Yes, flexible packaging items are made of soft plastics. However, contrary to modern preconceptions (and emotional reactions to this substrate), they are still the most environmentally friendly choice for packaging.
The environmental friendliness of flexible packaging depends on various factors, including the materials used, the manufacturing process, the product it contains, and its end-of-life disposal or recycling options. Here is a quick snapshot of those factors:
- Materials Used: Flexible packaging can be made from various materials, including plastics, paper, aluminum, and biodegradable or compostable materials. Some materials, like plastics, can have a significant environmental impact due to their non-biodegradable nature and potential for pollution. On the other hand, materials like compostable or biodegradable plastics offer more environmentally friendly options.
- Resource Efficiency: Flexible packaging often requires fewer resources (such as energy and water) than rigid packaging like glass or metal containers. This can reduce its overall environmental footprint, especially during transportation due to its lightweight nature.
- Recyclability and Recycled Content: The recyclability of flexible packaging varies depending on the materials used and local recycling infrastructure. Some flexible packaging materials, such as certain plastics, can be recycled, while others may not be widely accepted for recycling. Additionally, using recycled content in flexible packaging can help reduce the demand for virgin materials and lessen environmental impact.
- End-of-Life Disposal: Improper disposal of flexible packaging, such as littering or landfilling, can contribute to environmental pollution and harm wildlife. However, proper disposal methods, such as recycling or composting where applicable, can mitigate these negative effects.
- Lifecycle Analysis: Assessing the environmental impact of flexible packaging requires considering its entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation, use, and disposal. A comprehensive lifecycle analysis can help identify areas for improvement and guide the development of more sustainable packaging solutions.
- Changing from rigid to flexible formats.
- Simply reducing the overall thickness of a structure.
- Reuse materials by re-incorporating them back into the packaging:
- Mechanically separated PCR
- Advanced PCR (Chemically produced)
- Using sustainable materials, designed for recyclability or composability, and managed responsibly throughout its lifecycle.