Page 58 - Plastics News August - 2023

Addressing microplastic pollution: strategies for greener packaging
metals. These pollutants can cause
potential physical damage, disruption
of physiological processes, impaired
reproduction, and weakened immune
systems.
Our comprehension of the precise
consequences of microplastics on hu-
man health and the environment is
still limited. However, emerging evi-
dence suggests that microplastics can
be invasive and alter human physiol-
ogy. Furthermore, microplastics have
been found to be present in human
breast milk and veins, while a recent
study found that microwaving baby
food in plastic containers can release
microplastics.

r. Jorge Hurtado, PreScouter ering, abrasion, or degradation. The Sustainable packaging materials
Danalyst, provides an overview of darkest side of this relationship is that Some businesses are actively explor-
some of the strategies presented to in either form plastic packaging items ing and adopting packaging materials
address microplastic in packaging. that degrade over time break down that are biodegradable, compostable,
A report by PreScouter, a Chicago- into smaller particles known as mi- or easily recyclable. Sustainable alter-
based research intelligence firm, high- croplastics. natives such as bio-based plastics, pa-
lights the significant role the packaging Microplastics are tiny plastic particles per, cardboard, and plant-based fibers
sector plays in contributing to micro- measuring less than 5 mm in size. are becoming increasingly popular.
plastic pollution. These tiny plastic bits are a signifi- Packaging designs now also consider
It is crucial for packaging companies cant source of global plastic pollution. recyclability by using single-source
materials or separable materials that
to urgently incorporate sustainabil- Presently, there are about 51 trillion are easier to recycle.
ity into their business practices and particles of microplastics floating on
adopt strategies presented to address the surface of the ocean, with the One example is Lush, a cosmetics
microplastics in packaging. packaging industry serving as one of brand, which has been utilising bio-
the major contributors to this issue on based and compostable packaging
The link between packaging and a global scale. materials for its products since 2017.
microplastics
The environmental impact of mi- To minimise waste and support sus-
There is a deep connection between croplastic packaging pollution tainability, Lush has introduced pack-
plastics and microplastics. Primary aging made from bamboo, cork, and
micropl+astics are intentionally man- The presence of microplastics poses recycled paper.
ufactured and added to packaging a significant concern as they can be Waste management
materials for various purposes – en- inadvertently consumed and accu-
hancing durability, flexibility, or bar- mulated by living organisms, includ- Companies are focusing on improv-
rier properties. ing humans. Microplastics can enter ing their waste management systems
the food chain through ingestion by (e.g., collection, sorting, and recycling
Secondary microplastics, in contrast, smaller organisms, posing a significant infrastructure). One notable example
result from the breakdown of larger threat as carriers of persistent organic is Coca-Cola’s Collecting and Recy-
plastic products and packaging mate- pollutants like per- and poly-fluoro- cling Program. The program collects
rials, through processes like weath- alkyl substances (PFAS) and heavy the equivalent of 100% of the pack-

58 PLASTICS NEWS August 2023
58 PLASTICS NEWS
August 2023