As a sustainability professional focused on helping small and medium sized businesses become more sustainable, I’ve been deeply introspective about what today, Earth Day 2024, means to me. As I reflect on my professional and personal journey towards sustainability, a memory of my beloved late mother comes to the forefront of my mind.  

 

It’s a scene from the 1980s and she’s standing at the kitchen counter with a pair of scissors in her hand, and determinedly snipping each section of a plastic 6-pack ring used by beverage companies so consumers could conveniently pick up their products from the shelf, put it into their shopping carts, then transport back to their homes. I remember asking her why she was cutting this single piece of plastic into many smaller pieces before placing them into the garbage can (this was just before most Canadian municipalities introduced household recycling programs).  Her response was eye opening to me as I had never once considered the impact of these plastic tabs that are still used today, although most of them are now made from degradable plastic (which decreases the likelihood of entangling wildlife, but are ingested by marine life as micro-sized plastic particles which means when we eat fish and seafood, we’re eating plastic, too). That one simple act by my mother so many years ago opened my eyes to the complex relationship humans have with plastic:  trying to balance its convenient and practical applications with its negative impacts on the planet and its inhabitants.

 

This week isn’t just about Earth Day.  On April 23rd, the UN kicks off its fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Ottawa, Canada, to develop an international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution. Over six days, representatives from around the world will focus specifically on plastic pollution in the marine environment and ways to tackle the problem that won’t disproportionately impact the most vulnerable populations.  

 

While we await the outcome of these meetings in Ottawa, here is a quick look at the impacts of plastic, both positive and negative.  On the plus side:

Healthcare Innovation: Plastics are indispensable in modern healthcare, utilized widely in consumables such as syringes and tubing, as well as in life-saving devices like heart valves and artificial joints. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the “Global Injection Safety and Prevention of Infection through Injection” report from 2016 underlined the critical role of plastic disposable syringes in significantly reducing cross-contamination diseases. This innovation has led to a notable decrease in the spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis in developing countries. The versatility and hygienic qualities of plastics have spurred advancements in sterile packaging, which is vital for maintaining a safe, effective global supply of medical products.

Food Safety and Security: Plastic packaging is critical in extending the shelf life of perishable items such as meats, dairy products, and fresh produce, which is essential for reducing food waste. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its 2019 report “The State of Food and Agriculture” highlights that innovative plastic packaging solutions are directly linked to significant reductions in food spoilage, especially during transit from farms to markets. In areas with underdeveloped cold chain infrastructure, the durability and lightweight properties of plastics provide viable solutions for keeping produce fresh, which increases food security and reduces waste.

Technology and Mobility: Plastics play a vital role in advancing technology and improving mobility, contributing to more sustainable environmental practices. The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its “Energy Technology Perspectives 2020” report, notes that modern vehicles are increasingly incorporating plastic components instead of traditional heavier materials like metal. This shift significantly reduces vehicle weight, enhancing fuel efficiency and lowering carbon emissions. Additionally, in consumer electronics, the utilization of plastics is essential for creating lighter, more energy-efficient devices. 

 

Here are some of the more negative impacts of plastics as highlighted by World Wildlife Fund and Scale Climate Action:

 

Plastic Waste and Ocean Pollution: Each year, around eight million metric tons of plastic waste are dumped into the oceans. This is a major contributor to marine pollution and poses significant threats to marine life and ecosystems (World Wildlife Fund).

 

Recycling Rates: Despite the high production volumes, only 9% of plastics are recycled in the U.S., which is indicative of global trends where a significant portion of plastic ends up in landfills or is incinerated (World Wildlife Fund).

 

Plastic in Oceans: Predictions suggest that by 2050, the oceans could contain more plastic by weight than fish, underscoring the persistent and increasing problem of plastic pollution in marine environments (World Wildlife Fund).

 

Carbon Footprint: The lifecycle of single-use plastics, from production to disposal, is resource-intensive and contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. This includes emissions from the extraction and refining of fossil fuels, transportation, and incineration processes (Scale Climate Action).

