrees under pressure. Doesnt get that hot here, though last summer felt like it did. Very little expansion of antifreeze at around 100 degrees ambient temp. And antifreeze shouldnt freeze, or at least it sure doesnt get below its stated protection point around here so no expansion from freezing.

Oil doesnt freeze, it just gets thicker. Doesnt appreciably expand at ambient temp.

If I havent made it clear, ITS OBVIOUS THE CRACKS ARE FROM DETERIORATION AND BREAKDOWN OF THE PLASTIC, not thermal expansion. THE PLASTIC IS BRITTLE!!!!!! If it were from thermal expansion on one of those theoretical 300 degree days, the bottle would pop, but the plastic would not be BRITTLE!!!!

Drizler · #9 01/07/12, 08:06 PM

Just a thought. If you are looking for gallon size long lasting containers take a look at the plastic cans that most house paint comes in. ----ed nice quality and clean up completely with almost no effort. They are flat top and bottom too for stacking and have a handle. What more can you ask for????

HermitJohn · #10 01/07/12, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drizler

Just a thought. If you are looking for gallon size long lasting containers take a look at the plastic cans that most house paint comes in. ----ed nice quality and clean up completely with almost no effort. They are flat top and bottom too for stacking and have a handle. What more can you ask for????

Can tell I havent bought paint for some time. I had no idea paint comes in plastic cans now.... Will the madness never cease?

Should also tell you that I have no access to empty paint cans. I do vaguely remember Lowes used to sell new empty steel paint cans with lid, but dont remember them being particularly cheap. And that was some years ago. If pain now comes in plastic, suppose they no longer sell empty steel cans.

How Do I · #11 01/08/12, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

Chlorine jugs are strong and unlikely to be mistaken for having something edible inside. Plastic cat litter containers don't seem to have caught the "fall apart" disease yet either.

Specifically Tidy Cat semi-clear 20 lb containers with the handle...I've had both used oil and antifreeze stored in these for about 3-4 years now. They are outside & get plenty of sunlight exposure year round as well. No signs of deteriorating yet. Maybe hang out in the cat supply aisle at Wal-Mart and make some new friends?