Paper Vs. Plastic Packaging. Which is More Environmentally Friendly?
CONVENTIONAL WISDOM GENERALLY SAYS THAT PAPER IS THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PACKAGING MATERIAL. HOWEVER, THERE IS MORE TO THE DEBATE THAN YOU THINK.
For years it has been debated whether paper packaging is better for the environment than plastic. While the general opinion is that paper products are more environmentally friendly because they are made from a renewable source, the argument that paper is more sustainable than plastic is not so straightforward. Some of these misconceptions stem from not considering the entire life cycle of the bag. It is not easy to examine how bags are disposed of or how long it takes to disassemble them; other aspects also have an impact on the environment.
Although paper comes from trees, which are a renewable resource, it takes a lot of energy to make paper. The manufacture of paper products emits 3.5 times more greenhouse gases than the manufacture of plastic packaging. Tree harvesting also means that fewer trees can absorb greenhouse gases. The production of paper bags uses more than 25 times more water than the production of plastic bags and seven times more waste.
Technology has advanced dramatically in recent years, and the idea of plastics ending up directly in the landfill is a thing of the past. For example, Emmerson Packaging has an award-winning product called SmartPack ™. The process in which this product is manufactured represents a breakthrough in packaging reduction and sustainability. It has a recycling symbol No. 2, which means millions of packages from landfills can be diverted to the recycling stream each year.
The manufacture of paper bags consumes 3.4 times more energy than plastics. In addition, it is estimated that the 145 trucks per year currently used for plastic bag management will increase to 1,183 trucks per year for paper bag management. So when we talk about paper versus plastic, we have to consider the overall impact on the environment.
While plastic packaging can get a bad reputation, banning it and using only paper products could have other adverse effects. In the end, we need to remember how we use these products to make the biggest difference, not just the bag itself!
The most important decision you can make is to choose packaging that does not end up in the landfill when it is not needed and to choose biodegradable options when there are no recyclable options.
Read our blog on Ideas for Making your Packaging more Sustainable
