Overcoming Issues in Supplying Sustainable Plastics

With the growing recognition of the impact of plastic waste on the environment, consumers and governments are demanding sustainable alternatives and recycling infrastructure.

The clamor is in line with efforts to reduce the 400 million tons of plastics that end up in landfills and oceans every year. As a result, suppliers and other chain players must adapt and find ways to produce and supply sustainable plastics.

Circular Economy Principles

In a circular economy, materials and products are used for as long as possible. This usually involves what is commonly known as the 4Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, and reverse logistics. Suppliers can adopt these principles in the supply chain as follows:

Reduce

Reducing the amount of virgin plastic in their products or packaging can divert waste from getting into landfills or oceans. Suppliers should instead use biodegradable plastics.

Reuse

Reusable packaging helps to create a closed-loop system where the same material is used multiple times, thus promoting sustainability. This reduces the need for single-use plastics, which would end up in landfills and oceans.

Recycle

Recycling helps extend the life cycle of plastics and reduce waste. Suppliers can collaborate with recycling companies to establish a closed-loop system where their plastic products are collected and processed to create new ones.

Reverse Logistics

Reuse can only be implemented if adequate systems and infrastructure are in place to collect and transport used plastic products back to the manufacturer. Suppliers should be working with government bodies, waste management companies, and manufacturers to establish reverse logistics systems.

Sourcing Eco-Friendly Plastics

Conventional plastics that end up as waste are usually polymers of petrochemicals. These include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, all of which are non-biodegradable for the following reasons:

• The polymerization process of monomers creates long-chain molecules that are chemically stable and resistant to biodegradation.
• They are chemically inert.
• They are hydrophobic, meaning they repel moisture, which is essential for microbial degradation.
• They contain chemical additives that make it hard for enzymatic degradation.
• Their chemical bonds are often non-biodegradable.

Biodegradable plastics, which are sustainable alternatives, are gradually gaining popularity. The biodegradable plastic market was valued at $7.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $20.9 billion by 2028.

This means there is an increasing availability of eco-friendly plastics that suppliers and other industry players can source. These plastics can be classified into three:

Bioplastics

The polymers in bioplastics are synthesized from renewable/organic sources that can be broken down by microbial action. These include:

• PLA (polylactic acid) is made from cornstarch.
• PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) come from bacteria or algae.
• Bio-PET (bio-polyethylene terephthalate) is 30% biomass and 100% recyclable.
• Notpla is made from seaweed.

Biodegradable Plastics

They are created from petrochemicals but also have additives that help them break down under specific conditions, unlike conventional plastics. These additives include:

• Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)
• Polybutylene succinate (PBS)

Recycled Plastics

These are plastics made of post-consumer/industrial waste through mechanical or chemical processes. They can either be:

• Circulars such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
• Downcycled such as HDPE (high-density polyethylene)

Compliance With Standards and Regulations

Many government regulations are in place for producing, using, and disposing of virgin plastics. Bans and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes are good examples.

In these schemes, producers are held accountable for the end-of-life management of their products. Suppliers should adhere to these regulations.

They should also comply with industry standards and certifications from the following organizations:

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• ASTM International
• B11 Standards Committee
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

Investing in Research and Development

Although they have been around for a while, eco-friendly plastics still lack many essential properties. Their adoption is limited by the following factors:

• They are 20-30% more expensive than conventional plastics due to their high production costs
• Manufacturers still need to improve their mechanical properties, such as strength, flexibility, and heat resistance.
• They lack standardized testing methods and certification guidelines.

Creating Market Demand Through Public Awareness

• Suppliers need to invest in raising consumer awareness to boost the demand for sustainable plastics. 
• Governments can also drive the market demand for eco-friendly plastics through legislation, including higher taxes on virgin plastic production.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Collaboration within the supply chain can help advance the use of sustainable plastics and the recycling of virgin plastics. For example, it can help with the sourcing of eco-friendly plastics. 
• Partnerships between waste management companies can also help establish reverse logistics systems, which is a pillar of the circular economy model.

The Plastics Industry Association Is at the Forefront of the Sustainable Plastics Movement

As a leading advocate for the adoption of sustainable plastics, the Plastics Industry Association provides resources, education, and networking opportunities for suppliers and other industry players looking to transition from conventional to biodegradable plastics.

Contact the Plastics Industry Association today to learn more about sustainable plastics.