The Case for Recycled Plastic

Plastic gets a bad rap and so it should sometimes, but the reality is that plastic literally makes the world function

We all make better decisions with better knowledge and in line with this, I want to share a couple of plastic facts. To be clear, I am an environmental warrior who makes and sells artisan body products under the brand Two-Winged Fruit.

I am a responsible, PhD educated scientist who advocates for organics, palm oil free products and social equity. I also believe that we are all more powerful when better informed. And that includes understanding plastic in a more holistic sense.

Much of what is good about plastic also has a corresponding down side and it's often the downside we focus on, looking right past the benefits we gain from plastic products every day.

Plastic in aerospace

There are literally times and places where plastic is a better alternative to metal.  Because plastic is a lightweight, strong and versatile, it's particularly important in places like the aerospace industry. Some plastic aeroplane components can be as much as ten times lighter than their metal counterparts resulting in increased fuel efficiency and a reduction in greenhouse gas pollution in their transportation. 

Plastic in Public Health

While there are many health debates about different plastics, plastic has enormous benefits to public health and in emergencies, e.g. for providing sanitary ways of injecting vaccines or medicine, and for transporting potable water to areas affected by disaster. 

Environmental cost

Setting aside its source and its potential volatility, the environmental cost to make a plastic drink container or cosmetics bottle is less than one made of alternative material, e.g. glass, tin or aluminium. This is because, although per kilogram plastic can be more environmentally costly to make, there is about 4 times less plastic (by weight) used to arrive at an item that performs the same function.

One plastic item can replace many made of another material. For example, one plastic take-away coffee cup can replace hundreds of paper cups, and it is less likely to break than one made of ceramic or glass.

While there is far far too much plastic on the planet and in our lives, we need to broaden our thinking around what is in fact the best action for the environment.

Recycled Plastic

Two-Winged Fruit supports Ant Packaging because they are Australia's first carbon neutral plastics factory and they make 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles. Ant Packaging are also developing technology for plastic that is not made from petroleum, and biodegradable plastic.

Australian companies are making all kinds of outdoor decking materials and furniture using recycled plastic. Modwood's decking is made out of 90% recycled material including reclaimed pine and recycled plastic milk bottles. Outdoor furniture made using recycled plastic is very durable - often outliving its timber counterpart. 

Some things we simply don't need

Let's talk about drinking straws. Do we need them at all? I acknowledge that some people do for medical reasons because they cannot physically drink from a cup. But let's face it, most people don't use straws for medical reasons. So, do we need to buy them at all, whether they are made from plastic, paper, stainless steel or bamboo? Every manufactured item has an energy cost associated with it.

We need to reduce our use (especially single use) and disposal of ANY material

Every new material costs energy to make. In fact, you may be surprised to know that biodegradable materials generally use more energy and resources to make compared with plastic.
Let's focus instead on:

• buying only what we need
• buying quality, versatile items that can be used often for a long time
• buying recycled products
• repairing, swapping, re-gifting and composting.

Support innovation

Science has a lot to offer in our journey to a better planet. Let's keep our minds open and support innovators who might just be able to come up with more eco friendly solutions in the form of sustainable plastics and other approaches to a greener planet.



Images: Two-Winged Fruit | Modwwod | Unsplash - Roman Kraft

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