Plastic flexible packaging makes up more than a quarter (28%) of all packaging, according to an analysis by The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) that looked at beverages, home care products, animal food, packaged food and personal care items.
Getting packaging right is an important part of a supply chain operation, especially in food where waste means lost sales. The right packaging can increase shelf life and protect the product.
Current Situation
Ideal packaging would limit food and packaging waste, but food waste is often given priority in this equation, according to a 2015 paper on food packaging by a group of Australian researchers.
“Product protection needs to be the primary goal for packaging sustainability, and sometimes, this requires trade-offs between the amount of packaging and the amount of food waste generated,” the paper notes.
There are more sustainable alternatives to existing packaging types. Using plastic bags instead of PET bottles for milk uses less material. But more sustainable options often face barriers to adoption at the food producer and retail level where operations are setup to handle existing packaging, according to “Barriers to the adoption of waste-reducing eco-innovations in the packaged food sector,” a paper published last year in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
Producers and retailers worry about the cost and risk associated with adopting newer technologies, according to the paper by lead author Christopher Simms, a business professor at the University of Portsmouth.
Producers and packaging suppliers won’t provide environmental-friendly packaging if retailers don’t think they’ll sell. So retailers have a significant amount of power in this debate, Simms wrote.
“Retailer’s represent a key supply chain actor in stimulating eco-innovation,” the paper reads. “Yet, our cases reveal little emphasis on sustainability within their decision-making. Interventions must therefore take account of each supply chain level, and how they will influence adoption behavior in the food industry.”
Simms and his coauthors concluded government and NGOs could help industry adoption of sustainable packaging by providing better eduction to consumers, however, there are signs that consumers already want a move away for package-laden products.
Plastic’s diversity as a material means it can be useful in both rigid and flexible forms. Plastic bags can hold more than 1,000 times their weight and beat their paper and woven counterparts in terms of energy efficiency (particularly when these bags are reused or recycled). Flexible plastic film used for packaging can protect more goods with less weight, and all for a fraction of the carbon footprint of other materials, making it a key part of both the plastics industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and eliminate food waste and spoilage (which costs the global economy $300 billion annually.
Plastic flexible packaging has several advantages, including:
Lightweight: plastic flexible packaging is typically lighter than other packaging materials, which can reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions.
Durable: plastic flexible packaging has some degree of durability and tear resistance, which can protect products from damage.
Recyclable: plastic flexible packaging can be recycled and reused, reducing resource waste.
However, plastic flexible packagingalso faces some sustainability challenges, including:
Production: The production of plastic flexible packaging requires a significant amount of energy and resources.
Recycling: plastic flexible packaging can be difficult to recycle, and some types of plastic flexible packaging are not recyclable at all.
Disposal: plastic flexible packaging that is not recycled can end up in landfills or incinerators, where it can release harmful pollutants into the environment.
EU Regulations and Proposals
The European Union (EU) has taken a leading role in promoting sustainable packaging. In 2018, the EU adopted a new directive on packaging and packaging waste, which set ambitious targets for reducing packaging waste and increasing recycling rates.
The directive requires EU member states to achieve the following targets by 2030:
Reduce the amount of packaging waste generated by 15%.
Recycle 65% of packaging waste.
Incinerate or compost 50% of packaging waste that is not recycled.
The directive also requires EU member states to ensure that all packaging is recyclable by 2035.
In 2022, the European Commission proposed a new package of measures to further reduce plastic pollution. The package includes a proposal to ban single-use plastics, such as plastic straws, cutlery, and plates. The package also includes a proposal to require all packaging to be made from at least 30% recycled content by 2030.
Analysis of the EU’s Sustainable Packaging Regulations
The EU’s sustainable packaging regulations are a significant step forward in the fight against plastic pollution. The regulations are ambitious and will require significant effort from businesses and governments to achieve.
The regulations are likely to have a significant impact on the use of flexible plastic packaging. The requirements to reduce packaging waste and increase recycling rates will likely lead to a shift towards more sustainable packaging materials and designs.
The ban on single-use plastics will also have a significant impact on the use of flexible plastic packaging. Many single-use plastic products, such as plastic bags and food packaging, are made from flexible plastic. The ban will likely lead to a decline in the use of these products.
The requirement for all packaging to be made from at least 30% recycled content by 2030 will also have a significant impact on the use of flexible plastic packaging. plastic flexible packagingis often made from virgin plastic, so the requirement for recycled content will require a significant increase in the availability of recycled flexible plastic.
Future Trends
The future of sustainable plastic flexible packaging is likely to be shaped by the following trends:
The increasing use of renewable materials: Renewable materials, such as plant-based plastics and biodegradable plastics, are becoming more widely available and affordable. These materials offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
The development of new recycling technologies: New recycling technologies are being developed that can make it easier and more efficient to recycle flexible plastic packaging. These technologies could help to reduce the amount of plastic flexible packaging that ends up in landfills or incinerators.
The increasing demand for sustainable packaging: Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of packaging. This is driving demand for more sustainable packaging options.
By following these trends, businesses can help to make plastic flexible packaging more sustainable.
