How can packaging cause damage to the environment

Without "single use" plastic packaging food waste would increase, more energy would be used and more carbon emissions would result.

Plastic packaging production uses about half as much energy as alternative materials. Plastics are also a very lightweight packaging medium, which means less energy is used to transport goods protected by plastic packaging. The plastics industry is committed to using even less energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The plastics and thin film industry comfortably achieved the target reduction set for the first monitoring period of January — December The hierarchy indicates the preferred method of waste management, beginning with the most desired option: prevention.

Prevention : plastic packaging is lighter than it used to be — this means less raw materials are used. The industry also engages in an agreement to work towards reducing packaging and waste called the Courtauld Commitment.

Preparing for re-use: Many types of plastics packaging are long-life artefacts. For example, returnable crates have lifespans of over 25 years and re-usable bags are playing a greater role in responsible retailing.

Recycling : Plastic recycling is always improving. Plastic packaging can have a new lease of life in building and construction or as furniture, a bag or footwear. View examples. Other recovery: At the end of its life plastic packaging can be submitted to energy-fromwaste schemes. Plastics are an effective energy source because they have a high calorific value. Disposal : No plastics should be put in landfill. The majority of litter in the seas and oceans comes from outside of Europe, so it's vitally important that other countries also take action.

Marine litter — like litter in our cities and towns — is largely due to the thoughtless disposal of waste on land. Tackling this issue requires us to focus on changing the way people discard items in our communities. Source: European Commission. Our Oceans, Seas and Coasts. Source: Jambeck et al. As these people are left to rely on dumpsites, which are often located near oceans or waterways, it is understandable how this leakage occurs.

Learn more about plastic in the ocean. The plastics industry is very active in helping to understand and reduce litter. We work with a variety of non-governmental organisations NGOs and charities to educate and hange behaviour. These initiatives need to be complimented by government enforcement of anti-litter legislation. Focused on the entire length of the River Clyde and its tributaries, the campaign will raise awareness, gather evidence and inspire action.

Connecting communities, individuals, schools, and the private and public sectors, everyone has a part to play in keeping the Clyde clean and protecting our seas. The trial will run for six months and commenceD with a launch in Leeds on October 9th Burning plastic emits toxic pollutants and irritants into the air we breathe.

Reducing the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills can dramatically increase air quality around the world. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

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Browse Library. Log In Create Account. Packaging waste the problem. About this step Gaining an understanding of the issues surrounding packaging waste is the first step in mitigating it. What is the problem Plastics are a product of human innovation as they are lightweight, durable, decay resistant, inexpensive and moldable. Reducing the amount of packaging we use, or avoiding it altogether, is a very effective way of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and its effect on our environment.

Environment Victoria believes that there are two key things we can do to solve the packaging problem. Environment Victoria is a member of the Boomerang Alliance , which aims to give local communities power and influence in their struggle to stem the massive waste of discarded resources polluting our playgrounds, parks, rivers and beaches.

See their campaigns at www. Environment Victoria. Who we are About us. Join Us. Packaging is a climate problem Packaging waste pollutes our air, water and soil. Eliminate the Need for Packaging. Carry reusable shopping bags. Avoid plastic bags as much as possible. Carry reusable, stainless steel coffee mugs and water bottles and read more about the impact of disposable coffee cups here. Use stainless steel straws or go strawless!

Help enact bag bans where you live. Many cities and towns have put bag bans in place. Buy and Eat Fewer Packaged Foods. Avoid plastic packaging, wherever and whenever possible. Buy the largest container available — single-serving sizes take more packaging. Or, where possible, buy foods from the bulk bin section of the grocery store, using your own containers. Make your own food from scratch when you can: whole foods require less packaging.

Consider growing and canning your own food. Bodamer, David. Chapter Food Packaging. April World Bank Group. The National Academies Press , US Energy Information Administration. United Nations Environment Programme. Ocean Conservancy. EPA, March