Plastics
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient. Because the chemical structure of most plastics renders them durable, they are resistant to many natural degradation processes. Plastic is a very useful material for getting our products to consumers safely and efficiently. It’s often the lowest carbon footprint option compared to other materials. However, plastic is ending up in our environment. This has to stop.
Good for Planet & Wellbeing topics related to plastics
- Microplastics
- Decomposition of plastics
- Recycling
Plastic source
- Bio based plastic
- Petroleum based plastic
Goodness DataPoints related to Plastic usage:
- Less Plastic (grams used)
- Better Plastic
- Part virgin vs Part recycled plastics used
- Type of plastics?
- Part microplastics (Grams)
- recyclability of every component (packaging, durable, disposable)
- No plastic (replace with other materials)
Plastics can be used in any part of the product:
- Consumables (e.g. shampoo with microplastics)
- Disposables (e.g. diaper)
- Durables (e.g. toothbrush)
- Packaging
- Primary/Consumer packaging (e.g. blister)
- Shippers (e.g. cartons, displays, pallets)
Plastic soup refers to the huge accumulation of plastic waste that has been thrown away and has ended up in the ocean. As plastic does not degrade biologically, the plastic soup keeps growing in mass.
Nurdles
Carbon footprint
- Throughout their lifecycle, plastics have a significant carbon footprint and emit 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Beyond the hazards posed to the marine and terrestrial environment as well as to humans, plastics are also a substantial contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, plastics generated 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – 3.4% of global emissions – with 90% of these emissions coming from their production and conversion from fossil fuels. By 2060, emissions from the plastics lifecycle are set to more than double, reaching 4.3 billion tonnes of GHG emissions.
Furthermore, airborne microplastics have been found in remote regions, including the Arctic, where they may contribute to accelerated warming through absorbing light and decreasing the surface albedo of snow.
