PLASTICS AND HEALTH IMPACTS - Plastics and Environmental Sustainability - page 346

expressed on a simple gravimetric basis; the toxicity or the bioavailability of
chemical species in these emissions can vary widely.
The environmental profile of milk packaging systems was also developed in
2008 (Franklin Associates, 2008) where the HDPE milk jug was compared
to gable-top paperboard/LDPE carton. Quantifying the highly variable
environmental health impacts of each of these is complicated. However,
HDPE milk jug (128 oz) was found to have a better environmental profile
based on selected impact criteria, compared to paperboard cartons even
at a zero rate of recycling. However, for smaller-volume (64 oz) packages,
both had about the same embodied energy, but atmospheric emissions,
waterborne waste, and solid waste were still significantly lower for the
HDPE bottle compared to the paperboard carton. Including recycling in
the analysis will further change the profile even more in favor of HDPE.
In this study (and also in general), paperboard cartons were assumed
non-recyclable. However, in reality product is recyclable 3 into other
paperboard packaging.
8.1.2 Overpackaging
Using an amount of packaging materials in excess of what is needed to
maintain the full functionality of the package, is overpackaging. With some
produce, there is no need for a man-made package; tubers, corn (in husk),
apples, or oranges are protected well enough in their natural form. Others
such as berries or grapes do need additional packaging in punnets;
otherwise, the amount of waste during transportation and retail will be
unacceptable. Even in these cases, reducing packaging without
compromising the shelf life of contents is often possible (Licciardello et
al., 2014). In general, the environmental impact of packaging (including
its impact on prevention of food waste) shows a U-shaped curve when
plotted against the amount of packaging used in a product. The “optimum
packaging” is fully functional but uses the minimum amount of material
for the purpose. Sustainable growth favors economical use of materials,
especially non-renewables, with the lowest practical environmental
footprint for application including packaging of food, beverage, and
medication. Material substitution, packaging portions, reducing voids in
packaging and downgauging can make the package more efficient. But,
always with the important proviso: “as long as full functionality, especially
consumer safety, can be ensured.”