 

Economic Impact: The reliance on plastics, particularly single-use plastics, incurs substantial economic costs related to cleanup efforts, healthcare costs due to pollution, and loss of revenue in sectors like tourism due to the degradation of natural sites (Scale Climate Action).

 

Where do we go from here?

The sustainability world will be watching closely what happens in Ottawa this week, and like so many complex problems, there are no easy solutions.  What is clear is that changes are required.  We as a connected, global community need to acknowledge where plastics are truly essential, reduce our demand wherever possible, seek alternative materials, advocate for better ways of recycling, and embrace circularity in business processes.   

What is circularity and how can it help businesses decrease their use of plastics?

Circularity, often referred to as the “circular economy,” is a system that aims to redefine growth by focusing on positive society-wide benefits. One of the best sources to learn about the circular economy is the highly esteemed Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Their work on plastics focuses on eliminating all problematic and unnecessary plastic items, innovate to ensure the plastics we do need are reusable, recyclable or compostable and circulate to keep the plastics we use in the economy and out of the environment.  

For companies who rely on plastics, including small and medium sized businesses, considering the following  circularity principles is not only good for the environment, it’s also good for business:

1. Designing out waste and pollution: This involves creating products and packaging with materials that are easier to recycle, biodegradable, or reusable, thereby reducing the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced. This principle also encourages innovations that prevent plastic waste from being created in the first place.
2. Keeping products and materials in use: Circularity promotes reusing, sharing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, and recycling existing materials and products. In the case of plastics, this can mean developing infrastructure for recycling plastics more efficiently or creating systems where plastic items are reused instead of discarded.
3. Regenerating natural systems: Circular practices advocate for the use of bioplastics or other sustainable materials that can minimize harm to the environment and help restore ecosystems. This could involve the adoption of compostable plastics that break down naturally without harming the environment.

 

Steps small and medium sized businesses can take to assess and address their plastic usage 

Businesses of all sizes including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can take practical first steps in assessing and addressing their plastic usage. Here are just a few examples. 

• Seek Alternatives: Replace single-use plastics with sustainable alternatives wherever possible.
• Educate Employees: Implement training sessions to raise awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution.
• Embrace Recycling: Develop clear policies for recycling and managing plastic waste.
• Engage Suppliers: Work with suppliers to reduce plastic packaging and explore innovative packaging solutions.

 

For companies that want to go a step further, I recommend a lifecycle assessment (LCA). An LCA is a powerful way to evaluate the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. It considers various factors such as resource use, energy consumption, emissions, and waste generation at each stage of the lifecycle.

For SMEs aiming to reduce their dependence on plastics, an LCA can be a valuable tool in several ways:

1. Identifying Hotspots: An LCA can pinpoint the stages of the product lifecycle where plastic usage has the most significant environmental impact. This insight enables businesses to focus their efforts on areas where reduction efforts will yield the most significant results.
2. Alternative Material Assessment: Through an LCA, businesses can evaluate the environmental impact of alternative materials to plastics, such as biodegradable plastics, paper, or glass. This helps in selecting materials that have a lower overall environmental footprint.
3. Process Optimization: An LCA can uncover inefficiencies in processes related to plastic use, such as excessive packaging or inefficient manufacturing methods. By optimizing these processes, businesses can reduce plastic usage and associated environmental impacts.
4. Supply Chain Management: Assessing the lifecycle of products can highlight opportunities for reducing plastic use within the supply chain. This might involve sourcing raw materials from suppliers with sustainable practices or redesigning packaging to minimize plastic content.
5. Product Redesign: LCA results can inform product redesign efforts aimed at reducing plastic consumption. Businesses can explore alternatives such as redesigning packaging to use less plastic or designing products that require fewer plastic components.
6. Consumer Education and Marketing: Businesses can use the findings of an LCA to educate consumers about the environmental impact of plastic usage and promote their efforts to reduce plastic dependency. This can enhance brand reputation and attract the growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers.

 

While the journey to a better future concerning plastics may seem daunting, I take inspiration from my mother’s simple act of cutting up plastic so it wouldn’t entangle wildlife. By committing to taking action, no matter how big or small, we will get there together.