Snack Wrappers: Plastic Pollution In Our Daily Lives

Snack wrappers are typically made from a combination of plastic and aluminium, also known as metallised plastic or metallised film. This combination of materials makes snack wrappers difficult to recycle as the two materials are challenging to separate. Flexible plastic, in particular, can cause issues in recycling machinery, leading to costly repairs and halted plant operations. The difficulty of recycling snack wrappers has resulted in them often being incinerated or sent to landfills. However, some companies, such as TerraCycle in the US, UK, and Australia, specialise in recycling these materials. The presence of plastic in snack wrappers has raised health concerns due to the potential release of undesirable chemicals, such as plasticizers, into food products.

Energy bar wrappers are often made from two layers of polypropylene plastic with aluminium sandwiched in between

Energy bar wrappers are typically made from two layers of polypropylene plastic with aluminium sandwiched in between. This construction is a type of multi-layered flexible film, which was first developed in the 1960s with NASA's Echo II balloon. The balloon was constructed from a layer of aluminium foil between two layers of Mylar film. Food companies quickly adopted the technology to package their goods.

The two layers of polypropylene plastic provide a seal and help to keep the wrapper intact, while the aluminium layer provides additional protection. This combination of materials is effective at keeping the bars fresh, tasty, and healthy for extended periods. The aluminium layer also helps to prevent the bars from being crushed or damaged during transit.

However, this type of packaging is not very sustainable. The wrappers are never made with recycled content and are extremely difficult to recycle. Flexible film can cause issues for recycling programs as it gets caught in the gears of sorting equipment, leading to costly repairs and disruptions.

Despite these challenges, some companies, such as General Mills, have found ways to recycle the plastic in energy bar wrappers. They have created a synthetic lumber and decking material made from the recycled plastic. Additionally, some programs, like the one sponsored by Clif Bar, accept foil-lined energy bar wrappers for recycling. However, it is important to note that the collection and shipping of these wrappers can have a carbon footprint, and the upcycling process may not always be ecologically beneficial.

Flexible plastic and aluminium are hard to separate in the recycling process, so wrappers often end up in mixed waste

Snack wrappers are typically made of flexible plastic, which can be recycled. However, the recycling process for plastic is more complicated than that of other materials due to the variety of plastic types and the presence of additives such as dyes and fillers. This complexity can create economic and environmental challenges, as certain plastics may require more energy to recycle than the problems they solve.

When it comes to recycling snack wrappers, the challenge lies in separating the flexible plastic from other materials, especially aluminium. Flexible plastic and aluminium are often combined in packaging to create a barrier that protects the product from moisture and oxygen, extending its shelf life. While aluminium is highly recyclable and can be melted down and reused indefinitely, the combination of flexible plastic and aluminium presents challenges during the recycling process.

The process of separating flexible plastic and aluminium can be difficult and costly. One method involves shredding the material and then using chemical or physical processes to separate the two materials. However, this method can be energy-intensive and may not always be environmentally friendly. Another method is burning the composite material to obtain aluminium, but this can result in the loss of plastic and produce secondary pollution, such as air pollution.

To address the challenge of separating flexible plastic and aluminium, specialised recycling machines have been developed. These machines crush and grind the composite material into small particles or powders, and then use techniques like electrostatic separation to isolate the plastic and aluminium granules or powders. While these machines offer a cleaner and more efficient solution, they may not be accessible to everyone, and the process of separating these materials remains a complex task for the recycling industry.

TerraCycle in the US and UK, and the Recycle program in Australia, accept wrappers for recycling

Plastic wrappers are a significant contributor to environmental pollution, with many ending up in waterways and oceans, harming wildlife and ecosystems. To address this issue, companies like TerraCycle in the US and UK and the Recycle program in Australia offer innovative recycling solutions for snack wrappers, aiming to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

TerraCycle is a leading name in the recycling industry, with over 20 years of experience in finding new uses for trash. They offer a range of free and paid recycling programs for typically hard-to-recycle waste streams, including snack and candy wrappers. Their Zero Waste Box and Pouch solutions allow individuals and organizations to collect and recycle flexible plastic-based snack packaging and wrappers of any brand and size. These programs provide simple guidelines and prepaid shipping labels, making it convenient for users to participate.

