Imagine a future without marine plastic pollution .
It starts with making more plastics recyclable .
There is growing awareness and concern about marine plastic pollution — and there ’ s an increasing determination to put an end to it . One part of the solution is Project STOP , a joint initiative started in 2017 by SYSTEMIQ and Borealis to help stop the flow of plastics and other materials into the world ’ s rivers and oceans .
Another part of the solution is to further develop infrastructure to collect and recycle plastic packaging , especially in the world ’ s fast-developing nations . Of course , that also requires making plastic goods , particularly plastic packaging , more recyclable to support a circular economy that puts more recycled plastics into new products — and less into places where they don ’ t belong .
Initiatives like Project STOP will test and develop new solutions with the potential to seriously slow — and eventually eliminate — the flow of plastics into the world ’ s oceans . Together with work to develop more recycling and recovery technologies and more recyclable products , we can realize the promise of a circular economy .
Below are some emerging trends that are yielding promising results .
More applications for recycled plastic material . The plastics industry is investing in research and development centered around technology for creating “ clean ” recycled polyethylene and incorporating it into finished products with performance comparable to 100 % virgin plastic .
Simpler is better for the environment . Many food packages are made with a mix of materials , making them difficult to recycle . Companies are now working with their suppliers to eliminate foil , nylon and other materials and move to single-material , recyclable flexible film structures .
The bottom line : Recyclable plastic packaging has value as recyclate , adding an incentive to implement new waste collection and recycling systems that can go a long way toward keeping plastics out of the world ’ s oceans .
The more flexible , the smaller the footprint . Replacing traditional materials like cans , glass and cardboard with flexible plastic packaging significantly reduces packaging volume , reducing the carbon footprint during production and shipping .
One-piece closures for easier recyclability . Another important trend is the shift from two-piece , mixed-material closures to one-piece , recyclable closures in beverage and other containers .
What about food waste ?
Advances in package integrity — improved barrier , toughness and seal — in polyethylene-based flexible film structures help improve package integrity and extend shelf life . That means less food is spoiled , which reduces landfill waste and even more importantly , helps to address world hunger . It ’ s a win-win .