Get the knowledge: How to tackle problem packaging

Aluminium

Aluminium cans are generally regarded as the most environmentally-friendly packaging choice as they consume less energy and resources than plastic, glass or card. They aren’t made from fossil fuels, and they’re lighter than glass. They can also be constantly recycled with no change in properties – around 75% of all the aluminium ever made is still in circulation. Finally, recycling an aluminium can saves 95% of the energy used to make a new can, and no new material needs to be mined or transported.

But there are still environmental problems associated with aluminium. Its manufacturing process involves refining bauxite ore, which can pollute the water in the countries where it’s sourced. There have been cases of this in multiple regions, including India, Australia and Malaysia. 

To mitigate this – and to keep reaping the benefits of aluminium – the material needs to reach a proper recycling facility once it’s no longer needed. For example, the UK’s recycling rate for aluminium cans is 82% – this is high, but it needs improving if we’re to make recycling the main supply of new cans.

It’s also important to note that aluminium isn’t a suitable packaging material for everything, although we are now seeing some innovation from companies putting things like alcohol and cosmetics into cans, instead of glass and plastic.

Compostable and biodegradable packaging

The move away from traditional plastic packaging has seen a lot of innovation and research into compostable and biodegradable alternatives. In theory, these materials are better for the environment as, unlike ‘true’ plastic, they eventually break down, posing fewer risks to the environment. However, it’s a complex area full of misleading information.

First of all, it’s important to understand the difference between the two terms:

•       Biodegradable means the material can be naturally broken down by microorganisms.
•       Composting is a biodegradation process controlled by humans by adding beneficial microorganisms to the material so it breaks down into soil. Composting can be done at home or commercially.

As WRAP notes, therefore, all compostable plastics are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable plastics are compostable.

Compostable plastics – or ‘starch-based plastics’ – are derived from renewable materials such as corn, sugarcane, soy protein and cellulose. Biodegradable material is usually made from a mixture of bio plastics and traditional plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene and PVC.

There are environmental issues associated with both. The amount of time it takes for a biodegradable material to fully degrade can vary hugely, and while it’s still in the environment it can continue to pose a hazard to wildlife. Additionally, the presence of traditional plastics means that while the overall structure of the material is eventually broken down, harmful microplastics will remain.

Compostable material, on the other hand, is non-toxic when decomposed as it breaks down to its natural cellulose state. Research has also shown that in terms of fossil fuel use, energy demand and water consumption, starch-based plastics are significantly better for the environment than their traditional counterparts. 

However, producing this material is problematic in that it requires a significant volume of land to grow the crops it needs. These crops are usually grown in monocultures, which negatively impacts biodiversity, and they reduce the land available for producing food, which is set to become a key climate challenge in the future.   

How packaging is regulated around the world

Governments across the world are responding to the packaging problem – particularly single-use packaging – through regulations that both minimise environmental waste and improve waste management processes.

Europe

In the EU, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive has been in place since December 1994, with multiple revisions and additions since. This is particularly focused on developing a circular economy, as well as creating a harmonised EU policy framework for the sustainable use of biodegradable and compostable plastics. The EU also has a directive relating to single-use plastics, which aims to tackle the 10 most problematic single-use plastic items in Europe.

UK

In the UK, any business or organisation that produces or uses packaging, or sells packaged goods, may be classed as an ‘obligated packaging producer’. They must follow a set of rules designed to reduce the amount of packaging produced, reduce how much packaging goes to landfill, and increase the amount of packaging that’s recycled. The nation has also implemented a plastic packaging tax, and is aiming for a 73% packaging recycling rate by 2030. 

USA

While the USA has comprehensive federal legislation on things like waste disposal and recycling, there’s no national guidance on packaging, although momentum is growing for a national Extended Producer Responsibility initiative. This is being driven by regulation from individual states and local jurisdictions. California has a Rigid Plastic Packaging Container Law (RPPC), for example, which stipulates that such containers must be made from a minimum of 25% recycled materials. 

Maine, meanwhile, has recently introduced an extended producer responsibility programme for packaging, designed to reduce the volume of packaging materials in the state. Elsewhere, states including Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Vermont and Washington have banned disposable plastic bags. While not technically packaging, this is an important first step in tackling the United States’ mounting waste problem.

Australia

Australia’s packaging programmes were for a long time industry-driven until an official review in April 2023 found the country was recycling just 18% of plastic packaging, which would fall well short of the national target of 70% by 2025. As such the country’s federal and state governments agreed for the first time to impose mandatory packaging rules on manufacturers and retailers. It’s now working on compulsory rules for packaging design based on international best practice, as well as a roadmap for improved recycling.

China

China has a staggered list of directives designed to gradually phase out the use of single-use plastic packaging, and non-degradable bags, disposable plastic tableware and disposable plastic products offered by the hospitality sector will be banned everywhere by 2025. Interestingly, while China is a major producer of plastic packaging, Chinese citizens create a very small amount of plastic waste themselves – around 18kg per person per year, compared to 53kg in the USA and 44kg in the UK.

India   

India has had a ban on single-use plastics since July 2022, however, as many news outlets have reported the initiative has not proven successful, with items including plates, cups, cutlery, straws, packaging films and cigarette packets still in rampant circulation. According to analysts, much of the issue lies in enforcement, since implementation of the ban lies with respective state governments and their state pollution control boards.

Elsewhere in Asia, other countries, including Thailand have introduced policies to tackle plastics waste. And in Africa a number of countries including Kenya and Rwanda, have banned the use of plastic bags.

This article was first published 22/08/22 but has been updated to reflect the latest research and developments in this area.