Page 48 - Plastics News June 2024

FEATURE NEWS

ing materials throughout their entire material selection. Furthermore, as the global population
life cycle, from production to disposal. LCA Challenges and consumerism rise, transitioning
This systematic approach helps manu- to sustainable food packaging solu-
facturers minimize negative environ- Despite its benefits, LCA encounters tions such as biopolymers, supported
mental impacts at various stages of the challenges like data sensitivity and by thorough LCAs, becomes increas-
product life cycle. The LCA process, commonly used linear assumptions ingly crucial. This approach addresses
structured in stages—goal and scope in analysis. Additionally, the accuracy environmental concerns and supports
definition, inventory analysis, impact of LCA results largely depends on the the circular economy, enhancing the
assessment, and interpretation—en- quality of data and specific regional sustainability of the food packaging
sures a comprehensive assessment of and temporal factors that impact envi- sector.
environmental impacts and guides im- ronmental effects. Source – Plastic Engineering
provements in packaging design and

There’s a Simple New Way to Recycle Polystyrene

At a Glance deployment. from packaging, packing “peanuts”,
cushioning, and other sources is recy-
• Pyrolysis followed by distillation cled.
enables efficient recycling. Despite the best efforts of suppliers
• Up to 60% of polystyrene could and industry groups, polystyrene is Worse, polystyrene that isn’t recycled
ends up in landfills, oceans, rivers, or
be recycled vs. less than 5% now. generally viewed as unrecyclable and beaches where it sheds microplastics
therefore environmentally unfriendly.
• The use of proven technologies for decades.
means the process is poised for In fact, less than 5% of polystyrene
However, a new analysis from re-

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PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS
June 2024