Plastics Explained - Exploring the Key Topics
Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions is of urgent necessity if mankind is to minimise the impact of climate change.
Plastic is a resource efficient, recyclable and lightweight material, vital for every major industry to function.
In the same way we value the modern comfort and safety it brings, the material needs to be valued as a resource that is kept in functional use for as long as possible.
All plastics that are commonly used in everyday life can be recycled. And technologies are rapidly developing that mean even more of the plastic we rely upon can be recycled at scale.
However, the UK needs to improve its plastic collection and recycling infrastructure if it is to achieve a truly circular economy for plastics.
All plastic packaging should be collected, for example, as it is in most other European countries.
It is simpler for everyone to understand and helps to develop markets for recycled material.
Why value plastic?
Plastic keeps food fresher for longer, extending shelf life and protecting products on journeys that may be thousands of miles. Chemically inert, safe, hygienic and shatterproof, it is vital to a wide range of industries, including healthcare. For example, it helps extend the shelf life of blood from seven to 30 days.
Plastic keeps the weight of cars, planes and trucks low, meaning far less fuel is burnt over their lifetime. Recyclable plastic pipes, windows and doorframes are essential to the construction sector. Without plastic, no modern electronics would be possible. The list goes on.
But mismanaged plastic waste is entering the oceans, which can cause harm to wildlife and ecosystems. Everybody knows that, so clearly things have to change.
When it comes to plastic packaging, which is where most media attention is focused, sometimes a reuse or refill system is the most appropriate option for the environment – but providing people with a range of options seems the most likely and sensible outcome for a modern society.
Switching away from plastic packaging is often not the best thing for the environment, as other materials can be heavier and require more land, energy and water to be produced.
Using recycled plastic lowers the carbon footprint of a plastic product even more. For example, using 30% recycled content in PET packaging reduces carbon emissions by over 15%.
Collecting as much plastic waste as possible so that it can provide much-needed recycled material for a range of markets therefore seems logical.
In most major EU countries, all plastic packaging is collected. The UK should collect it too. This will increase recycling rates and increase the amount of recycled material available.
Revenue raised from the forthcoming plastic packaging tax could and should be used to expand and develop the UK’s recycling infrastructure.
Plastic – and plastic waste – should be thought of as a valuable resource that is vital to a modern economy and vital to reducing carbon emissions.
Executive Summary:
We have also produced an executive summary version of the document, condensing all the key issues into an easy-to-read format. Please download this version here:
What are the key topics?