In case you haven't heard, it's plastic-free September. The annual event originated in western Australia in 2011 with the aim of encouraging consumers to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics and eliminate plastic waste. It gained global traction in the following years. Plastic Free July Foundation is a registered charity in Australia and although it does not consider plastic an environmental scourge on the planet, many of its supporters do. So it's an opportune moment, I believe, to set a straight record of plastic's environmental impact.

Undeniably waste plastic is a growing problem. However, using plastic is a major factor in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change. This in no way absolves us from the responsibility of properly managing our waste streams, but it is clear that there are more serious sources of greenhouse gases that affect the climate than the polymers we produce. export.

The climate impact of plastic is undeniably positive. A body of recent research, including the “Plastic Lates Impact” report, published earlier this month by McKinsey &Co., supports that plastic actually reduces greenhouse gas emissions by three to four times. compared to some materials often touted as an ethical alternative. Let's take a look at some of the studies that back up the fact that plastic is essentially less harmful to the environment than we've come to believe.

"Plastic is . . . the greenest choice"
According to polymer scientist Chris DeArmitt, who relies on the authenticity of life cycle assessment (LCA) analyzes, "Plastics are often the greenest choice. They are better for the environment than metals, glass, cotton. and often paper, so replacing plastic harms the environment.

"Government agencies in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and Denmark all agree from LCA studies that the single-use polyethylene bags we use today have a much lower environmental impact than the single-use polyethylene bags we use today. potential substitutes such as bioplastics, paper, unbleached paper, cotton or organic cotton."

New technologies show that plastic in the future will be even more environmentally friendly. Henrik Thunman, Professor of Energy Technology at Sweden's Chalmers University of Technology, co-author of a "study" in which he states, "Only a fraction of materials that can be turned into new plastics are currently being recycled. Researchers at Chalmers have now demonstrated how carbon atoms in mixed waste can replace all fossil raw materials in the production of new plastics. natural carbon and can eliminate the climate impact of plastic materials".

Resource costs and CO2 paper bag emissions
DeArmitt goes further on his awesome Plastic Paradox website for example, saying that replacing plastic bags with paper bags requires 2.7 times more energy, produces 1.62 times more CO2  emissions, and consume 17 times more water. It is also estimated that replacing plastic bags in the EU would entail the cutting down of a staggering 2.2 million trees per year and require the equivalent of 60,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools of more water. Furthermore, how much unforeseen environmental damage is caused by the loss of carbon sequestration through the destruction of millions of trees?

The light weight of vehicles in the automotive industry has dramatically reduced fuel consumption for decades through the use of plastic parts that have replaced heavier metal components. Recent advances in recycling technology now mean new life in a different form for many previously non-recyclable plastic auto parts that would otherwise end up in landfills or salvage yards. car.

Plastics also have a profound impact on the food industry by eliminating a large part of greenhouse gas production through the reduction of food waste. Food processing, transportation and storage are all much more efficient, hygienic and safe than when other materials are used.

Food waste, which averages 30 to 40 percent of total landfill waste, continues to be a major source of greenhouse gas emissions globally. It would have been much higher without the use of lightweight, flexible and durable plastic. Thunberg of Chalmers University says their new technology is even capable of bypassing food contamination in plastics being processed, a significant challenge to current recycling methods.

Despite misinformation, misinformed policymaking, and outright lies we've been fed by the media and activists about plastic contributing to climate change, the data is back. tell a much different story.