Page 27 - Plastics News July 2020

plastic packaging recyclable plastic usage by 2025 and we will be using
recycled content in packaging.”
Compostable flexible packaging company TIPA shared
results from a Populus poll, which intended to shed light Procter & Gamble (P&G) India produces 25% of its
on how perceptions of plastic have changed during the shampoo and conditioner bottles with ocean plastic,
Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. The poll results which they've collected and recycled from littered
revealed that, despite the virus, 85% of consumers coasts. The goal is for all P&G's leadership brands,
believe that compostables should replace plastic food including Whisper, Ariel, Ambi Pur, Head & Shoulders,
packaging and 58% are willing to pay more for it. Pantene, Pampers and Tide, to enable responsible
Alongside this, 67% of consumers expressed concern consumption through packaging that is 100% recyclable
about increased plastic waste during the UK lockdown. or reusable by 2030.

TIPA CEO and co-founder Daphna Nissenbaum said: “The Long road ahead
vast majority of UK consumers are concerned about
The replacement of plastic, however, isn't without its
increased plastic waste, and they are looking to the food
challenges. The biggest is high production cost. As the
industry and the government to empower them to buy
cost of the materials increases it gets more challenging
sustainable alternatives, even if it costs more. “While
to invest in packaging as there is no profit-making for
conventional plastics continue to endanger our oceans,
companies and lack of awareness acts as a barrier. Since
wildlife, natural areas, and our health, compostable
it's not cost-effective for buyers when compared to
packaging can fully degrade and return to the earth
traditional ways of packaging, it's an added cost for them
safely. “Now is the time for decision-makers to show
and so they end up not investing in sustainable products.
leadership, and encourage compostable packaging for
Most businesses try to achieve it without compromising
the sake of the natural environment.”
on the quality of the packaging design.
Back home many of the FMCG have assure to have
On the other side the cost of sustainable packaging is
recycle plastics. The dairy and nutrition company
more than the current available packaging options as it is
Danone India has reiterated its aim to make packaging in
still a new phenomenon and, hence, economies of scale
India 100% recyclable by 2025, Henkel has also been
cannot be achieved. The costs are high and the
working on Plastics reduction. By 2025, Unilever plans to
manufacturers need to invest huge upfront amounts to
make all of its plastic packaging fully reusable,
set up new, or replace current, machinery. The switch to
recyclable or compostable. L'Oréal Paris' Seed
sustainable packaging might add up to 25% in added
Phytonutrients, a personal care brand, uses thin plastic
packaging costs. We need more innovation in sustainable
shells protected by an outer layer of recycled paper,
packaging alternatives before we start seeing mass
besides planning to make 100% of its packaging refillable
market products being offered in environment-friendly
or compostable by 2025. Dior, too, has revealed its new
packaging.
perfume products which are refillable.
In what's becoming a tough economic and environmental
Dabur India is also taking progressive steps to reduce
recovery period, customers have raised expectations for
plastic waste while raising awareness about waste
brands to meet their ethical needs. There is much talk of
management. Shahrukh Khan, Executive Director,
the three R's which packaging provider wholeheartedly
operations, Dabur India, says the brand is committed to
live by Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with an addition of a
becoming a plastic waste-neutral company by the end of
fourth R, Repurpose.
March 2021.
Packaging will need to “transcend its physical form” in
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles used for
order to add value, such as through messaging, customer
beverage products are being re-purposed to make
experience, and socially responsible initiatives.
apparels, footwear, and furniture by many companies.
Gradually brands will have to be eco-conscious and make
At an industry event earlier, Marico Chairman Harsh
it a part of their company culture.
Mariwala said, “We will be moving to 100 percent
July 2020 27 Plastics News