Once the waste is received by TerraCycle, it is sorted based on material characteristics and composition using advanced technologies. The different material types are then cleaned and sent to third-party partners to be processed into usable forms. This recycled raw material is sold to manufacturing companies, completing the recycling journey and giving new life to waste.

In the US, TerraCycle follows state e-waste regulations and does not accept electronic devices covered by these regulations, such as those mandated by California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003. Similarly, in the UK, TerraCycle adheres to local regulations and guidelines for waste management and recycling. By working with communities, organizations, and brands, they develop custom supply chains to collect and recycle unique materials, including beach plastic and festival waste.

The Recycle program in Australia shares a similar commitment to reducing plastic waste. By accepting snack wrappers for recycling, they keep these non-biodegradable materials out of landfills and the environment, contributing to a cleaner and healthier planet. This collective effort by individuals, communities, and organizations is crucial in the fight against plastic pollution and its harmful impact on our natural world.

Metalized wrappers are separated and some material is landfilled, e.g. 82% plastic is recycled, 18% foil is discarded

Flexible film, in general, is terrible for recycling programs. This is because metalized films are made of multiple layers of materials, including plastic (PP or PET) and metal (aluminum). They may also contain paper, several layers of plastic, or numerous layers of metal. The exact composition of the metalized film will determine the recycling process. For example, a process that works for PP-based film may not be suitable for recycling PET-based film.

Metalized wrappers are difficult to recycle because of their multi-layered composition. When recycled metalized wrappers are separated, some of the materials are often landfilled. For instance, in the case of a wrapper that is 18% foil and 82% plastic, the foil is discarded, and the plastic is recycled.

The difficulty in recycling metalized films is further exacerbated by the fact that they are rarely made with recycled content. This means that despite their ability to preserve food and display gorgeous prints, they come at the expense of sustainability.

The accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and the natural environment is a significant environmental issue. Plastic waste constituted approximately 13.7% of total MSW (managed) nationwide in the US in 2019. While some states had lower percentages (around 10%), others had much higher percentages (over 18%). The ubiquity of plastic has led to disposal challenges, and most plastics do not biodegrade, persisting for centuries or millennia.

To address the environmental impact of plastic waste, advancements in sorting technologies and recycling processes are necessary.

Curbside recycling programs often don't accept foil-lined wrappers as flexible film gets caught in the gears of recycling equipment

Snack wrappers are often made of a combination of plastic and aluminium, also known as metallised plastic or metallised film. This material is challenging to recycle because the two materials are difficult to separate. Flexible film, in general, is problematic for recycling programs as it can get caught in the gears of recycling equipment, leading to costly repairs and disruptions in plant operations. As a result, many curbside recycling programs do not accept foil-lined wrappers.

Some companies, like EcoEnclose, have searched for curbside recycling programs that accept foil-lined wrappers but have been unable to find any. This is due to the issues flexible film poses to recycling equipment. Instead, some companies are innovating with new packaging formats, such as Unwrapp'd, which offers energy bars in recyclable jars, and Creation Nation, which provides energy bar mixes for consumers to make their own bars and use reusable storage containers.

However, there are a few alternative options for recycling foil-lined wrappers. TerraCycle, for example, accepts foil-lined energy bar wrappers and sells them to reclaimers who have invested in the necessary equipment to extract the different materials. This program is free for consumers and sponsored by Clif Bar, which donates a penny per wrapper to the American Forests American ReLeaf Program. Another option is store drop-off recycling, which some US retailers offer for flexible plastic packaging. After collection, the flexible plastic is sold to independent companies to be recycled into new products.

While these alternatives exist, the recycling process for foil-lined wrappers remains challenging due to the difficulty of separating the materials. This issue highlights the need for more sustainable packaging solutions, such as compostable materials or reusable containers, to reduce the environmental impact of snack wrappers.

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