Packaging the Future - A Wrap-Up of the Circular Economy

Packaging is a ubiquitous part of life in the 21st century, and it plays a crucial role in the protection and preservation and transportation of goods, in particular food and drinks. However, the production and disposal of packaging can also have a significant impact on the environment.

On top of that, packaging requires significant amounts of resources and energy to manufacture, thus pushing up the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention the myriad other environmental impacts.

The packaging industry as a whole has a critical role to play in the development of the circular economy, largely due to the vast amounts of waste it creates and the significant amounts of resources it uses. Packaging accounts for a high proportion of worldwide municipal solid waste. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an estimated 36% of plastic packaging is single-use, with 85% of that ending up in landfills.

What’s more, the UNEP estimates that 98% of single-use plastics used in the manufacture of packaging are produced from fossil fuels or virgin feedstock. According to the organisation’s forecasts, the level of greenhouse gas emissions connected with the manufacture, use and disposal of fossil-fuel-based plastic is set to grow to 19% of the world’s carbon budget by 2040.

Establishing a circular economy in the packaging industry would result in increased resource efficiency, less waste going to landfill and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Creating such a system however would require a major paradigm shift which would see all stakeholders moving away from the traditional linear model of “take-make-waste” towards a closed-loop system in which materials and resources are kept in use for as long as possible.

By closing the loop on material use, we can create a more sustainable and responsible industry that benefits the environment and the economy. Here’s a closer look at why the circular economy is so vital for the future of the packaging sector and what it can bring to the table.

Reducing Waste

One of the biggest benefits that creating a closed-loop circular economy would have for the packaging sector is waste reduction. Not only is waste reduction better for the environment, but it can also save companies money on materials and on waste disposal.

Packaging makes up a large portion of the waste produced across the world, and a large proportion of it ends up in landfills or leaking out into the environment – usually the oceans - as pollution. By reusing the materials we have, as opposed to constantly producing new ones, companies can cut down on waste and help do their bit for sustainability and the environment.

Increasing Efficiency

Another major benefit of the circular economy is that it makes things more efficient. Instead of using resources to create new materials and products, we can reuse what we already have. This saves time, energy, and money, and helps to create a more efficient and effective system across the value chain.

Lowering Emissions

Making the circular economy a reality in the packaging industry can also aid in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Packaging manufacture uses a lot of energy, and by using recycled materials and creating closed-loop recycling systems, we can reduce the energy consumption and emissions associated with packaging production simply by not having to manufacture them again from scratch. This has a positive impact on the environment and helps to address the issue of climate change, as well as cutting overall costs.

Job Creation

Finally, establishing a circular economy has the potential to create a plethora of new jobs and economic opportunities for the packaging sector. By increasing the use of recycled materials and developing closed-loop recycling systems, we can create a new industry around recycling and waste management, with businesses popping up to fill the increased demand. This can bring new jobs and economic benefits to communities and help to create a more sustainable and responsible future.

The Challenges Ahead

While all of this sounds great on paper, there are plenty of hurdles to be overcome if the packaging sector is to make a circular economy a reality.

Awareness and Education

A lot of people, both consumers and producers, simply don’t understand what a circular economy is or why it’s so vitally important. This makes it difficult to get everyone on board and working towards the same goal. Public support for such systems is vital if we are to truly change our systems and make them more sustainable.

What is needed is a raising of awareness and more widespread education about the benefits a circular economy can bring. This way, both the private and public sectors, as well as the general public, can all do their part to make it a reality.

Infrastructure and Technology

Another challenge is the lack of the necessary infrastructure and technology to support a circular economy. Businesses need to work with governments at a national and local level to develop and roll out effective collection and recycling systems, as well as for procuring the new technologies needed for recycling different types of packaging materials. These systems also need to be easily understood by the public at large. Without these, the creation of a circular economy in the packaging industry will remain nothing more than just a pipe dream.

Regulation and Policy

Finally, we need supportive government policies and regulations in order to make a circular economy a reality. This includes policies that encourage the use of recycled materials, the development of closed-loop recycling systems, and the reduction of waste and emissions associated with packaging production and disposal.

Without these, it will be difficult to create the changes needed within the packaging industry. While there has been some progress in this area, such as the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan and the UK’s Circular Economy Package, both of which aimed to tighten the rules in this area, critics have said that it does not go far enough.

Closing the Loop

The creation of a closed-loop circular economy in the packaging industry has the potential to bring significant environmental and economic benefits. By reducing waste, increasing resource efficiency, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, a circular economy would help to create a more sustainable and responsible packaging industry.

It’s a big idea with a lot of potential benefits, but there are still many challenges to overcome as well. The implementation of a circular economy in the packaging sector requires the support of consumers, manufacturers, and policy makers, as well as the development of effective collection and recycling systems and the continued availability of new technologies, that are affordable to businesses of all sizes.