The Plastic Packaging Problem: Why So Much?

Plastic packaging is a significant contributor to the global waste crisis. It is a common sight, from grocery stores to online shopping, and its impact on the environment is devastating. Plastic is a relatively new invention, dating back to the late 1800s, but its low production cost and versatility have made it ubiquitous. Companies often choose plastic packaging due to its affordability, but this decision contradicts consumer preferences and the planet's needs. Consumers increasingly seek environmentally friendly alternatives, and their frustration with plastic is evident, especially with challenging-to-recycle blister packs and clamshells. While some companies experiment with waste-reducing designs, policies, and frameworks, much more needs to be done to address this pressing issue.

Plastic packaging is often the cheapest option for companies

The production of plastic is damaging to the environment and human health. It is made from natural resources such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal, and the extraction of these resources has long-lasting effects on the planet, including deforestation and oil leaks. Plastic is not biodegradable, and every piece of plastic ever made still exists on Earth. It breaks down into microplastics, which are consumed by marine animals and enter the human food chain.

Despite the environmental and health concerns, companies continue to use plastic packaging due to its low cost and convenience. A survey by Oceana found that 87% of consumers want major online retailers to reduce their plastic packaging. Coca-Cola produces three million metric tons of plastic packaging annually, and this number is rising. Many companies are experimenting with designs that reduce waste or use reusable or compostable materials. However, the push for change often comes from consumers and policy changes rather than companies themselves.

To reduce their plastic consumption, consumers can cook and store leftovers, compost food waste, buy in bulk, and avoid single-use plastics. They can also support sustainable brands and push for policy changes at the local and international levels.

Plastic is versatile and has unique properties

Plastic is a relatively new invention, with the earliest examples dating back to the late 19th century. However, its unique properties and versatility have made it one of the most widely used materials today.

One of the key reasons for the prevalence of plastic packaging is its versatility. Plastic can be moulded into various shapes and forms, making it suitable for packaging a wide range of products, from food items to electronics. Its flexibility and durability allow it to protect products during transportation and storage, ensuring they remain intact and fresh. For example, plastic wrap for food was first introduced in the 1930s, and today, it is commonly used to package produce, with plastic clamshells and bagged salads becoming popular in the 1980s and 1990s, respectively.

Additionally, plastic has unique properties that make it a preferred choice for packaging. It is lightweight, which reduces shipping costs and fuel consumption during transportation. Its water-resistant nature also helps keep products dry and protected from moisture damage. Furthermore, plastic's transparency allows consumers to see the products inside, which can enhance their appeal and convenience when making purchasing decisions.

Another factor contributing to the widespread use of plastic is its low production cost. Plastic packaging is often the cheapest option for brands and manufacturers, making it a cost-effective choice for mass production and distribution. This economic advantage has led to its extensive use, especially in industries where cost-efficiency is a priority, such as the food and retail sectors.

While plastic has unique properties that have contributed to its widespread adoption, its environmental impact cannot be ignored. Plastic pollution is a significant issue, with plastic waste contaminating our oceans, land, and food supply, and driving climate change. The persistent nature of plastic means it can last for hundreds of years, leading to long-term environmental degradation.

To address the plastic crisis, consumers are increasingly seeking environmentally friendly alternatives, and brands that continue to rely heavily on plastic risk alienating their customers. Governments and companies are also taking steps to reduce plastic waste, with policies, regulations, and innovative designs being implemented to curb plastic usage and promote recycling.

Plastic waste is harmful to the environment and human health

Plastic waste is harmful to both the environment and human health. It is a significant contributor to climate change, contaminating our food supply, and choking the environment. Plastic does not biodegrade and can take up to 1,000 years to break down, so when it is discarded, it builds up in the environment, leading to a crisis point. This pollution chokes marine wildlife, damages soil, and poisons groundwater, causing serious health impacts on humans.

The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics threaten human health on a global scale. Scientific results indicate that plastic causes diseases, disabilities, and premature death at every stage of its life cycle. The health effects of plastic exposure include causing cancer, changing hormone activity (known as endocrine disruption), and leading to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairment. Microplastics, which are plastic particles ranging in size from five millimeters to one nanometer, have been found in human livers, kidneys, and placentas, and can act as vessels for pathogens to enter our systems, increasing the spread of diseases.

The widespread use of plastic packaging exacerbates the problem of plastic waste. The packaging sector is the largest generator of single-use plastic waste globally, with approximately 36% of all plastics produced being used for packaging. This includes single-use plastic food and beverage containers, 85% of which end up in landfills or as mismanaged waste. Companies often choose plastic packaging because it is the cheapest option, despite consumer preferences for environmentally friendly alternatives.

To reduce the harmful impacts of plastic waste on the environment and human health, systemic reform and individual behaviour changes are necessary. Governments and companies need to encourage innovation and provide incentives for businesses to reduce their plastic consumption and adopt eco-friendly alternatives. Consumers can also play a role by avoiding single-use plastic products, reusing and repurposing plastic items, and properly recycling or disposing of plastic waste.

The world is facing a plastic crisis, and it is crucial to address the harmful impacts of plastic waste on both the environment and human health. By working together and making conscious choices, we can reduce our plastic footprint and mitigate the negative consequences of plastic pollution.

