In defense of plastics: Amcor ignites industry conversation with “Choose Plastic” initiative

20 Nov 2019 --- Amcor has launched a “Choose Plastic” marketing campaign to educate consumers, customers and other stakeholders on the benefits of PET packaging. The global packaging giant points to key environmental benefits, including the lightweight and infinitely recyclable nature of the material, while also spotlighting the shatterproof, transparent, reclosable and resealable qualities of PET bottles.

The multi-pronged initiative, which includes a new webpage, an informative brochure and other materials, is designed to:

• Tell the “PET story” with “truth, strength and conviction,” clearing up common misperceptions regarding plastic packaging.
• Demonstrate where PET stands versus other packaging types, including glass, cans and Tetra aseptic boxes.
• Help customers educate their employees, legislators and consumers on the benefits of plastic packaging.

“Plastic packaging gives our customers a safe, responsible and recyclable way to deliver products to their consumers,” says Eric Roegner, President of Amcor Rigid Packaging (ARP). “PET is infinitely recyclable and its carbon footprint is less than glass and other packaging materials.”

“But there is still room for improvement, which is why we are working together with our customers and industry partners to boost recycling rates, increase the proportion of recycled content in the plastics we use, and reduce the waste in landfills and nature. Our goal is to create an overall positive impact for all stakeholders,” Roegner adds.

Not only are PET bottles and jars lightweight, shatterproof, transparent, reclosable and resealable, studies also show that they are infinitely recyclable, generate up to 70 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than other packaging types, require fewer fossil fuels to produce than aluminum cans and have fewer transportation costs than glass, Amcor states.

Additionally, 90 percent of the PET that goes into recycling bins gets recycled, according to the US NAPCOR Recycling Report 2017, while only 49 percent of cans, 40 percent of glass and 16 percent of Tetra aseptic boxes get recycled.

A 2018 US and Canadian study into the environmental effects of plastics also concluded that plastics are more sustainable than the material alternatives in terms of energy use, water consumption, solid waste, greenhouse gas emissions, ozone depletion, eutrophication and acidification. The study conducted by the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) found that replacing plastics with alternative materials such as paper and paperboard, glass, steel, aluminum, textiles, rubber and cork would result in significant net negative environmental impacts.In August, Amcor created the first PET bottles for pasteurized beer in Brazil for New Age’s Salzburg craft beer brand.

Roegner also noted that 97 percent of Amcor Rigid Packaging's bottles and jars are designed to be recyclable. The company has pledged to develop all of its packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Towards this aim, Amcor has taken a big sustainability stride with the launch of the AmLite Ultra Recyclable high-barrier laminate pack. It the first product made from the company’s landmark recyclable polyolefin film, which Amcor announced last year. The new high-barrier laminate can package a range of food, home, personal care and pharmaceutical products. It can be recycled in existing polyolefin recycling streams.

In August, Amcor created the first PET bottles for pasteurized beer in Brazil for New Age’s Salzburg craft beer brand. The global supplier designed custom 600-milliliter containers for São Paulo–based beverage maker New Age Bebidas that combine a glass-like look and champagne-style base with the convenience of lightweight and shatter-resistant PET. The PET design also features a crown metal cap that replicates the standard glass bottle.

Amcor is working with associations such as The Plastics Industry Association, NAPCOR, and The Recycling Partnership to promote plastics, increase recycling rates and drive greater use of post-consumer materials. The company is also collaborating with environmental organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund and the Trash Free Seas Alliance to eliminate plastic waste.

“PET has a positive story to tell, and together with industry partners, we want to make sure that story gets told,” Roegner concludes.

In June, Amcor completed the US$6.8 billion acquisition of Bemis, signaling an “offensive” plastics expansion in the Americas and Asia.

Edited by Joshua Poole