Maya Ellison
Plastic and metal packaging materials can have negative environmental impacts if not properly disposed of. Plastics are commonly made from polyethylene, which is produced from petroleum in an energy-intensive process called polymerization. Metal, on the other hand, is also energy-intensive to extract from its ores. However, metal packaging is recycled more than any other primary packaging material, with steel being the most recycled packaging material in Europe. Plastic, on the other hand, has skyrocketed in usage over the years, but its recycling rates have barely kept up.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Degradation time | Plastic takes over 400 years to break down, while tin and aluminium take 50-200 years. |
| Environmental impact | Plastic has a significant environmental impact due to pollution, low recycling rates, and long degradation times. |
| Recycling rates | 70% of aluminium is recycled, compared to less than 5% of plastic. Steel is the most recycled packaging material in Europe, with a 79.5% recycling rate. |
| Energy consumption | Recycling aluminium saves over 90% of the energy required to produce new cans. Aluminium's lightweight nature also reduces transportation emissions. |
| Production emissions | 1kg of polyethylene plastic produces around 4kg of CO2, while 1kg of aluminium produces 10.63kg of CO2. |
| Health impact | Plastic can contain additives and chemicals like BPA, which may negatively impact human health. |
| Wildlife impact | Plastic can pollute the land, rivers, lakes, and oceans, and can be ingested by or entangle wildlife. |
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What You'll Learn
Metal recycling rates
Recycling metal helps to reduce landfill waste and prevent the release of harmful toxins into the environment. Recycling tin and aluminium, for example, means that less new metal needs to be extracted from their ores, reducing the amount of energy used in the production of aluminium and tinplate packaging. This, in turn, reduces the amount of CO2 created in the production process.
Steel is the most recycled packaging material in Europe, with a recycling rate of 79.5%. Metal packaging is recycled more than any other primary packaging material. Recycling rates for steel packaging in Europe have risen more than threefold over twenty years.
While plastic appears to be the more environmentally sustainable choice during the production process, plastic recycling has barely kept up with the skyrocketing use of plastic over the last 50 years. Less than 50% of plastic bottles are recycled, and just 7% are transformed into new bottles.
Recycling scrap metal can also be a lucrative business. Scrap metal dealers and recycling centres offer top dollar for scrap metal, and some even offer pickup services for scrap metal, making it convenient for people to dispose of waste in an environmentally-friendly way.
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Plastic's impact on human health
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that negatively affects human health at every stage of its lifecycle. The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics threaten human health worldwide. Humans are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals and microplastics through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact.
An average person may ingest approximately 5 grams of plastic every week. Microplastics can enter the human body through contaminated drinking water, seafood, and table salt. They can also be inhaled from the air and ingested through food. Microplastics have been detected in many body parts, including the placenta, which provides nutrients to growing babies. Babies have 15 times more microplastics in their bodies than adults due to their proximity to plastic particles.
Scientific results indicate that plastic causes diseases, disabilities, and premature death at every stage of its lifecycle. Plastic pollution has been linked to an increased risk of prematurity, stillbirth, birth defects, of the reproductive organs, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer. It also contributes to health risks associated with warming temperatures and extreme weather events caused by climate change.
The long-term effects of plastic on human health are not yet fully understood, and more research is needed to determine the full impact of microplastics on the human body. However, it is clear that plastic pollution poses a serious threat to human health, and immediate action is necessary to address this global crisis.
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Aluminium's recyclability
Aluminium is one of the most recycled materials on Earth, with almost 75% of the 1.5 billion tonnes of aluminium ever produced still in use today. Aluminium can be recycled over and over without any loss of quality. The recycling process involves the collection and sorting of aluminium scrap from various sources, including manufacturing and end-of-life products such as vehicles, building materials, and consumer goods. Sorting is essential for producing high-quality recycled aluminium, and the scrap may undergo pre-treatment processes such as shredding, crushing, and granulating to prepare it for melting. After melting and liquid metal treatment, the recycled aluminium is cast into solid forms.
Recycling aluminium reduces carbon emissions and energy consumption. The production of new aluminium is an energy-intensive process, often relying on burning fossil fuels. Recycling aluminium uses only around 5% of the energy required to create new aluminium, saving more than 90 million barrels of oil equivalent each year. This reduces the carbon intensity of aluminium production and contributes to decarbonization efforts.
Aluminium cans are at the forefront of global recycling efforts, with countries like Germany, Belgium, South Korea, Sweden, Finland, and Norway leading the way. Recycling rates for aluminium cans have been set at a target of at least 80% by 2030 and near 100% by 2050. Achieving these goals could save 60 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
While aluminium recycling rates have generally been high, they have fallen below 50% in recent years, resulting in economic and environmental losses. Increasing aluminium recycling rates is crucial for a more sustainable future, and efforts are being made to improve collection and recycling processes.
