Study titled “Climate Impact of Plastics” on the climate impacts of plastics
In a study titled “Climate Impact of Plastics,” McKinsey has uncovered some very interesting findings regarding the impact of plastics on the climate. Here’s a brief summary of the 30-page report’s findings: In 13 out of 14 cases,theplasticsexamined resultin a lower overall contribution to greenhouse gas emissions compared to the alternatives.Both direct and indirect impacts were taken into account.
Packaging is often criticized in terms of sustainability, particularly with regard to its carbon footprint, recyclability (the ability to reuse recycled materials), and environmental pollution. In the study, the expert group focused on the carbon footprint of various types of plastics. Plastics are a recurring topic of debate, ranging from marine pollution to recyclability.
However, the positive aspects of using plastic—such as its contribution to improving efficiency, for example by reducing food spoilage and the resulting decrease in greenhouse gas emissions—are often overlooked.
The study examined various product sectors, analyzing the total greenhouse gas emissions from plastics compared to their alternatives, including product life cycles and the impacts of their use.
The five sectors with the highest plastic consumption were selected: packaging, construction, consumer goods, automotive, and textiles. These sectors account for approximately 90 percent of the global volume of plastic. In addition, common, representative applications were selected for which viable alternatives to plastics are currently available.
In 13 out of 14 cases, plastics result in a lower overall contribution to greenhouse gas emissions than the alternatives
The study found that, in applications where non-plastic alternatives are used on a large scale, the plastics examined result in a lower overall contribution to greenhouse gas emissions compared to the alternatives in 13 out of 14 cases.
According to the study, greenhouse gas reductions in this area ranged from 10 to 90 percent, taking into account both the product life cycle and the impacts of use. Furthermore, there are currently few alternatives to plastics for many applications, particularly in food packaging.
In fact, the study concluded that the short-term introduction of plastics can support decarbonization efforts. Particularly with regard to food spoilage and energy efficiency, the use of plastics results in a lower GHG footprint.
This includes indirect effects on the value chain, such as fuel savings from lighter cars, lower energy consumption in homes insulated with polyurethane, and less food spoilage when plastic packaging is used instead of butcher's paper.
In terms of direct impacts, plastics have the lowest greenhouse gas impact in 9 out of 14 applications
But even if we disregard the indirect impacts and consider only the direct life-cycle emissions (production, retail transportation, and end-of-life disposal),plastics have the lowest greenhouse gas impact in 9 out of 14 applications.
Depending on the application, this is often due to just two factors. First, plastic is less energy-intensive to manufacture than alternatives such as glass or aluminum. Second, plastic is often more weight-efficient—that is, lighter than alternative materials.
Would you like to learn more? Here is the link to the study:Climate Impact of Plastics (McKinsey)
