As climate change worsens and global warming accelerates, research institutions and scientists worldwide are anxiously seeking quick solutions to eliminate greenhouse gases and cool the planet. In this battle against climate change, consumers may not have heard of "clean energy" or "carbon capture technology," but they understand the benefits of actions like tree planting, energy efficiency improvements, and green consumption in reducing carbon emissions. According to a 2019 survey by Tetra Pak of over 7,500 respondents in 15 global markets, more than 90% of consumers habitually look for eco-labels on products when making purchases; and a staggering 43% indicated they are willing to pay a higher price for products that claim to be environmentally friendly. Globally, more and more countries are demonstrating their commitment to environmental protection through plastic reduction policies, and many consumers are joining the ranks of those reducing plastic use, not only to effectively save energy and reduce carbon emissions, but also to reduce environmental pollution and ecological damage caused by plastic products. Convenience and environmental protection can indeed coexist, but reducing plastic use is not something that can be achieved overnight. The invention of plastic has brought immense convenience to human life. Everyday objects like beverage bottles, plastic bags, food containers, and melamine tableware are all familiar petrochemical plastics. According to the 2016 report "The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics," jointly released by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the World Economic Forum, and McKinsey & Company, global plastic production has increased more than 20-fold over the past 50 years and is expected to double over the next 20 years. This means that the carbon emissions from manufacturing these plastics and the carbon footprint of the plastic products themselves are significantly increasing, potentially posing even more severe challenges to global warming and climate change. Since we can no longer return to a time without plastic, how can we balance convenience with environmental protection? The report "The New Plastic Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics" points out solutions for introducing circular economy principles into the global plastic packaging process. The three principles proposed are: (1) Replace and reduce dependence on limited resources with renewable raw materials, (2) Extend the life cycle of plastic products and materials as much as possible through recycling, regeneration and reuse, and (3) Effectively prevent plastic waste from entering the natural environment to reduce the negative impact on the overall environment. Biodegradable PLA has become a popular alternative material, but it cannot be recycled. Recently, many countries have issued bans on the use of disposable plastic products and regarded the development of alternative solutions as a key focus of industrial development. This is in accordance with the above principles. Among them, polylactic acid (plastic number 7), abbreviated as PLA, is a biodegradable and compostable plastic that has become a popular alternative to petrochemical plastics. PLA is a polymer made from lactic acid obtained from starch in substances such as corn. Because the raw materials are derived from renewable plants, the energy consumption and carbon footprint of the process are lower than those of traditional petrochemical plastics. However, besides concerns about disrupting the food chain due to its agricultural raw material source, and its heat resistance limiting its product applications, PLA plastic, advertised as biodegradable and compostable, has specific requirements for post-use disposal. Ideally, PLA plastic must be composted under specific temperature, humidity, and bacterial strains to decompose naturally. However, Taiwan currently lacks a suitable landfill system for PLA, forcing it to be disposed of incinerators. Furthermore, PLA plastic cannot be recycled to extend its lifespan. In Taiwan, where recycling is widespread, PLA products are difficult to distinguish due to their appearance, similar to other plastics. People often simply discard PLA into regular plastic recycling bins after use. However, if PLA is mixed with other plastics, the quality of the recycled plastic can be compromised, and the recycled plastic may even become unusable, creating significant challenges for recycling companies. To mitigate the negative impact of petrochemical plastics on the global environment and better respond to the circular model of the new plastics economy, a new generation of recyclable bioplastics (Bio-based PE) has emerged. The all-plant Tetra Pak carton: It can be classified as a "container," and the entire packaging is recyclable! In 2011, Tetra Pak became the world's first company to use bio-based plastic (Bio-based PE) in liquid food packaging. Through a partnership with Brazilian materials supplier Braskem, they used bio-based high-density polyethylene (HDPE) polymerized from fermented sugarcane juice as the raw material to launch a green plastic lid. In 2013, they added bio-based low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to the production of Tetra Pak cartons, revolutionizing green plastic products. Best of all, this bio-based plastic, not only derived from renewable sugarcane, can also be recycled with traditional plastics into plastic pellets for reuse by the industry, effectively extending its life cycle. FSC™ Forest Stewardship Certified cardboard ensures that packaging paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Bonsucro-certified sugarcane bioplastic ensures the sustainability of the raw material without disrupting the food chain. Sugar-based bioplastic also has a longer shelf life and wider applications. The resulting beverage cartons not only reduce the carbon footprint by up to 35% compared to similar cartons made from petrochemical plastics, but can also be recycled through existing paper container recycling channels. Tetra Rex's all-plant cartons truly embody the spirit of sustainable packaging materials. In 2014, Tetra Pak launched the world's first 100% recyclable, bio-based Tetra Rex beverage carton, combining FSC™ certified paperboard and bioplastic made from sugarcane. This sustainable, all-plant-based material brought a new, eco-friendly option to the global beverage market. Finnish dairy giant Valio pioneered the technology in 2015, quickly earning numerous international awards and becoming the eco-friendly packaging of choice for major European dairy brands, including Sweden's Arla, Norway's TINE, and Germany's Lidl. These companies have incorporated the all-plant carton into their portfolios, demonstrating their commitment to implementing the sustainability agenda and promoting a circular economy. As the use of recyclable bioplastic in Tetra Pak cartons expands, innovative American water brand JUST Water won the "Best Packaging Solution" award at the 2018 Global Bottled Water Congress for its bio-based Tetra Top aseptic carton. JUST Water's success in launching in the US and rapidly expanding to the UK, Australia, and Japan in just a few years stems from its commitment to corporate social responsibility, thoroughly implementing sustainable practices in its water sourcing and packaging choices, allowing consumers who drink bottled water to simultaneously take responsibility for protecting the environment. In early October 2019, Taiwan's I-Mei Foods and Australia's Brownes Dairy launched their Bio-based Tetra Pak Royal milk products. These products prioritized a lower environmental footprint throughout their entire lifecycle, from raw material sourcing, processing and manufacturing, logistics and transportation, to post-consumer recycling. The use of fully renewable and recyclable carton packaging fully demonstrates both companies' commitment to low carbon and sustainability, and their circular economy vision. Furthermore, the opaque carton packaging provides enhanced protection for the precious dairy product. The Bio-based Tetra Pak Royal uses Tetra Pak Duplex, a light-blocking cardboard material that effectively blocks the negative impact of light on the dairy's nutritional content, preserving the taste and flavor of fresh milk. For consumers, green consumption is no longer just a slogan or a concept, and reducing plastic is no longer an environmental advocacy that is easier said than done. Instead, it is an everyday practice that is readily available on the shelves. "Small actions can bring about big changes to the environment"—this is absolutely true! Source: Food Power (2019/10/18)
