Recently, it was announced that a remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean which is home to less than 600 people contains more than 400 million pieces of plastic waste weighing 238 tons. The vast amount of plastic that is part of the global packaging industry is a pivotal part of the world’s plastic waste crisis. All this plastic waste contributes to irreversible damage to our environment. Of the estimated 400 million tons of plastic the world produces each year, 40% (160 million tons) is earmarked for single-use packaging and thrown away.
For years, we’ve been indoctrinated to believe recycling is the answer; saving the world is as simple as filling a blue or green container and wheeling it to the curb once or twice a week. Sadly, it turns out that 91% of all plastics end up in landfills, incinerators or our oceans, and in about 30 years, the number of plastics in the ocean will outnumber fish by weight. The packaging industry is a large part of this problem. The amount of protective packaging is staggering. The overwhelming amount of such packaging can’t be easily recycled.
A biodegradable, fiber-based alternative may be the answer: paper.
Paper is being increasingly seen as an environmentally-friendly, viable alternative to foam and plastic packaging. Consumers seem to understand the importance of this shift: a recent survey found that 9 out of 10 consumers would choose paper-based packaging, if given a choice. At Pioneer Packaging Worldwide, we’re committed to offering innovative, sustainable solutions that embrace corporate social responsibility while respecting the environment and the future. To learn more about our commitment using environmentally-friendly packaging, contact us today.