Emerge

The Future of Plastic Packaging

 Public Meeting Organised by EMERGE Recycling held on Thursday, Nov 24th, 2011

There is over 1 million tonnes of domestic mixed plastics packaging waste going to landfill every year. One third of plastic production is packaging. 4% of oil annually goes to making plastic. 80% of shoreline debris is plastic. Plastic production is increasing by 9% per year. There are increasing concerns about the health impacts of plastic packaging.

Should we be investing more in recycling plants that can sort plastics, or should we be designing packaging that can be more easily recycled? Should we be developing bio-plastics, made from plant material or using non-plastic packaging? Should we be aiming for zero landfill or making plastics bio-degradable? Are we trying to minimise energy use or CO2 production? Or should we simply focus on reducing use of plastics?

Recently, as part of EMERGE's schools project, we held an art competition between a few local schools. The competition was tough, and the entries were fantastic but alas, there has to be a winner in these sorts of things! Congratulations to all that took part.