Maya Ellison
Plastic packaging has become the most common form of packaging, overtaking glass, wood, fabric, paper, and metal. There are many different types of plastics used for packaging, each with its own unique properties and applications. For example, Polypropylene (PP) is excellent at blocking moisture and gases, making it perfect for food containers. Another commonly used plastic in packaging is Polystyrene, which is also approved by the FDA for food contact. However, there are concerns about its ability to leach low levels of styrene over time. Sustainability and recyclability are two of the biggest trends in the packaging industry, with consumers increasingly concerned about the ease of recycling plastic products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of plastic resins | PETE plastic, Polystyrene, LDPE, Polypropylene, PVC, Natural PLA |
| Advantages | Plastic packaging is lightweight, shatter-resistant, smooth, optically transparent, and has excellent moisture and gas barrier properties. |
| Disadvantages | Plastic packaging can be difficult to open, leading to "wrap rage" and injuries. It may also contain toxic chemicals that can leach into food. Some plastics are difficult to recycle. |
| Sustainability | Most plastic packaging can be recycled, but some types are more easily recycled than others. Natural PLA is made from corn starch or sugar cane and does not require crude oil for production, but it needs specific conditions to decompose properly. |
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What You'll Learn
- Polypropylene (PP): used for food containers, shatter-resistant, poor UV resistance
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE): safe for food contact, lightweight, recyclable
- Polystyrene: approved by FDA, can leach styrene over time, recyclable but not preferred
- Natural PLA: made from corn starch or sugar cane, biodegradable, needs specific conditions to decompose
- LDPE (PE-LD): lightweight, safe for food contact, rigid form preferred for recycling
Polypropylene (PP): used for food containers, shatter-resistant, poor UV resistance
Plastic packaging has become the go-to option for many industries, especially for food containers. Polypropylene (PP) is one such plastic that is widely used for food storage. It is a safe, non-toxic, and durable material that is FDA-approved for food contact.
Polypropylene has a high heat tolerance, ensuring that it does not leak toxins when heated or breaking down. This makes it suitable for heating beverages or foods without leaching. It also exhibits excellent thermal resistance, allowing it to be safely used in microwaves and dishwashers. Additionally, polypropylene is shatter-resistant, making it a safer alternative to glass.
However, one of its limitations is its poor UV resistance. Polypropylene breaks down when exposed to UV light, making it unsuitable for use in environments with high UV ray levels. This is a significant drawback, especially when compared to other plastics like PET that offer great wear resistance and strength.
Despite this weakness, polypropylene is still highly valued for its moisture and gas barrier properties, making it ideal for food containers. It effectively prevents oxygen from spoiling the contents and maintains the carbonation in fizzy drinks. These unique characteristics of polypropylene make it a popular choice for food packaging, including medication bottles, dairy containers, and food storage boxes.
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Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE): safe for food contact, lightweight, recyclable
Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly abbreviated to PET or PETE, is a strong, lightweight plastic that is frequently used in product packaging. It is also used in the manufacture of water bottles, baby wipes, clothing, bedding, and mattresses. As a strong and shatter-resistant plastic, PET/PETE is well-suited to packaging a wide range of products.
PET/PETE is marked as a safe option for food contact. However, studies have shown that PET plastic can leach harmful chemicals, which can then be ingested by those consuming food or drinks that have been in contact with the plastic. This process, known as leaching, has been linked to a range of negative health effects, including dermatitis, respiratory issues, changes to electrocardiograms, and gastritis. The toxicity of PET plastic has been observed to impact both humans and the environment, with the plastic capable of contaminating water sources with pollutants.
Despite these concerns, PET/PETE is technically recyclable. However, the recycling process is complex and time-consuming, requiring extensive catalysts and specific biological treatments. Unfortunately, the majority of PET plastic is not recycled, with a significant proportion of PET bottles ending up in landfills or being burned. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that PET plastic does not readily break down in the environment, contributing to plastic pollution and the build-up of microplastics in the ecosystem.
To address the environmental impact of PET/PETE, it is important for consumers to refuse single-use plastics and opt for reusable alternatives. Additionally, choosing natural, biodegradable fibres like cotton, wool, linen, and silk can help reduce the amount of plastic waste generated from textiles. While PET/PETE may offer advantages in terms of strength and lightweight properties, it is important to carefully consider the potential health and environmental risks associated with its use and disposal.
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Polystyrene: approved by FDA, can leach styrene over time, recyclable but not preferred
Plastic packaging has become a popular alternative to traditional materials such as glass, wood, and metal due to its lightweight and durable nature. However, the recyclability of plastic has become a growing concern, with consumers increasingly demanding sustainable options. Polystyrene, a type of plastic packaging, exemplifies the complexities of this issue.
Polystyrene, commonly known as expanded polystyrene (EPS), has been approved for use in packaging by the FDA. It is lightweight, robust, and highly mouldable, making it ideal for protecting various products. Despite its advantages, polystyrene has come under scrutiny due to its potential to leach styrene over time. Styrene is a chemical compound that can pose health risks, particularly if it migrates into food or beverages packaged in polystyrene.
