In today’s consumer-driven world, packaging plays a significant role in our daily lives. However, amidst the push for convenience and cost-effectiveness, there’s a silent villain lurking in the shadows – plastic pouches. Once hailed as the solution to packaging woes, these seemingly innocent pouches are now under scrutiny for their deceptive impact on sustainability.
Why the shift to pouches?
In recent years, we’ve witnessed a noticeable migration of products into pouch packaging. But why the shift? The answer lies in its perceived cost-effectiveness such as better value; we buy more for less and refill our existing containers. Manufacturers find plastic pouches cheaper to produce and they use less space, making them easier to transport and an attractive option for cutting operational costs. Plastic pouches key benefits claim to be waste reduction due to less material used, space and cost. Additionally, marketers praise their convenience and versatility, further fueling their popularity among brands.
The argument for pouches is that they generate less waste when going to landfill. However, the counterargument is that pouches are not 100% recyclable, whereas other packaging alternatives are. If we can solve the recycling problems surrounding the existing alternative packaging, we can eliminate all waste. With plastic pouches, you can never do this.
The expensive trade-offs
Beneath the window dressing of affordability lies a long list of sustainability concerns. Plastic pouches may be cheaper, but at what cost to the environment and consumer health?
Hygiene Concerns: Unlike rigid packaging, pouches offer minimal protection against contamination once opened. They are susceptible to moisture and air exposure, increasing the likelihood of your product being contaminated and going to waste.
Recycling Dilemma: One of the most pressing issues with plastic pouches is their recyclability – or lack thereof. Many pouches are made from multi-layered materials that are challenging to recycle. This poses a significant obstacle to achieving a circular economy and aggravates the plastic pollution crisis. Pouches claim to be designed for recycling, but they have actually left us with further questions:
1. How are they being recycled in South Africa?
2. How should you dispose these pouches?
3. Who collects them?
4. How is the recycling done?
5. What new materials are made from pouches?
6. Who uses plastic pouches recyclate?
If we can’t close the loop in the circular economy, then in actual fact, we are creating more waste than before.
Inconvenient disposal: The inconvenience of pouch disposal cannot be overstated. Unlike traditional packaging, pouches are not fit for use after opening, often requiring consumers to
decant their contents into other containers. This additional step not only adds to the hassle but also increases the likelihood of product waste.
The grim reality
As plastic pouches continue to proliferate, so does their contribution to general waste and landfills. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, only a fraction of plastic packaging is recycled globally, with the rest ending up in landfills or polluting our oceans. This unsustainable trajectory underscores the urgent need for systemic change in recycling practices.
A call to action
In the quest for sustainability, we cannot afford to be complacent. As manufacturers, Plastic Bubbles are aware of our carbon footprint, and taking our environment into consideration is one of the first steps we take when designing rigid plastic packaging.
And as consumers, we hold immense power to drive change through our purchasing decisions. By supporting brands that prioritize eco-friendly packaging alternatives and advocating for stricter regulations on single-use plastics, we can collectively steer towards a more sustainable future.
We should ban single-use polluting plastic and encourage recyclable, reusable, and post-consumer recyclate in all our packaging. The ultimate goal is to recycle all of our packaging waste so that 0% goes to waste.
Let’s keep in mind the lessons of the past and embrace packaging solutions that prioritize the health of our planet and communities. Together, we can puncture the illusion of plastic pouches and pave the way for a truly sustainable tomorrow.
It’s time to burst the bubble of deception surrounding plastic pouches and demand accountability from manufacturers and policymakers alike. Let’s champion sustainability at every turn and pave the way for a brighter, greener future.