The future of plastic - Vol 5 Sneak Peek
Emerging Trends in Eco-Friendly Packaging Technology and Greenwashing
Article by: Chloe Jones
Artwork by: Louise Tucker
The past few decades have witnessed an alarming surge in plastic production fuelled by the convenience-driven culture of consumerism with profound environmental implications. In the last 30 years, plastic consumption has quadrupled, with 390 million tonnes produced in 2022 of which 44% was packaging. Plastic production is expected to quadruple again by 2050. While plastic plays a crucial role in many sectors, such as medicine, there are growing concerns about its environmental impact.
In 2019, the lifecycle of plastic, including production and end-of-life processes such as recycling and incineration, produced 1.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). This is predicted to double by 2060. Not only does plastic contribute to the increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are currently driving climate change, but it is also a pollutant, as it can remain in the environment for centuries, leaching harmful chemicals. This includes two million tonnes (Mt) of CO2e of methane per year, the second most important GHG after carbon dioxide and more detrimental to the planet. Eventually, plastic also breaks down into smaller fragments (microplastics) which have infiltrated ecosystems, contaminated water bodies and soil, and can even be found in the air.
71% of plastic evades correct waste management systems, inundating landfills and the environment, and this improper disposal is causing irreversible harm to ecosystems and species worldwide. As 30 Mt of plastic waste has now made its way into the ocean, marine life, in particular, bears the brunt of plastic pollution with countless species ingesting or becoming entangled. Over 2,000 land and aquatic species are affected and often killed by the product. However, as many species have yet to be investigated, the reality may be that very few are truly unaffected.
Even humans are suffering the consequences. Microplastics have been found in our lungs, placenta, breast milk and even blood having been ingested through contaminated food and water or inhaled. Over 2,400 chemicals in plastics threaten human health and although we’re not entirely sure of the full extent of the harm they cause, studies have already shown links to gut and memory issues.
The far-reaching impact of plastic pollution requires urgent and concerted efforts to get production under control. While recycling is heavily promoted as a solution, only 9% of plastic is currently recycled worldwide. While 15% of plastic is collected for recycling, 40% is sent to landfill because it’s unsuitable. Whether this is down to a lack of awareness in individuals, the unavailability of efficient recycling facilities, and/or the long list of requirements needed for post-consumer recycling not being met (such as contamination), there has been a demand for increasing the amount of plastic recovered for recycling.
Encouragingly, while plastic can most commonly only be recycled 2-3 times before going to landfill, new methods mean it can now be recycled thousands of times before reaching its end of life. However, increasing recycling would unfortunately only increase GHG emissions. Currently, at 42 Mt CO2e per year, emissions from plastic recycling would reach 466 Mt CO2e should we recycle 100% of current plastic. Further implementing the novel use of enzymes to break down the predicted two-fold increase in plastic production, combined with the inability to recycle all plastic types, recycling is sadly only a short-term solution to reducing plastic waste.
Global awareness of environmental issues has sparked a significant shift in consumer preferences towards sustainable and eco-friendly products in recent years with industries racing to adopt more environmentally friendly packaging.
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