Single-use plastics are widely used throughout the packaging and food and beverage sectors. They may provide unprecedented convenience and help support food safety, but they also pose a variety of environmental and health concerns. Today, regulations and innovations are pushing the shift away from plastics and toward safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Why Single-Use Plastics Are So Widely Used
Single-use plastic packaging meets many of the key needs of the modern fast-paced world. Portioned, ready-to-eat meals can be easily stored, transported, and consumed while maintaining product integrity. Plastics provide an excellent barrier against moisture, oxygen, and contaminants, preserving freshness and quality.
Many of these packaging designs have significantly extended shelf life. Multi-layer polymer films are particularly effective at slowing spoilage and preserving food texture and flavor. Not only does this improve the customer experience, but it also helps reduce food waste.
Lightweight and flexible plastic packaging has delivered clear logistical advantages. Manufacturers have been able to pack more products into less space and reduce transportation costs. These same qualities make plastic-packaged goods more economically attractive for manufacturers and distributors as well.
Environmental and Health Impacts of Plastics
Despite these advantages, single-use plastics have taken a heavy toll on the environment. Food packaging accounts for roughly half of all fossil-fuel-based plastics produced in the packaging industry. Globally, around 5 trillion plastic bags are used each year. Many types of packaging are lightweight and easily dispersed, quickly working their way into waterways and oceans.
A study by the Philly Watersheds organization in 2015 highlighted the extent of this problem. They found that 55.8% of litter collected from the Schuylkill River was plastic, with 77% of that being bottles. Over time, exposure to sunlight, wind, and microbial action breaks these larger pieces down into microplastics consisting of particles smaller than 5 mm that can persist for decades.
This trend is commonplace around the globe. The OECD Global Plastics Outlook states that 22 million tonnes of plastics leaked into the environment in 2019, with 88% being macroplastics and 12% microplastics.
Image: OECD
The amount of plastic entering the environment has a profound impact on wildlife. Sea turtles are among the most vulnerable examples, with a study finding microplastics in the digestive systems of all seven species examined. Sea turtles can mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, become entangled in discarded fishing gear and six-pack rings, resulting in injury, impaired feeding, and death.
A paper published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials by ERA Co-founder and CEO/CTO Sarah Sajedi breaks down how the risks of plastic pollution extend to human health. Unveiling the hidden chronic health risks of nano- and microplastics in single-use plastic water bottles: A review highlights critical risks such as how polycarbonate bottles can leach BPA, especially when exposed to heat. BPA exposure is linked to neurological, hormonal, and cardiovascular health concerns. Polystyrene food containers also present concerns, as higher temperatures and fatty goods can increase styrene migration, posing a potential health hazard.
Regulations Focused on Reducing Single-Use Plastics
Some governments are implementing policy shifts to address these concerns. In Canada, the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations came into effect in June 2022. It banned a variety of single-use items, including checkout bags, cutlery, certain foodservice ware, ring carriers, stir sticks, and straws.
On a local scale, municipalities are expanding public water refill stations, introducing composting programs, and implementing targeted bans. Companies throughout a variety of industries are taking additional measures, such as changing packaging design and material selection, to provide more sustainable options for their customers.
Internationally, many organizations are working toward broader agreements. The United Nations is undertaking negotiations to create a legally binding global plastics treaty aimed at addressing the full life cycle of plastics. Many countries are also introducing extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes that shift the financial and logistical burden of waste management onto producers.
Community-Level Changes and Cultural Shifts
Many communities are moving beyond compliance to actively encourage plastic-free practices. Grocery stores are introducing a variety of sustainable packaging options, from cardboard berry containers to mesh produce bags and traditional glass jars. At restaurants, you’ll often find foam and plastic takeout boxes replaced with aluminum or wax-lined pulp containers. While they’ve been a contentious topic, cardboard straws and reusable shopping bags have become familiar sights in many areas.
The attitude of the public in general is also evolving. There are more resources than ever before to help consumers understand the impact of certain packaging materials, with the Environmental Working Group being a great example. A survey by Dalhousie University found that 93.7% of respondents are personally motivated to reduce single-use plastic food packaging due to its environmental impact.
Innovations and Alternatives to Plastics
Material science is opening the door to a variety of innovative packaging solutions that move away from petroleum-based plastics. Bio-based polymers are some of the most effective solutions, using renewable resources such as plant starches, cellulose, and lignin to create materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). These materials can be used to create bottles, jars, cutlery, films, and bags, much like conventional plastics.
Of course, there are also plenty of alternatives that predate plastics and are making a major comeback as the environmental impact of plastics has become better understood.
- Stainless steel is being used for cups, lunch boxes, water bottles, and more, thanks to its exceptional durability and reusability.
- Glass containers and jars provide versatile and recyclable options for all kinds of food storage, all free from chemical leaching.
- Food-grade silicone has been implemented in applications requiring flexibility and safety, including straws, bakeware, and children’s products.
- Beeswax wraps can replace single-use plastic cling film while being both reusable and biodegradable.
- Bamboo and sustainably sourced wood are seeing use in a variety of utensils, delivering the required strength through renewable materials.
- Cardboard and molded pulp packaging are becoming increasingly common in produce and dry goods.
Choosing effective plastic alternatives for a given application can be a challenge. There are both the requirements of the specific application to consider, along with assessing whether the alternative material represents a genuine improvement. Both environmental protection and value recovery are two key areas to consider. This decision matrix from Environment and Climate Change Canada breaks down how to evaluate plastic alternatives.
Image: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Advancements in recycling and processing technologies are also helping make packaging materials more environmentally friendly. New sorting systems implementing eddy currents, flotation, magnetic separation, and advanced mechanical filtering are making managing mixed plastic waste more viable. Pyrolysis and gasification are being applied to thermosets and elastomers, producing syngas, heat, and biochar for reuse. Improvements in compostable materials aim to ensure breakdown in both industrial and marine environments, although durability and performance remain challenges for some bio-based options.
Traditionally, efforts to reduce waste have been focused largely on recycling. However, there is growing interest in implementing creative ways to reuse materials as well. ERA’s free Waste Minimization Guides provide clear guidance and actionable insights on how facilities across a wide range of industries can reduce their waste.
Practical Steps You Can Take at Home
There’s no doubt that much of the work to be done to reduce plastic pollution falls on government and industry. However, there are important actions for individuals to take as well. Implementing a few simple daily habits can help you reduce your personal plastic consumption:
- Familiarize yourself with local recycling guidelines, pick-up, and drop-off locations.
- Invest in durable reusable shopping bags and containers for bulk produce.
- Go with locally grown fruits and vegetables when possible to reduce packaging.
- Choose restaurants with non-plastic takeout containers.
- Try to repurpose and reuse unavoidable plastic containers whenever possible.
Making these small but consistent changes can help reduce demand for single-use plastics and encourage businesses to provide better alternatives.
Shaping a Future Without Single-Use Plastics
Single-use plastics brought about major improvements in food safety, shelf life, and convenience, but we now know that those benefits came at a major cost to the environment. With plastic pollution having reached a tipping point, governments, organizations, and individuals around the world are working to transition toward sustainable packaging.
There are many plastic alternatives available to meet the wide range of applications that plastics have been used in. From the latest materials science advancements to returning to traditional methods, there are more options than ever for consumers to make sustainable purchasing decisions.
At ERA Environmental, we support companies in accurately evaluating and tracking their waste and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. Whether making decisions for more sustainable operations at your facility or implementing consistent changes in your day-to-day life, we can all have a positive impact on reducing plastic pollution. Let us know how you’re replacing plastics at work, home, or anywhere else!
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