The Top 10 and Not a 1?

This diagram represents the top ten producers of plastic packaging. The vast majority of the plastic applications that are produced by these brands become waste. All the film packaging, pouches, diapers, detergents, hygiene products, wrappers, coffee bags, food containers and much more, that’s produced by these 10 companies accounts for an astonishing amount of the plastic waste that is certainly not being reused or recycled in any meaningful way.

We hear a lot that environmental pollution is a consumer problem. We get told how to prepare our waste for recycling. “Put this here and put that there. No! Not that, this. Well, sometimes that, but probably not. Maybe, use water and wash it out. No wait – water..? Take it here or actually take it someplace over there."  Sometimes we're even told we should it may need to be shipped somewhere - seriously? And when you stop to take a look at the results of all this effort, you’re left wondering, are you kidding me, is any of this really making any meaningful headway? Enough already!

News Flash: In the last 50 years, we’ve invested heavily in how we manage waste and the infrastructures we utilize. They’re very impressive works of innovation and they’re regulated for environmental efficiency at the highest level. In fact, today 85% of all U.S. municipal solid waste ends-up in an environment that converts biogas into clean energy, generating a valuable alternative resource for our growing energy needs. Some of these companies above are actually using the same means to power their own manufacturing facilities! Yet, accountability for this aspect in packaging design is scarce. How is this possibly being overlooked?

We’re now dealing with decades of plastic waste that’s been left in our environment; we see the devastating repercussions and the projected damage it will cause. Plastic production has surged to 311 million tons and is expected to double in 20 years. Currently, plastic packaging accounts for nearly a third of the total volume of plastics used, and unlikely to be recycled. By ignoring the single most common disposal method of this material, valuable time and energy is being wasted as this environmental problem continues to compound.

If these 10 companies took one simple step to ensure performance compliance with the customary means of disposal, the impact would provide tremendous and measurable value.  Not only are we talking about ridding the planet of plastic waste, it equates to fuel for vehicles, clean electricity for homes and power to industries.   It means getting plastics out of our environment and into the grid.  This responsibility falls on the shoulders of producers, not consumers.

At minimum, plastic applications must adhere to the criteria of the customary discard of the product. This will ensure maximum environmental value.  It’s the last/best option that should be first priority for any packaging sustainability initiative. It’s the missing link to creating circularity; it’s recycling at its highest peak. With an immediate 85% capture rate to ensure clean energy recovery at the fingertips of corporate sustainability leaders, why is this being ignored?