Retail Sector Faces Increasing Scrutiny Over Packaging Practices
Retail and e-commerce enterprises are grappling with mounting pressure to mitigate packaging waste and curtail their ecological footprint.
The past decade has witnessed a remarkable surge in e-commerce, with a growing cadre of consumers favoring prompt, next-day delivery options over personal collection.
According to Michael Laurier, Chief Executive of Symphony Environmental Technologies, “The retail sector must perpetually innovate its packaging solutions to align with consumer demand and environmental standards.”
Both e-commerce and traditional retail have begun to eschew plastic due to escalating public anxiety regarding the plastic waste infiltrating ecosystems, which subsequently generates microplastics that persist for generations. Consequently, there has been a discernible shift towards paper and cardboard materials.
Although it may seem that paper is inherently more sustainable than plastic—given its origin from trees—it is imperative to consider the environmental toll of paper production. Producing one ton of paper necessitates the felling of 24 trees, and the energy consumption for a paper bag production is over fourfold that of its plastic counterpart.
Furthermore, cardboard packaging typically occupies more space in storage and during transportation, thereby necessitating larger vehicles that amplify both energy consumption and emissions.
Laurier pointed out that proponents of paper often assert its recyclability, claiming it to be ‘green’; nevertheless, a paper bag must be utilized at least thrice to divulge an environmental benefit greater than the costs of its production.
Yet, paper bags frequently lack the resilience required for multiple uses, often succumbing to tearing after a single handling, especially when exposed to moisture. These bags also lack the robustness of plastic bags, demanding a larger quantity for equivalent utility.
The majority of paper bags are produced by thermally treating wood chips under pressure in a chemical solution, a process that emits toxic substances contributing to air pollution, such as acid rain. This pollution can contaminate water sources and inflict long-lasting harm on food chains.
Notably, paper bags are responsible for 70% more air pollutants and 50% more water pollutants than their plastic counterparts.
This June, Symphony Environmental attained approval from the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Ireland for its innovative d2w technology.
Laurier concluded, “With e-commerce flourishing, there exists an imperative for a paradigm shift in packaging strategies—not only for e-commerce but traditional retail as well. Manufacturers can seamlessly incorporate d2w masterbatch with minimal additional costs, while retailers could opt for more sustainable, cost-effective packaging alternatives.”
Source link: Packagingnews.co.uk.
