The war against plastic has taken place over a number of years in an attempt to reduce the worlds carbon footprint. But with the product lifecycle as well as the capabilities of materials such as plastic these materials are often the first choice for packing. Whether it is the cheaper costs or the countless uses, this material has become the g to option for business as well as a number of other retailers.
Not All Of It Can Be Recycled
One of the biggest issues with plastic packaging is that not all of it can be recycled. This is due to the chemical makeup of the plastic as well as the quality. Because of this, this is leading to more and more plastic ending up in landfill. Therefore, plastic packaging can be increasing the carbon footprint of your company as well as increasing the amount of waste that is produced.
It Can Be Wasteful
Yes, plastic packaging can be wasteful, because of this it is important to use it sparingly as there is a majority of different packaging’s that are not recyclable. This is material such as the film on the top of fruit punnets as well as thicker plastics. Because of this, it is important to acknowledge how much plastic you are using and work to reduce it. This is particularly important when packaging an item for delivery with a cheap courier service as this can lead to a vast amount of waste packaging and an increased carbon footprint.
It Requires A lot Of Energy To Produce
In addition to being wasteful in terms of excess packaging, it also uses a lot of energy to produce plastic packaging. Therefore, using cardboard or other more natural materials can limit the carbon footprint and encourage people to re-use. Though this may not be as strong as plastic packaging, this can be produced and reused again and again.
It Keeps Food Fresh
Due to the long lifespan of plastic and its capabilities, it is often used in food packaging to prolong the life of the food. By vacuum sealing products with plastic, you can keep them fresh for a prolonged period. This has not only helped with the parcel delivery industry, but this has also helped supermarkets to keep food fresh for longer and increase profit margins.
Lasts Longer Than Alternatives
The final thing you need to know about plastic is that it does not wear. This is part of what has made this style of packaging popular. However, there are other materials such as metal that can b recycled and used again and again. However, one of the biggest contributing factors to this is the price. Often times, the production of plastic packaging and other plastic utensils is cheaper than wood or other materials, also making it a popular choice.
With this in mind, there are a number of ways that plastic can both benefit and hinder your business in the long term, however, cost remains one of the biggest contributing factors behind the popularity of this material within retail.
