Pros and cons of product paper packaging

Pros and cons of product paper packaging

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We live in a world where we all need to be more conscious about the environment and sustainability. More than ever consumers are trying to make eco-conscious choices, which extends to the products they use and the packaging they come in. At GP, we feel the responsibility to develop more sustainable sources of power , including product packagings. We have been listening to our customer's needs and have taken an important step to reduce plastic packaging by making the majority of our product assortment packaging plastic-free by .

Read on for some of the negative impact plastics have on our environment, the pros of paper and a few creative ways to reuse your plastic packaging.

What is the main problem with plastic packaging?

Plastic is a fossil fuel – non-renewable. It’s estimated that 4% of the world’s oil production is used in the creation of plastics and is seen as a poor material in terms of renewability and sustainability. There are roughly a staggering 5 trillion or more pieces of plastic pollution in our oceans.

Other disadvantages of plastic packaging include:

• The production of plastic releases excessive amounts of carbon dioxide which pollutes the environment.
• Although plastic can be recycled, it has been reported that over 91% of existing plastic in the world has never been recycled.
• It can take thousands of years to fully degrade, which is harmful to the environment.
• Plastic pollutes the oceans and land, and animals can also choke on this material.
• Over a long period of time, sunlight breaks plastic down which then poisons soil, affecting the fertility of the land.

How is paper packaging more sustainable than plastic?

Businesses are switching to paper because it is generally more environmentally friendly, posing less of a threat if any should find its way into the ocean and waterways.

• Its manufacture means a reduction of up to 60% in CO2 and oil emissions compared to other materials.
• It is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Corrugated cardboard degrades completely within a maximum period of one year.
• Recycled cardboard does not lose durability or resistance. After recycling, corrugated cardboard does not lose quality or properties.
• Recycling cardboard allows us to save energy that can be used in the manufacture of other resources. 90% less water and 50% less electricity are needed to make them.

How to reuse cardboard packaging in creative ways

Here are some fun tips to inspire you to recycle and reuse your cardboard packaging at home. Get creative and help the environment at the same time.

• Regifting – Create cards and gift tags for friends or use a box or two to house a gift.
• Stylish storage – Create your own custom storage boxes, and get arty with paint and fabrics for fun smart storage solutions.
• Pretty Planters – Decorate a cardboard box, line it with a plastic bag with drainage holes and bingo a nifty new planter for your plants.
• Cool Coasters – Cut card into circles with scissors and cover with colourful duct tape and you have yourself a fresh new set of drink coasters.

The switch to paper packaging is yet another milestone in reducing waste, but we're not at our destination yet. We are working hard every day to find new ways to reduce our environmental footprint and help you easily recycle all our products and its packaging.

Plastic

Plastics came into existence by accident in , but it grew popular around the s when high-density polyethylene was created. Plastics are made from fossil fuels which is clearly a non-renewable source. It is estimated that 4% of the world’s oil production is used as feedstock to make plastics, so this means plastic is often viewed as poor material in terms of renewability and sustainability.

However, it's not all doom and gloom with plastic. In recent times various reports from credible sources such as McKinsey have come out that plastic also brings certain benefits compared to other materials such as paper. The most sustainable approach is to look at the bigger picture, compare the pros and cons of the material and see them in the context of what situation the material is used. 

The Plastic Pro’s

Although they are bad for the environment, there are a number of reasons why some may find plastics difficult to give up. These are as follows:

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• Low costs: Plastic is the cheapest out of all common packaging materials.
• Excellent Durability: Plastics do not break or get damaged easily and can withstand falls or slight trauma without damage so provides great protection. Plastic packaging often does not get damaged when stacked on top of each other, making transportation of products easier.
• Long lasting: Plastic takes about a thousand years to break down, they can last for extensive periods without damage. However, as much as this is a pro, it is also a con.
• Light weight: Most plastic materials weigh almost nothing when compared to alternatives such as glass and wood, which is great in reducing the footprint when transporting products that are packaged with plastics.
• Great versatility: Plastic packaging has many forms that can vary from flexible and adaptable to sturdy and resilient types like plastic containers.
• Low GHG footprint: McKinsey tested plastic and non-plastic alternatives to look at the impact. Among applications for which nonplastic alternatives are used at scale, the plastics examined in their research offered lower total GHG contribution compared with alternatives in approximately 90% of cases.

The Plastic Con’s

Plastics may provide a number of easy advantages for businesses as mentioned above, but this does not mean the cons should be disregarded.

Plastic production is around 381 million tons and 5 trillion or more pieces of plastic are polluting the waters around the world. However, more consumers are demanding recycled content in plastic which is driving accelerated progress in recycling plastics. Some additional cons include:

• Dependency on Fossil Fuels: Plastic is primarily derived from fossil fuels, such as petroleum and natural gas. This contributes to carbon emissions and dependence on non-renewable resources.
• Single-use nature: A significant portion of plastic packaging is designed for single-use purposes, leading to excessive waste generation and resource consumption.
• Long lasting: As mentioned in the pro’s, it can take thousands of years to fully degrade, which is harmful to the environment when it does not end up in the recycling scheme.
• Non-biodegradable: Most plastics are not biodegradable, which means they persist in the environment and can accumulate over time, adding to the pollution in seas and other habitats across the world.
• Chemical Leaching: Some types of plastic packaging, especially those made with certain additives, can pose potential health risks when used around food and beverages.

Innovations in plastic recycling

It’s no surprise that plastic waste has become a global concern due to its impact on the environment and human health. However, advancements in plastic recycling technologies offer promising solutions to tackle this issue. Let’s explore some of these innovations and how they can improve the recyclability of plastic packaging.

Chemical recycling

One notable breakthrough in plastic recycling is chemical recycling. Unlike traditional mechanical recycling, which involves melting and reforming plastic, chemical recycling breaks down plastic into its molecular components. This process allows for the conversion of plastic waste back into its original building blocks, which can then be reused to produce new plastic products. Chemical recycling has the potential to recycle a wider range of plastic types, including mixed or contaminated plastics that would otherwise be challenging to recycle mechanically without separating beforehand.

Advanced sorting systems

Sorting plastic waste effectively is crucial for efficient recycling, especially with plastic packaging. Advanced sorting systems, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic technologies, have revolutionised the recycling industry. These systems can accurately identify and separate different types of plastic based on their composition, colour, and shape. By automating the sorting process, these technologies increase recycling efficiency, minimise human error, and enhance the quality of recycled plastic.

Depolymerisation

Depolymerisation is another innovative technique that breaks down plastic into its monomers or basic chemical units. By using heat or solvents, plastic polymers are disassembled, allowing for the recovery of valuable monomers. These monomers can then be used as raw materials for producing new plastic products without losing their quality. Depolymerisation shows promise in enabling the recycling of plastics that are difficult to recycle through conventional methods.

Bioplastics

If for your company the pro’s outweigh the con’s, then it might be an option to consider bioplastics. Bioplastics are made from biodegradable sources such as vegetables, rice, and other organic and plant-based compounds.

Similar to other plastics, bioplastics are not currently recyclable, but they do break down much quicker than regular plastics, provided they are properly composted at in-home compost heaps or in extensive industrial compost facilities.

Bioplastics are usually much more efficient and eco-friendly than normal plastics and help contribute to the reducing of pollution.

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