Plastic really is everywhere. A recent report has found already endangered birds are feeding in plastic pollution hot spots across the ocean. This report adds to the stacks of information, studies and statistics which tell us just how detrimental plastic is to humans, wildlife, and the planet.
Unfortunately, the United Kingdom produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other country and despite widespread greenwashing by brands claiming fully recyclable plastic, only 12% of the 100 billion pieces of plastic that come from household waste in the UK are actually recycled. Most flexible plastic packaging is too difficult to recycle since it is made of multiple materials and contaminated food packaging cannot be processed by mechanical recycling.
This means the other 88% of the UK’s 100 billion pieces of plastic waste is burnt and even worse, for every tonne of dense plastic burned more than two tonnes of CO2 is released into the atmosphere.
Our planet, and its inhabitants, are begging for change. It has been reported that at least 65% of consumers want to make the right spending choices to live a healthier and more sustainable life. Key to achieving consumer demands, is the effective transition to a circular economy. A circular economy would cut the volume of plastics entering our oceans significantly each year, including reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
If we were to see a transition to a circular economy it would result in the creation of consumer goods that are part of the closed loop system, meaning products leave no negative trace on the environment once they have been used. Compostable packaging acts as an effective solution to the plastic problem as they leave no trace at the end of life when placed properly in a composter, and at the same time have the same characteristics as conventional plastics, such as durability, flexibility, and printability.
A recent study has further proven that compostable packaging is most efficient way of replacing plastic. At TIPA, we have been leading the compostable mission since 2010 and make our flexible packaging from a blend of fully compostable polymers, which decompose into nutrient rich soil once placed in a home or industrial composter.
Brands must prepare for increased packaging legislation in the coming years, the UK government has already begun it’s roll out of the Extended Producer Responsibility legislation with more stringent laws on plastic packaging on the horizon. Moreover, recent research has found that nearly half of Europeans would be more inclined to buy a product if it came in compostable packaging, the demand and need for sustainable solutions is ever increasing.
It’s time for a revolution against plastic in the packaging industry and a push towards creating a fully viable and readily adoptable circular solution. Here at TIPA, we are constantly advancing the packaging industry towards sustainable plastic alternatives.