Plastic packaging: is it a problem?

Hand holding jigsaw with reduce reuse recycle Photo by witsaruts, Envato Elements

The use of plastic packaging is a multifaceted issue ingrained in daily life, entwining convenience, economic factors, technological constraints, and environmental impact¹. Addressing it necessitates a multi-dimensional approach involving technological innovation, systemic shifts, and global cooperation.

To effectively tackle this challenge, delving into its complexities, underlying causes, enabling factors, and potential solutions is crucial.

The problem

The use of plastic packaging has been integral to society for decades, serving purposes like food preservation, product packaging, and various infrastructure projects². Its cost-effectiveness, durability, and lightweight nature have made it the material of choice across many industries³. However, its disposal poses a significant problem, as plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, leading to widespread ecological damage.

Clogged drainage systems in plastic-polluted cities during the rainy season exemplify this issue⁴. Poor waste management practices, low recycling rates, slow recycling technology advancements, and the absence of comprehensive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies exacerbate the plastic packaging crisis, necessitating effective solutions and systemic changes⁵.

The challenges

smiling woman sorting waste at home Photo by seventyfourimages, Envato Elements

To better understand the impact of plastic packaging on society, outlined are four key challenges that highlight the difficulty of getting rid of plastic in the current market:

Versatility of plastic packaging

The flexible nature of plastic makes finding alternatives challenging, given its cost-effectiveness and functionality⁶. Major corporations in the United States, like Amazon and Walmart, prioritize plastic for affordability, overlooking its long-term environmental impact⁷. Despite emerging sustainable alternatives, the pervasive use of plastic in various industries remains a significant hurdle.

Longevity

Plastic’s durability makes it the preferred material for various products, with the ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions for hundreds of years⁸. However, this durability poses challenges at the end of its lifecycle, leading to overwhelming plastic waste in cities like Mumbai and Delhi⁹. Mismanagement perpetuates the existence of microplastics, posing environmental and health hazards¹⁰.

Consumer behaviour

Single-use plastic, popular in households and fast-food chains, have become ubiquitous. Despite awareness campaigns, consumer preference for convenience prevails¹¹. For example, Australia faces high consumer demand for single-use plastic, challenging efforts by major supermarkets such as Cole and Woolworths to reduce consumption¹².

Infrastructure and recycling

Technological innovation has led to numerous creations of smart appliances and improvements in business processes¹³. However, the surplus of electronic products and waste poses a challenge, as processing requires advanced processes and machines. Germany, known for efficient waste management, faces difficulties in processing complex plastic waste due to a gap in technological infrastructure¹⁴.

The solution

Now, is plastic packaging really a problem? Yes, but a manageable one. Through creativity and innovation, we can address this human-made challenge.

data chart with calculator
Photo by leungchopan on EnvatoElements

Innovation in materials

Technological advancement is not just meant to develop new plastic applications. It can also be utilized to create and search for eco-friendly alternatives. One material that can be considered is Social Plastic® feedstock, which is recycled plastic feedstock that is reprocessed and reintegrated into products and packaging.

Consumer education and awareness

Consumer habits can be influenced. With a series of educational awareness campaigns and positive reinforcements through signage and infomercials, consumers can shift their preference to greener options.

Manufacturers should incorporate visual cues about recycling practices in their product packaging. On the other hand, local governments should strategically place waste segregation bins in populous areas along with posters and signage reminding everyone to practice proper solid waste management.

Meanwhile, corporations have the opportunity to initiate and monitor their environmental footprint through the Plastic Bank’s Plastic Footprint Calculator. The application enables companies to oversee their plastic packaging waste with the help of experts. The tool provides them with live updates on their progress and the impact they are creating on the environment.

Empowering the circular economy

Product packaging can be designed for reuse, repurpose, or recycling. Plastic Bank helps businesses create products made of recycled plastic through its Social Plastic® program. Alternatively, companies can offset their plastic footprint with Impact Programs, allowing companies to empower the collection, exchange, and proper recycling of mismanaged plastic waste in areas with high rates of plastic pollution and poverty.

Moving Forward

As we stand at the crossroads of environmental sustainability and convenience, it’s clear that the journey with plastic is fraught with complexities. Yet, it’s within these challenges that we find our greatest opportunity for change. The question we face now is not just ‘can we?’ but ‘how will we?’ transform our relationship with plastic.

This path to a better and wasteless world is not a solitary one; it is a collaborative endeavour that demands a united commitment. Individuals, businesses, and governments must come together, prioritizing the environment in every decision. The impact of our collective efforts is profound – each small step, every innovative solution, and each conscious choice cumulatively leads to significant, positive changes for our planet. The power to reshape our future and combat plastic pollution lies in our hands. Let’s inspire and drive change, for a world where we don’t just exist, but actively contribute to its well-being.