It's a harsh world out there, they seem to say, full of pesticides and virgin plastic and bovine growth hormone.

Polli-Ber uses nano-molecular reinforcement for the polymer matrix to enhance performance, thus making it stronger than the average virgin plastic.

It is cheaper than virgin plastic.

Our polypropylene is 50 cents a pound whereas virgin plastic is 60 cents.

The recession has cut prices for virgin plastics, which manufacturers prefer, leaving many recycled plastics with no markets.

The conventional plastic component of Traverse biocomposite material can come from recycled or virgin plastic.

Another problem is the raw material made from the recycled plastic is more expensive, in many cases, than the virgin plastic.

"If we have enough of it," Mr. Biddle said, "with our automated process, we can sell it for less than virgin plastic."

Often they mix recycled plastic with virgin plastic in making new products.

You can use recycled plastic in just as many ways as prime or virgin plastic, including in: