By Eliane Portillo

The President of the National Association of the Plastic Industries (ANIPAC), Eduardo Martinez Hernandez, reported that over 2,500 tons of polyethylene and PVC will be used in the electoral process in 2012 in Mexico.

According to information provided by ANIPAC, 120 companies in the plastics industry are involved in the production of materials that will be part of the elections, and expect that sales will generate revenue of $300 million pesos. This means that sales of plastic will be 30% higher compared to the previous year. From the 2,500 tons of plastic used, 1,000 tons will be for the production of banners and promotional items, while about 1,500 tons of plastic will be used in polling booths throughout the country and the development of other products such as banners, bags, and propaganda in pens and other items.

The leaders of the sector, however, urge parties to hire national companies for the production of promotional pens, because between 60% and 70% come from China and are of lower quality, which affects the national industry.

After the elections, each party is responsible for the recovery of its propaganda, as well as to provide information on the final disposition of waste.

It is expected that these materials  of which 80% are recyclable  are reused, because these are clean and cheap materials that can be sold and turned into useful articles for the population, said the President of ANIPAC.