Business Reporter: Going plastic-free is a very short-sighted solution

Choosing the right plastic material is also key to meet sustainability goals. Selection based on the biodegradability of plastic, for instance, is misguided as despite its name, the material does not easily break down in the natural environment. In addition, biodegradable plastic is not recyclable and causes problems when wrongly sorted with non-biodegradable plastic in recycling streams. Choosing the right plastic material is also key to meet sustainability goals. Selection based on the...

Choosing the right plastic material is also key to meet sustainability goals. Selection based on the biodegradability of plastic, for instance, is misguided as despite its name, the material does not easily break down in the natural environment. In addition, biodegradable plastic is not recyclable and causes problems when wrongly sorted with non-biodegradable plastic in recycling streams.

Instead, more efforts need to be made to design plastic products that are recycled, reusable and recyclable to avoid the negative consequences of single-use plastic on the environment. Using discarded plastic waste to produce new products will divert plastic waste away from our landfills and oceans and back into production and productive use.

By using recycled plastic such as HDPE, packaging companies like PakTech can use 90 per cent less energy and 100 per cent less petroleum compared with using virgin plastic. This approach, using 100% recycled, reusable and recyclable plastic, is essential to accelerate the move towards a circular economy.

It's important that companies work to the highest sustainability standards, but this must be based on a broad, holistic framework that considers all aspects of environmental protection. Used responsibly, recyclable plastics play an important role in that framework.

To learn more about sustainable packaging, watch the video.

About Business Reporter

Business Reporter is an award-winning supplement published in the Sunday and Daily Telegraph, City AM and online, delivering news and analysis on issues affecting businesses to a global audience. It also hosts conferences, debates, breakfast meetings and exclusive summits.

www.business-reporter.co.uk

About PakTech

PakTech designs and manufactures injection-moulded recycled HDPE handles for the food and beverage industry. These products are made with 100% recycled plastic and they are themselves 100% recyclable. PakTech is a family owned company that was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon.

Paktech-opi.com

Sources

https://business-reporter.co.uk/2020/10/28/sustainable-packaging-why-rejecting-all-plastics-is-not-the-answer/