What role does the plastics industry play in a sustainable future?

Plastics have been under increased scrutiny over the past years. Mismanaged plastic waste escaping into the environment can cause well-documented harm. So why do we use plastics in the first place?

Alternatives to plastic might not be as desirable as many would like to think. The overall life cycle impacts of materials need to be considered early in the decision-making process. All materials have environmental costs and plastic often has lower overall impacts from a life cycle perspective. This is because plastic typically requires less material to perform a specific function when compared to alternative materials. There are other factors to consider too, such as preventing food waste, using less energy when transporting goods, and the net benefits of recycling and recovering plastic, which are often higher compared to other materials. People often forget about the many long-life applications plastic has, such as making vehicles lighter, homes more energy efficient or providing us with clean, safe drinking water (via plastic pipes). It is also used in onshore and offshore renewable energy generation. In 2021, the British Plastics Federation published Sustainability in the Plastics Supply Chain, which demonstrates how the plastics industry is embedding sustainability initiatives within all stages of the supply chain.3 Examples range from reducing energy demand in plastics processing to facilitating the uptake of eco-design principles, as well as establishing the first international standard on preventing plastic pellet loss.

The recent UK government announcement regarding the ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution, as well as the UK’s net zero emissions target by 2050, will not be possible without the use of plastic. The BPF has also published a webpage that shows how plastic is vital in meeting the United Nations General Assembly’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).4

However, when it comes to capturing more plastics in the national recycling infrastructure, reducing the UK’s reliance on exports and developing new business models support a truly circular economy, there is more to be done. Improving the situation involves industry, government and the public working together to ensure that the materials we use have multiple, useful lives wherever possible.

Sustainability in the Plastics Supply Chain can be downloaded for free

3. This can be viewed or downloaded at: www.bpf.co.uk/sustainability 4. Viewable at: www.bpf.co.uk/sdgs