Sustainable Plastic Packaging

Sustainable packaging is defined as the procurement, development, and usage of packaging solutions with a low environmental impact. Simply, sustainable packaging is environmentally benign and does not contribute to additional natural resource depletion.

Recyclable materials, such as PET or HDPE plastic, cardboard, and paper wrappings, are used in environmentally friendly packaging. Once properly separated for recycling, these materials can be shredded, pulped, or melted down and remoulded as raw material for new packaging or other purposes. Plastics, on the other hand, degrade each time their polymer chains are broken down (or melted), and can only be recycled so many times before being thrown away or burnt.

Reusable plastic packaging is frequently the most environmentally friendly alternative. This can be accomplished through minimising damage, lowering raw material use, extending product life, and reducing carbon emissions through efficient transportation.

Sustainable plastic packaging is made of glass, plastic, metal, and paper.

Bioplastics are an upgrade over typical petroleum-based plastics since they are made entirely of biological resources such as sugar, corn, and vegetable oil. PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), PLA (polylactic acid), and acetate are popular varieties that can function as well as many classic plastics.

From $80 billion in 2020 to $127.50 billion by 2028, the worldwide sustainable plastic packaging industry is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 6.0 percent. Plastic used for packaging, particularly across various industries, has been a major source of worry due to its involvement in generating packaging-related waste, increasing pollution, and contributing to climate change.

The following are some of the major participants in the market for sustainable plastic packaging: Amcor PLC, Sonoco Products Company, Sealed Air Corporation, Huhtamaki OYJ, and Berry Global Inc., Bemis Company Inc., Mondi, WestRock Company, Tetra Laval International SA., BASF SE, Smurfit Kappa, Gerresheimer AG, Ardagh Group S.A., BALL CORPORATION, DS Smith, Crown Holdings, International Paper, Genpack LLC, Reynolds, Uflex Ltd., DuPont, and Evergreen Packaging LLC.

Plastics have an excellent environmental record. Plastics account for only 4% of global oil production and need far less energy to manufacture than other materials. Plastics are strong but light, saving weight in automobiles, aircraft, packaging, and pipes.

Recycled plastics are typically of inferior quality and have less strength than new plastics. Products created from biodegradable plastics sourced from plant sources or loaded with oxygen and other compounds to allow them to degrade in the environment are increasingly being sold to customers.