| Material | Environmental Advantages | Environmental Disadvantages |
|---|
“Standard” Polythene
eg Mineral oil based HDPE and LDPE | - Low energy production
- Compact: low energy in distribution
- Does not degrade: no poison in landfill
- Does not emit methane in degradation
- Easily recycled once sorted (low melt themoplastic)
- Non Toxic combustion (“energy reclaim”)
- Long life for low material & energy input
- Low bulk:insignificant mass in landfill (0.3%)
| - Dangerous in sea to porpoises, wales, turtles etc
- Difficult to collect for recycling
- Littering
- Thin bags encourage “throwaway” culture
|
“Standard” Polythene
eg Mineral oil based HDPE and LDPE
with “Degradable” additive
eg Co-Op d2w carrierbags
NB: This fragments only does not biodegrade | | - A recyclable material is lost for recycling
- If mixed with other plastics degrades quality of recyclate
- Embrittles into particles, does not bio degrade
- Long term effect on wildlife unknown
- Not IBAW Approved for composting
- Unsuitable for long term packaging or protection
- Does not degrade in a modern, dry landfill
- Consumer confusion with genuine Bioplastics
|
Organic based BioDegradable Polythene
eg PLA (Poly lactic acid) based Bio film
made from corn starch (maize) | - Cropped, “Closed loop” CO2 Emission Chain
- Genuinely biodegrades
- Generally, IBAW Approved compostability
| - Potentially, puts additional pressure on natural habitat for crop use (as biofuels)
- Possibly a GM crop
- Possible use of Agro Chemicals
- May require irrigation
- High energy to crop and manufacture
- Expensive
- “Postcode lottery” of Local Authority kerbside collection of compostables
- Best where composting part of defined lifecycle?
|
| Paper | - “Renewable” resource
- Widespread Local Authority collection for recycling
- Biodegrades in compost or landfill
- Widespread Forestry stewardship
| - High energy to crop, harvest, pulp and Mill
- High energy in paper conversion to product
- Bulky & Heavy: high energy in distribution
- High additive content
|
| Non Woven Fabric (PP) | - Can use recycled Materials
- Does not degrade: benign in landfill
- Does not emit methane in degradation
- Recyclable
- Long Life
| - High energy in fabric manufacture
- High energy in conversion to product
- High energy in distribution: bulky
- Requires long life to achieve energy payback
|
| Jute | - Compostable/Biodegradable (except ldpe liner)
- Very Long Life
| - Potentially, puts additional pressure on natural habitat for crop use
- High energy in Cropping
- High energy in fabric manufacture
- High energy in conversion to product
- High energy in distribution: bulky & heavy
- Requires long life to achieve energy payback
|
| Cotton | - Compostable/Biodegradable
- Very Long Life
- Recyclable
| - Potentially, puts additional pressure on natural habitat for crop use
- Use of agrochemicals
- Requires Irrigation
- High energy in cropping
- High energy in fabric manufacture
- High energy in conversion to product
- High energy in distribution: bulky & heavy
- Requires long life to achieve energy payback
|
| Nylon | - Very Long Life
- Does not degrade: benign in landfill
- Does not emit methane in degradation
- Very Long Life
| - High CO2 in fabric manufacture
- High CO2 in conversion to product
- High CO2 in distribution: bulky
- Requires long life to achieve energy payback
|
There are complex issues here: if you wish to discuss do please phone one of our directors, Nick Varlow, on 0845 644 8186 or email info@anglopackaging.co.uk
