Several industries will tell students about the benefits of plastic in an Earth Week-related demonstration.

The department of technology and the Society of Plastic Engineers are sponsoring “Plastics and the Environment” Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center, Capitol Room South.

Lars Jensen, president of the SPE, said representatives from companies like Amoco, Polystyrene Co., Illinois Tool Works, and Hi-Cone Division will be at NIU “in pursuit of higher education.”

Students are welcome to stop by the information tables, he said.

Jensen said the event is a two-way education. The companies want to learn from the students as well as inform them.

“Students can absorb information and make their own decisions,” Jensen said.

“The companies are more than happy to come here,” Jensen said.

Jensen said he hopes Earth First also will participate.

The department of technology and SPE will have key chains made of recycled plastic, Jensen said.

Jensen said plastic is a good solution to the waste problem because the material can be reduced in production, recycled after use and burnt cleanly into energy. If it ends up in a landfill, it will not harm the earth the way other waste does, Jensen said.