While polystyrene is technically recyclable, it is not the preferred option for recycling centres and consumers alike. The recycling process for polystyrene can be challenging, and the material is often contaminated with other substances, reducing its recyclability. Additionally, the slow biodegradation process of polystyrene, ranging from 500 to 100,000 years, underscores the importance of proper recycling to prevent it from ending up in landfills indefinitely.
To address this issue, some companies, such as Molygran, have specialised in polystyrene recycling. They convert polystyrene into various products, including packaging inserts, building materials, and display products. However, the growth in post-consumer polystyrene recycling remains slow, and the majority of recycling occurs during the commercial stages of the supply chain. Consumers often face challenges in finding convenient recycling options for polystyrene, as dedicated facilities are limited.
Overall, while polystyrene has its advantages as a packaging material, its potential health risks and recyclability concerns have sparked debates. The slow biodegradation and consumer recycling rates highlight the need for improved recycling infrastructure and consumer education to ensure responsible waste management. As sustainability gains traction, finding innovative solutions for polystyrene recycling and encouraging consumers to recycle finished products will be crucial to reducing plastic waste.
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Natural PLA: made from corn starch or sugar cane, biodegradable, needs specific conditions to decompose
Natural PLA is a bioplastic made from renewable, plant-based materials such as corn starch, cassava, and sugarcane. Unlike many other plastics, it does not depend on petroleum or other fossil fuels for production and is instead made from renewable resources. This makes it a more natural alternative to fossil fuels.
PLA stands for polylactic acid, a polyester made from renewable biomass, typically from fermented plant starch. It was discovered in 1932 by American chemist and inventor Wallace Carothers, who found that lactic acid, derived from plant starch, could be turned into plastic in the form of PLA.
As a biodegradable material, PLA can be broken down into its original monomer by a thermal depolymerization process or by hydrolysis. However, it does require specific conditions to decompose properly. While it can be added to a compost pile, it will only break down through incineration or under commercial composting conditions, where it will decompose within 90 to 12 weeks. This makes it a more environmentally friendly choice than traditional plastics, which can take centuries to break down, creating microplastics and releasing harmful chemicals in the process.
Today, PLA is widely recognized as a sustainable packaging material and is used in various applications, including food service cups, clamshells, straws, and cutlery. It is also used in the medical industry for creating implants that break down into lactic acid within the human body.
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LDPE (PE-LD): lightweight, safe for food contact, rigid form preferred for recycling
LDPE, or Low-Density Polyethylene, is a commonly used plastic in the food industry. It is marked by the recycling triangle number 4. LDPE is lightweight and safe for food contact, making it ideal for manufacturing food storage bags, squeezable bottles, and plastic wrap. Its soft texture and ability to form an effective moisture barrier are key in preserving food freshness and quality. LDPE is also flexible, clear, and chemical-resistant, preventing toxins from leaching into food. LDPE safety includes products such as bread bags, six-pack rings, grocery bags, produce bags, and food storage boxes.
Despite its popularity in the food industry, LDPE is less commonly recycled than some other plastics, such as PET and HDPE. This is due to the challenges in collecting and processing thin and flexible materials. Thin LDPE can get caught in the teeth of some recycling machines, so they are sent to specialist LDPE recycling machines for shredding. However, LDPE is still recyclable, and recycling it saves on resources and energy, reduces pollution, and lowers commercial waste disposal costs. Recycling LDPE also protects the environment by preventing the material from ending up in landfill, where it can take hundreds to a thousand years to biodegrade.
To recycle LDPE, it is first sorted and separated by plastic type and grade at a waste management centre. It is then cleaned to remove any contamination, such as food, labels, and stickers. The cleaned LDPE is then shredded, melted, and moulded into plastic pellets, which can be used to create new recycled LDPE products. These products include compost bins, panelling, bin bags, bubble wrap, film plastic, and bin liners.
While LDPE is safe for food contact, it is important to note that it is not heat resistant. LDPE should not be left in hot places, as UV rays can break it down and be dangerous. Glass, stainless steel, silicone, and ceramic containers are generally considered safer for food storage, as they are more heat resistant and do not leak toxins.
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Frequently asked questions
There are seven types of plastic resins commonly used for packaging. These include PETE (or PET), LDPE (or PE-LD), PP, PVC, and polystyrene.
Plastic packaging is used to protect and display products. It is also used to make products easier to transport and to prevent theft or tampering.
Hard plastic packaging can be difficult to open and may require tools such as household scissors, a utility knife, or tin snips. This has led to a phenomenon known as "wrap rage," where consumers experience anger and frustration when trying to open packaging.
Yes, there are concerns about the environmental impact of plastic packaging, as well as the potential for certain plastics to leach dangerous chemicals into food products. However, plastic packaging is often preferred due to its lightweight and durable nature, and some types of plastic, such as PETE and LDPE, are widely recycled.
