In our daily lives, the use of flexible packaging is ubiquitous, but many of these packages also float in the oceans and rivers. What should the industry do to improve the public image of flexible packaging? At SustPack 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Diego Donoso, president of the Dow Chemical Packaging and Specialty Plastics Division, addressed the issue. He pointed out that compared with many other forms of packaging, flexible packaging is "essentially more sustainable and consumes less energy." "However, from the perspective of recycling after the end of the life cycle, it would be a challenge to make it equally satisfactory."
One of the challenges stems from the lightweight nature of flexible packaging, which requires more than four times the number of bags for 100 bottles. Because of its low density, it will float and it will be more easily perceived by the outside world. Photographed by plastics everywhere in the water, Donoso pointed out that 40% of the wastes found in oceans and rivers are not plastics, and 80% of marine litter originates from land, mainly in Asia Pacific.
"What's on the ocean floor?" he asked, noting that other types of garbage were heavy and would sink. "This has affected our reputation."
Donoso outlines four points that can improve the image of flexible packaging: increasing waste collection; embracing technology; educating and guiding consumers; and creating new application opportunities for recycled flexible packaging.
“As the demand for flexible packaging increases, the industry response is also growing,†Donoso said. “We need to influence the behavior of the public. We need to strengthen the recycling of flexible packaging.â€
Donoso pointed out that Dow introduced a new flexible packaging technology called Retain Polymer Modifier, which can "compatibilize" materials. “With the development of Retain Polymer Modifier, a family of specialty polymers, these problems have been successfully solved, and the sustainability benefits and the special economic benefits of making recycled waste into high-quality films can also be realized,†he added. Retain Polymer Modifier can make the processing performance and optical performance of the material better, which is a very important two performance requirements for many processors.
In the recycling process, value chain cooperation is also important because recyclers need to scale and quantify. This requires the establishment of a municipal waste system to collect and classify plastic films. New recycling perspectives for non-recycled plastics are currently being established, such as the Donoso's Hefty Energy Bag project. The project provided a special plastic bag for the former non-recycled plastic, which was filled by the consumer, recycled at a convenient collection point, and then converted into valuable energy. In Omaha, these bags were transported to a waste incineration power generation site to provide energy for a cement plant.
Donoso pointed out that in Germany, only 2% of solid waste is landfilled because recycling and conversion of waste into energy are the main treatment methods. Non-recycled plastic films can be converted into synthetic fuel oils. “In the United States we are still using landfills, but landfills should be used as a last resort, not as a preferred method,†said Donoso.
“Plastics are being attacked and plastic bag bans are increasing,†he concluded. “Dow promised to reduce waste.â€
One of the challenges stems from the lightweight nature of flexible packaging, which requires more than four times the number of bags for 100 bottles. Because of its low density, it will float and it will be more easily perceived by the outside world. Photographed by plastics everywhere in the water, Donoso pointed out that 40% of the wastes found in oceans and rivers are not plastics, and 80% of marine litter originates from land, mainly in Asia Pacific.
"What's on the ocean floor?" he asked, noting that other types of garbage were heavy and would sink. "This has affected our reputation."
Donoso outlines four points that can improve the image of flexible packaging: increasing waste collection; embracing technology; educating and guiding consumers; and creating new application opportunities for recycled flexible packaging.
“As the demand for flexible packaging increases, the industry response is also growing,†Donoso said. “We need to influence the behavior of the public. We need to strengthen the recycling of flexible packaging.â€
Donoso pointed out that Dow introduced a new flexible packaging technology called Retain Polymer Modifier, which can "compatibilize" materials. “With the development of Retain Polymer Modifier, a family of specialty polymers, these problems have been successfully solved, and the sustainability benefits and the special economic benefits of making recycled waste into high-quality films can also be realized,†he added. Retain Polymer Modifier can make the processing performance and optical performance of the material better, which is a very important two performance requirements for many processors.
In the recycling process, value chain cooperation is also important because recyclers need to scale and quantify. This requires the establishment of a municipal waste system to collect and classify plastic films. New recycling perspectives for non-recycled plastics are currently being established, such as the Donoso's Hefty Energy Bag project. The project provided a special plastic bag for the former non-recycled plastic, which was filled by the consumer, recycled at a convenient collection point, and then converted into valuable energy. In Omaha, these bags were transported to a waste incineration power generation site to provide energy for a cement plant.
Donoso pointed out that in Germany, only 2% of solid waste is landfilled because recycling and conversion of waste into energy are the main treatment methods. Non-recycled plastic films can be converted into synthetic fuel oils. “In the United States we are still using landfills, but landfills should be used as a last resort, not as a preferred method,†said Donoso.
“Plastics are being attacked and plastic bag bans are increasing,†he concluded. “Dow promised to reduce waste.â€
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