Single-use packaging costs Scottish public US$751m per year, study finds

11 Jul 2019 --- Scottish consumers are estimated to be spending £600 million (US$751 million) on 300,000 metric tons of single-use packaging each year, according to a new report by Zero Waste Scotland. This cost is hidden in the overall price of groceries, and people then pay an extra £40 million (US$50 million) for the local authorities to dispose of the packaging once used. Considering the country has a population of just 5.44 million, this is a considerable cost to each individual. The organization notes that it seeks to inform the public on how to use packaging sensibly, such as switching to reusable options, as opposed to entirely demonize plastic packaging.

“All single-use packaging systems affect the environment as they require the continuous consumption of raw materials and production of waste. Not all paper packaging comes from recycled materials, therefore the use of virgin material may result in deforestation reducing the global carbon sink. This is why we strongly recommend that consumers look to use reusable packaging wherever possible,” Michael Lenaghan, Environmental Policy Advisor at Zero Waste Scotland, tells PackagingInsights.

The packaging generates with 650,000 metric tons of carbon emissions being generated annually, equivalent to emissions from around four million car journeys from Aberdeen to London.

Many foods have unnecessary single-use packaging, Zero Waste Scotland says.Zero Waste Scotland is encouraging consumers to bring their own reusable containers to alternative ‘packaging-free’ stores, where they can buy items from pasta and rice to cleaning products. Packaging-free stores still make use of packaging, but it is reusable, refillable tubs or bags owned by the consumer. Although this can include plastic packaging, the important aspect is that it is reusable, explains Lenaghan. “Prevention and reuse are always more sustainable than recycling because recycling requires a new investment of embedded carbon to collect, sort, process and remanufacture new products, while reuse makes use of existing products.”

Lenaghan emphasizes that Zero Waste Scotland is not proposing a food system with no packaging, as some form of it is often needed to protect, transport and preserve what is held within. “Our aim is to help the public understand the cost of single-use packaging so they can make more informed purchasing decisions, and along with the environmental benefits, see the financial benefits of reusable packaging options.”

“Packaging is often seen as essential to protect products and, like other techniques from pasteurizing to freezing, it can also prolong the shelf-life of food. However, too many products come in packaging that is unnecessary and single-use, generating significant emissions and waste. We advocate avoiding any packaging which is not needed,” adds Iain Gulland, Zero Waste Scotland chief executive.

Additionally, if consumers knew what they paid for packaging, research suggests they would be more inclined to seek unpackaged products, and reusable packaging options, irrespective of their sustainability concerns, continues Lenaghan. A reduction in the purchasing of packaged goods would lead product manufacturers and retailers to find ways of reducing and eliminating single-use packaging, resulting in cost savings for the consumer, and environmental benefits for the planet.Consumers could bring their own reusable containers for bulk items like nuts. 

Switching away from single-use packaging does not need to be complicated for the consumer. “We would recommend reusing packaging already owned. At the end of its life, as much of the reusable packaging should be recycled as is possible. Glass and metal can usually be fully and infinitely recycled, while this may not be entirely the case with plastics,” explains Lenaghan.

The report comes amidst rising concern about the cost to consumers and the planet of unnecessary single-use packaging. 

Scotland recently publicized plans for its “ambitious” 20p Deposit-Return Scheme (DRS), which was hailed by Zero Waste Scotland as a “game-changer” for recycling and the development of a circular economy in Scotland. 

The new BBC documentary series, War on Plastic, highlighted in June that UK shoppers trying to avoid plastic waste by buying their fruit and vegetables loose were charged far more for produce without packaging than for the same goods in packaged form.

Another recent study found that UK workers are generating 10.7 billion items of packaging waste every year at lunch – the equivalent of 276 items per person.

By Katherine Durrell