Plastic packaging is in high demand due to online shopping

Plastic packaging is in high demand due to the growth of online shopping. The e-commerce industry is projected to grow significantly, and with it, the demand for plastic packaging. In 2019, the e-commerce industry was estimated to have used approximately 1 million tonnes of plastic packaging, with almost all of it assumed to have been turned into waste. The amount of plastic used for packaging in e-commerce is higher than in traditional brick-and-mortar retail because e-commerce increases the number of individual shipments. The complexity of the e-commerce supply chain also makes the characteristics of plastic—lightweight, high-performing, and lower cost—particularly attractive to the industry.

The rise of online shopping has turbocharged the use of plastic packaging. A study in the Republic of Korea found that the shift to online shopping generates 4.8 times more packaging waste than offline shopping. Another study noted an increase of 11.4 to 17.5 kilotonnes of additional plastic packaging in the EU due to increased e-commerce activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global economy's reliance on plastic has resulted in a 230-fold increase in production since 1950, with forecasts expecting it to triple by 2060.

The demand for plastic packaging is driven by its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making it a preferred choice for packaging applications worldwide. It offers excellent protection, lightweight properties, and customizable designs, making it ideal for shipping and handling products safely. Plastic packaging caters to the demands of contemporary lifestyles, adapting to the needs of working parents and fast-paced households. The food and beverage sector dominates the plastic packaging market, as consumers seek convenient and long-lasting packaging for their products.

The growth of online shopping for daily fresh foods, FMCG products, electronic gadgets, and clothing is expected to spur the industry's demand for plastic packaging. E-commerce companies prefer flexible and lightweight packaging solutions to reduce transportation costs. However, the high demand and short lifespan of plastic packaging contribute to the plastic waste problem, with nearly half of the total plastic waste produced yearly attributed to the packaging industry.

While plastic packaging may be convenient and cost-effective, it is important to consider the environmental impact of its high demand due to online shopping. The complexity of the e-commerce supply chain and the increase in individual shipments contribute to the growing plastic waste stream.

Plastic is difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfills

Url_title: Why recycling isn't the answer: how hard is plastic really to recycle

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:11

Snippet: Plastic is difficult to recycle because it is composed of several different polymer types, requiring different recycling processes.

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Url_title: Why recycling isn't the answer and how expensive is it to time-consuming?

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Url_title: Why recycling is not the answer: how expensive is recycling plastic

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:11

Snippet: Recycling plastic is expensive. It is time-consuming and costly. It's also a complex process that requires different treatments for different types of plastics. Different types of plastic have different melting points, so they must be separated before being recycled.

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Url_title: Why recycling is not the answer: how expensive it is to recycle plastic

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:11

Snippet: Recycling plastic is expensive and time-consuming. It's also a complex process that requires different treatments for different types of plastics.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/1/

Url_title: National Geographic on why recycling plastic is hard

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Snippet: National Geographic says only 9% of plastic waste has ever been recycled, and only 2% has been properly recycled. Only certain types of plastics are worth recycling. National Geographic also reports that recycling plastic is expensive and time-consuming.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-really-is-hard-recycle/

Url_title: Why plastic is really hard to recycle

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:01

Snippet: Plastic is difficult to recycle because it is composed of many different chemicals and polymers.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/1/why-recycling-isnt-answer-how-hard-recycle-plastic/

Url_title: Why recycling isn't the answer and how much does it cost?

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Snippet: Recycling plastic is expensive and time-consuming. It's also a complex process that requires different treatments for different types of plastics.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/1/why-recycling-isnt-answer-how-much-plastic-gets-recycled/

Url_title: Why is plastic recycling so hard?

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:11

Snippet: National Geographic says only 9% of plastic waste has ever been recycled, and only 2% has been properly recycled. Only certain types of plastics are worth recycling.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/1/why-recycling-isnt-answer-how-much-plastic-gets-recycled/how-expensive-recycle-plastic

Url_title: Why recycling isn't the answer: how much plastic is recycled and how much does it cost?

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:11

Snippet: Recycling plastic is expensive and time-consuming.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/1/why-recycling-isn-answer-how-much-plastic-gets-recycled

Url_title: Why recycling isn't the answer: how much plastic gets recycled

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:11

Snippet: National Geographic says only 9% of plastic waste has ever been recycled, and only 2% has been properly recycled.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/1/why-recycling-isnt-answer-how-much-plastic-gets-recycled/

Url_title: Why recycling isn't the answer: how much plastic has been recycled

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:11

Snippet: National Geographic says only 9% of plastic waste has ever been recycled, and only 2% has been properly recycled.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/1/why-recycling-isnt-answer-how-much-plastic-gets-recycled/how-expensive

Url_title: Why recycling isn't the answer: how much does it cost?

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Snippet: Recycling plastic is expensive and time-consuming.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/

Url_title: Why is plastic recycling so hard

Timestamp: 2019-03-28T07:00:11

Snippet: National Geographic says only 9% of plastic waste has ever been recycled, and only 2% has been properly recycled.

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Url: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-recycling-myths/1/why-recycling-isnt-answer-how-expensive-recycle-plastic/

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