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Environmental impact of production
Plastic is derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel, in an energy-intensive process known as polymerization. Fossil fuels release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Additionally, petroleum is a finite resource predicted to be depleted within the next few hundred years. Plastic production is thus unsustainable in the long term.
On the other hand, aluminium is the most abundant metal on Earth, comprising 8% of the Earth's crust. However, aluminium is always found as an ore, combined with other compounds. The extraction process is energy-intensive, typically relying on burning fossil fuels. For instance, producing 1kg of polyethylene plastic yields around 4kg of CO2, while 1kg of aluminium produces 10.63kg of CO2. Based on the production process, plastic appears more environmentally sustainable.
Nevertheless, recycling can significantly reduce the environmental impact of metal production. Recycling aluminium saves over 90% of the energy required to produce new cans, and recycled cans can be reused within 30 days. In contrast, plastic recycling rates are extremely low, with less than 50% of plastic bottles recycled and only 7% transformed into new bottles. Recycling tin and aluminium reduces the need for extracting new metal from ores, lowering the energy consumption and CO2 emissions associated with the production of aluminium and tinplate packaging.
Overall, when considering the entire lifecycle of packaging materials, tinplate and aluminium emerge as the more environmentally friendly choice compared to plastic.
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Degradation times
Plastic and metal both have negative effects on the environment, but their impact varies depending on their production, usage, and disposal methods.
Plastics used in packaging are commonly types of polyethylene, like Polyethylene Tetraphalate (PET) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). They are produced from petroleum in an energy-intensive process called polymerization. This process involves joining small molecules to form large chains of molecules. Petroleum is not only directly used to make plastic but is also burned as a fossil fuel to power the production process. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.
On the other hand, metals like aluminium are also produced using energy-intensive processes. Aluminium is always found as an ore, combined with other compounds, and extracting it requires a significant amount of energy, often generated by burning fossil fuels.
When comparing the degradation times of plastic and metal, plastic takes considerably longer to break down. Plastic can take over 400 years to degrade, while metals like tin and aluminium take 50-200 years. The longer degradation time of plastic means that it accumulates in landfills and ecosystems, leading to environmental issues.
Recycling can help reduce the negative environmental impact of both plastic and metal. Aluminium cans, for example, can be recycled back into themselves, reducing the energy required to produce new cans. Recycling aluminium saves more than 90% of the energy needed to make new cans, and recycled cans can be back on shelves within 30 days of being recycled. Steel is another metal that is commonly recycled, with a recycling rate of 79.5% in Europe.
While recycling can mitigate environmental impact, the recycling rates for plastic are generally low. Less than 50% of plastic bottles are recycled, and only 7% are transformed into new bottles. In contrast, 70% of aluminium is recycled.
In conclusion, when considering degradation times, plastic has a more negative environmental impact due to its significantly longer degradation time compared to metal. Recycling can help reduce this impact, but the low recycling rates for plastic further contribute to its negative effect on the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of metal and plastic being compared, as well as the specific environmental indicators being considered. However, overall, metal is generally considered more environmentally friendly than plastic due to its recyclability and lower environmental impact.
Metal is often seen as more environmentally friendly than plastic due to its recyclability. Metals like aluminium and steel can be recycled multiple times with minimal loss of quality, reducing waste and energy consumption during production. In contrast, plastic is downcycled, resulting in lower quality products with each recycling process. Additionally, metal packaging is recycled more than any other primary packaging material, with steel having a recycling rate of 79.5% in Europe. On the other hand, less than 50% of plastic bottles are recycled globally.
The production of both metal and plastic can have negative environmental impacts. Producing 1 kg of polyethylene plastic produces around 4 kg of CO2, while 1 kg of aluminium produces 10.63 kg of CO2. However, recycling aluminium saves more than 90% of the energy required to produce new cans, reducing the environmental impact of its production process. Additionally, the light weight of aluminium reduces transportation emissions compared to heavier materials like glass.
The disposal of both metal and plastic can have negative consequences for the environment. Plastic takes over 400 years to break down naturally, allowing it to accumulate in landfills and ecosystems. During this time, plastic can release chemicals and microplastics that pollute the land, rivers, lakes, and oceans, posing risks to human and wildlife health. Metal, on the other hand, does not release harmful chemicals or cause serious harm to plants and animals, but it may require additional energy and chemicals for recycling, depending on the type of metal.
People can reduce their environmental impact by choosing reusable metal products over single-use plastic whenever possible. Metal bottles and cans are more sustainable than plastic bottles, especially when reused over a long period, as this helps to offset the initial production footprint. Additionally, supporting companies that use recycled metal packaging and promote recycling practices can help reduce the environmental impact of metal production and disposal.
