Plastic is today at the centre of a heated debate environmental debate. Often considered the symbol of modern pollution, it is the subject of criticism, media campaigns and restrictive regulations. But What is the real role of plastic in packaging? Is it really the enemy to be eliminated, or are we underestimating its advantages and potential in a circular economy perspective? In this article we analyze the “plastic paradox“, debunking some myths and offering a balanced vision based on data, innovation and best practices.
Plastic as a packaging material: advantages and critical issues
Plastic is an extremely durable material. versatile, lightweight, durable and moldable, which makes it ideal for numerous applications in packaging, especially in the food, cosmetic and medical sectors. Compared to other materials, it allows a lower environmental impact during production (less energy, lower emissions) and better protection of the contents, resulting in reduced waste.
However, it also presents some obvious critical issues:
- It degrades slowly, causing accumulations in natural environments if not properly directed to a recycling system.
- It is often used excessively or unnecessarily (overpackaging).
- Many plastics are difficult to recycle due to mixed compositions which, however, are often necessary for specific uses.
It is therefore essential to distinguish its correct use from its superfluous use, analyze the real needs of particular packaging characteristics to avoid incorrect uses and design plastic-free packaging only where really necessary and possible.
Plastic bashing: how justified is it?
In recent years, an extremely negative narrative has spread towards plastic, a phenomenon known as plastic bashing. Viral videos, advertising campaigns and images of oceans filled with waste have contributed to creating a distorted perception of the problem.
But, as he also points out Corepla and the project “The Plastic Paradox” by Canon, the main problem is not the plastic itself, but rather its improper managementDemonizing plastic can lead to hasty choices, such as substitutions with alternative materials that, in some situations, turn out to be more polluting in the complete life cycle.
It is therefore necessary to shift the focus from the "fight against plastic" to promotion of recycling, reuse and eco-design.
Bioplastics, compostables, recyclables: what really changes?
In the world of packaging we hear more and more often about bioplastics, compostable materials, biodegradable materials And recyclable plastics, but confusion reigns supreme. Here are some key distinctions:
- Bioplastic: can be bio-based (vegetable or animal origin) but not necessarily biodegradable. Some are, some are not.
- Compostable: It degrades under controlled (industrial) conditions, but not always in home compost.
- Biodegradable: it degrades in certain conditions, even in nature, but humidity and adequate temperature are needed, in addition to the presence of microorganisms (such as enzymes, bacteria, fungi or algae) that physically destroy the polymer; this process does not necessarily occur only with Bioplastics. To be defined as biodegradable, a material must degrade at least 90% within 6 months.
- Recyclable: it is a single-material plastic that can be returned to the form of raw material, often in a low-impact mechanical way, to be reworked in the same conditions as virgin plastic of fossil origin and then reintroduced into the production cycle, provided that it is correctly collected and separated
The ideal solution is not always bioplastic but the right material in the right context, with a design that considers the necessary characteristics of the packaging for its intended use and period of use as well as the entire life cycle of the product.
The challenge of single-use plastic (SUP Directive)
The European Union has introduced the SUP (Single Use Plastic) Directive to combat the use of non-essential single-use plastics by banning or limiting products such as straws, cutlery, plates and cotton buds. However, after just a few months it was realized that some plastic products, such as straws, are not so easy to replace, so much so that America has put them back into production and circulation.
For packaging, this has led to a push towards:
- the adoption of alternative materials
- redesigning packaging to reduce the amount of plastic
- increasing recycled content in packaging (e.g. recycled PET)
Italy has implemented the directive by seeking a balance between sustainability and industrial competitiveness, supporting companies in production reconversion and in the search for innovative solutions.
Concrete initiatives for circular plastic
Many Italian companies are distinguishing themselves on the path towards a circular plastic. Some examples:
- Corepla has developed innovative plants for the treatment of mixed polymers and educational campaigns to improve the collection
- Aliplast produces high quality recycled plastic for food contact
- Ferrarelle uses recycled PET 100% bottles
- Startups and SMEs are experimenting with biodegradable plastic from marine sources, agricultural waste and algae
Furthermore, projects such as IPPR (Institute for the Promotion of Recycled Plastics) certify products containing recycled plastic, promoting greater transparency and traceability.
Plastic in packaging is not the enemy, but a resource to be managed responsibly. Demonizing it does not solve the problem, indeed it risks making it worse. We need a rational approach, based on eco-design, recycling, education and innovation. Only in this way can we transform the plastic paradox into a challenge won for sustainability.
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