Comparing packaging materials – a clear winner
08.09.2019 - Sustainability, Cartonboard Know-How
Renewable, biodegradable, recyclable – which packaging materials meet the requirements of a functioning circular economy?
Plastic | Aluminium | Glass | Cartonboard | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RENEWABLE | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
RECYCLABLE | ~ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
BIODEGRADABLE | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
CIRCULAR ECONOMY | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
A comparison of all packaging materials with regard to the most important sustainability parameters shows a clear winner
RENEWABLE
—
Plastic
Plastics for the packaging industry (PE, PP, PET) are mainly produced from fossil raw materials (crude oil), which are finite by nature. Only an insignificant proportion is made from renewable raw materials.
RECYCLABLE
—
Plastic
Plastics can technically be recycled, but in practice, accurately separating out sufficient quantities is difficult. In most cases, mixed plastic waste cannot be recycled to the same level of quality, so experts talk about down-cycling instead of recycling.
BIODEGRADABLE
—
Plastic
Plastic has an extremely long lifecycle when exposed to the environment. Plastic packaging takes decades or even centuries to break down. Even oxo-degradable plastics, which are treated with additives so that they dissolve after a certain time, do not completely decompose, but rather disintegrate into microplastic.
The packaging of tomorrow is renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and thus environmentally friendly.
A minimum of energy and resources are consumed by producing it.
For all these reasons, folding cartons represent
the best choice of packaging
in the interests of a circular economy now and in the future.