Reusable or Disposable? The Plastic Dilemma

Manufacturers must find a greener alternative to packaging and make conscious efforts to retrieve their packaging for recycling and also reuse them in order to produce less plastics

Many of us know that plastic pollution is a threat to the environment, but have we ever been conscious of our choices regarding single-use and reusable plastics?

From food to toiletries, plastic packaging is everywhere! Moreover, around 85 per cent of plastics end up in landfills, get incinerated, or are washed into the oceans even though they can be recycled. With waste management still a towering problem, disposable plastics have multiplied the production of plastic waste on an unprecedented level, and has now become s a global issue.

What is the responsible approach for reusable plastics?

Plastics are widely used for packaging due to their durability and its ability to keep the product safe from water and dust. Manufacturers must find a greener alternative to packaging and make conscious efforts to retrieve their packaging for recycling and also reuse them in order to produce less plastics. However, plastic is plastic, and it still damages the environment, so what is the permanent solution?

The popularity of disposable packaging

Reusable plastics are not a popular choice among manufacturers as it requires additional cost to transport and process the procured plastic. This is a cost not every manufacturer wants to bear! Hence, despite being aware of the environmental impact, businesses resolve to disposable packaging.

Disposables have a great advantage over reusable plastics as they are easier and cheaper to manufacture, procure, and get rid of. This way, businesses do not take responsibility for the plastic waste generated once their product has been used or consumed. The ease involved in using disposables shuts out the conscience of many businesses, the price of which is paid by nature!

However, many of the materials used in manufacturing plastic disposables are not recyclable or biodegradable. As a result, this waste ends up in the oceans, in landfills, or is incinerated.

Plastics and their impact on biodiversity

Plastic pollution is a serious threat to biodiversity. It severely impacts plant and animal species, ruining their natural habitats and impeding their ability to exist, survive, and function naturally. The impact of plastic pollution is worse to marine life, and it also affects terrestrial ecosystems. Plastic releases harmful toxins into the environment at various stages of its life cycle, and the pollutants have a longer lifespan than humans.

Contaminated water bodies also affect civilizations, while plastic on terrestrial land has consumed the lives of numerous animals.

In simple words, ALL plastic is a threat to all existing ecosystems.

Sustainable packaging wins the debate!

Sustainability is the key to saving our planet from consequences we can’t cope with for long!

Manufacturers must switch to eco-friendly packaging solutions. This move would greatly bring down the plastic pollution levels and reduce its impact on the environment.

Sustainable packaging materials are environmentally friendly since they are sourced, produced, and disposed of in a manner that radically reduces their environmental impact and carbon footprint.

Here are some sustainable packaging materials businesses can opt for:

• Biodegradable plastics: These plastics decompose naturally in the environment without leaving any harmful residues behind. They are made from renewable sources such as sugarcane, cornstarch, etc.
• Compostable materials: Packaging that uses compostable materials like cardboard, paper, and certain bioplastics can be broken down into organic matter in equipped composting facilities, thus reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
• Plant-based bioplastics: Bioplastics that are derived from plant sources such as algae, corn, etc, offer a renewable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
• Mushroom packaging: Mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, is biodegradable and can be molded into various shapes for packaging.
• Edible packaging: Such kind of innovative solutions involve creating packaging that is edible and dissolves in water. This would not only reduce waste but it is an out-of-the-box innovation and alternative to traditional packaging methods.
• Agricultural waste: Materials that are derived from agricultural by-products, such as wheat straw, can be used for packaging. 
• Seaweed packaging: Seaweed-based materials are biodegradable, renewable, and can be used for various kinds of packaging like film wraps and containers.

In conclusion

If your house is on fire, would you run away or would you try to extinguish the fire? The crux is to get rid of the fire, isn’t it?

The same goes for our planet. Whether we use reusable plastics or disposable plastics, the unregulated production of plastic is the problem!

Approximately 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic waste each year. A truckload of plastic enters the ocean every second. At least 1,557 animal species have consumed plastic and suffered. And we recycle only 9 per cent of the global plastic waste.

These statistics make the entire argument over reusable plastics versus disposable plastics void. It is high time we shift to sustainable options before we become helpless spectators of the destruction we’ve foolishly caused.

**Sources for statistics: https://blog.cleanhub.com/plastic-pollution-facts