We start 2020 with climate change and global warming bigger issues than ever before. As the real impact of a warming world hits home to populations around the globe, can we hope for faster change than we have seen so far?
This year also marks the start of changes to regulations in single use plastics. The UK has pledged to honour the single use plastics directive introduced by the EU, and this year certain single-use plastic items including plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds will be outlawed in England in a bid to limit the amount of plastic pollution. As these changes start to take effect, I expect to see industry taking more steps towards running a sustainable business ensuring that waste is recycled or reused and thinking about alternatives to plastic in existing products.
Sectors like promotions and events are heavily reliant on plastic and this is something that needs tackling with engagement from all those working in the sector. Single use plastics are only part of the problem – we must all think more creatively about what we can do to tackle the plastics issue in the long term as more and more businesses turn away from plastic use and encourage sustainability. We still receive briefs for plastic giveaways but we are increasingly trying to offer sustainable alternatives.
So where do we think the next ten years will take us?
The single use plastics ban in Europe and in the UK should make a considerable difference to businesses’ sustainability strategy and make them think more strategically about how to make their products biodegradable or recyclable. Major corporations like McDonalds and Coca Cola have already pledged to reduce single use plastics in response to legislation and consumer preference. The pressure from the general public will continue to grow and so those businesses that are reluctant will ultimately be forced to act if they don’t want to lose custom. Where plastic can’t be completely eliminated I suspect that businesses will certainly look at using plastic that can be recycled and used for other purposes.
As a business that has sold single use plastics products, we have worked hard over the last few years to make our products more sustainable so we can stop relying on plastic. One of our most popular creations replaces single use plastic balloon sticks for sturdy cardboard versions which can be recycled. This invention called BalloonGrip®, recently won the Save the Planet Award at the European Carton Excellence Awards in Malta. We have also developed sustainable bunting and flags that use cotton and paper over plastic. We have been working hard to innovate and the new sustainable versions of old plastic products have been really popular with clients.
Packaging, particularly single use plastic packaging, is likely to disappear from our shelves over the next few years as businesses try alternatives or do away with packaging altogether. The changes have already started with Waitrose trialling a store where packaging has been removed and customers bring their own containers to fill up on produce such as pasta, cereals and other products. Morrisons supermarket has already pledged to make all its own brand packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 in a bid to reduce plastic within its stores and last year launched a new labelling system asking customers to recycle, reuse or return packaging to their stores if it can’t be recycled at kerbside. McDonald’s opened a nearly plastic free store in Berlin for 10 days as a pilot to test the public’s views on environmentally sustainable packaging. In the same way but on a much smaller scale, we have spent a lot of time talking to our clients about the changes that they felt would make our products work better for them. The concept of a cardboard balloon stick came about directly as a result of client feedback regarding single use plastic balloon sticks.
The spotlight on plastic products has already resulted in many businesses investing in R&D to find alternative raw materials for their products. This is great news but I remain sceptical about some of the claims that products are compostable or 100% biodegradable. Who says so? Businesses must be held to account by consumers to provide proof of product testing and to what standards these claims are made.
I think over the next few years, that we will start to see significant changes in the way that plastic is used across a wide range of business sectors. We must all be aware of the responsibility that our decisions now will mean for future generations. Innovation and creativity will help to bring about change in industry practice and encourage companies to think more sustainably and decrease their reliance on plastic. Let’s see where we are when we look back in 2030!
By Andy MacInnes, Commercial Director, B-Loony
