Sustainable materials management (SMM) is a systemic approach to using and reusing materials more productively over a product's entire life cycle. Most multinational companies have taken steps to protect the environment and are taking comprehensive action to reduce environmental impact by introducing innovative changes to conserve energy, reduce carbon footprint, minimize waste and recycle post consumer waste. Read more to know about a few cases of industry sustainability initiatives and debris solutions like usage of marine waste in shoes and shampoo bottles, reuse of e-plastics, recycled materials in automotive interior and exterior parts, recycling of beverage bottles, etc.Industry Sustainability initiatives - plastics recycling and recovery, marine debris solutions
Plastic microbeads are currently used as thickeners or stabilisers in products as lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye-liner, nail polish, creams, shampoo, foam bath and even toothpastes. These pollute the environment because once they are rinsed off after use, they enter the water bodies; and plankton and sea creatures swallow them and introduce them into the food chain. The level of pollution is so serious that several governments have decided to bring in a law banning the use of oil-based polymers in body care products. In response, microbeads from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers are being developed for a variety of end-use applications ranging from lipsticks to moisturizers to pressed powders. Some of these microbeads can biodegrade upto 80% within 14 to 18 days in water and in soil. Read more inNatural microspheres from PHA biopolymers for personal care and cosmetic products
Due to the favorable properties, plastic bottles have now become the norm in the packaging of a wide variety of substances. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are the most commonly used plastics for making bottles. However, most plastics are not biodegradable, making disposal and recycling a very big problem. Rising consumer awareness, legislations and initiatives by beverage manufacturers are leading to recycling initiatives. Plastic bottle recycling is a complicated and expensive process, which could restrain this recycling market’s growth in some regions. Read more inRising use in textiles and clothing to drive plastic bottle recycling market globally
Amid growing legislation, several major packaging companies are shifting to biodegradable packaging in a bid to achieve greater satisfaction of ecologically aware consumers, and differentiate their products from that of the competitors. This segment is expected to witness growth faster than that of plastics packaging market, and capture the existing market share of conventional plastic packaging. Lack of government support especially in the developed countries is expected to curb growth of the market along with a huge price premium. To know more about the key drivers and restraints for the market, region specific assessments, factors changing the market scenarios, rising prospective opportunities, factors affecting growth, etc, readLargest share of starch based and cellulose derived solutions in global bio-degradable plastic packaging
A growing beverage packaging industry, government support and legislation for adopting bio-based materials, and rising consumer ecological awareness are expected to contribute to the growth of the global bio-plastic market. Commercial applications include packaging, textiles, consumer goods, agriculture & horticulture, automotive and many more. Bioplastics are conquering entire packaging sector right from a niche product to premium packaging for branded goods. Automotive is anticipated to exhibit the second highest CAGR. Asia Pacific represents the most lucrative market, followed by North America. To know more, readGlobal bio plastics market to be driven by demand from packaging in North America
