Findings from the IK study on paper composites: more waste, less recycling
A study by the Society for Packaging Market Research (GVM), commissioned by the IK (Industry Association for Plastic Packaging), has published key findings on the topic of “packaging made from paper composites.” The study examined the environmental impact of packaging made from a blend of plastic and paper. This type of packaging is often marketed as particularly eco-friendly due to its lower plastic content. This blended packaging is especially popular for high-priced food items and in the organic products sector, where sustainability is a key consideration.
The study concludes thatthese paper-composite packaging materials are not particularly sustainable. The study explains that this type of material mix actually harms the circular economy. The following three reasons particularly support this conclusion, which we outline below based on the study.
1. Composite paper materials generate more packaging waste
The use of paper composites is on the rise. The rationale is that using the existing proportion of paper and reducing the proportion of plastic will result in more sustainable packaging. However, the fact is that, on average, paper composites require about 40 percent more material to package the same product. According to the study, this is expected to result in approximately 25,000 metric tons more waste by 2025.
2. Paper composites make recycling more difficult
In addition to the recyclable components of composite packaging, the actual recycling rate lags far behind the theoretical recyclability of the fiber content.
As a result, the growing proportion of composite materials is causing increasing problems for waste paper recycling. Consumers do not always sort their waste as required. Consequently, waste paper and recyclable plastics are not adequately separated and fed into the recycling stream.
3. Paper composites cannot adequately replace recyclable plastic packaging
Paper composites are also intended to replace plastic packaging, which, as things stand today, is only partially recyclable. However, developments in the recyclable circular economy regarding the sustainability of plastic packaging are advancing rapidly, and recyclability in the plastic packaging market is continuously being improved and optimized.
New products with high recyclability are constantly being developed, including packaging films made from sustainable and renewable raw materials, such as the Bio-Film BF-RecyUse® Basic and BF-RecyUse® Premium from Schlichter GmbH, made from 100% sugarcane (bagasse), as well as the wide range of recyclable polyolefin films and BOPPfilms are just one example of this.
In this context, according to the study, the shift toward paper-composite materials competes with efforts to improve recyclability in the plastic packaging market. The development of sustainable plastic packaging that can be properly reintroduced into the recycling cycle is actually hindered by paper-composite packaging.
IK Executive Director and circular economy expert Dr. Isabell Schmidt takes a critical view of the trend toward paper-composite packaging and considers the replacement of plastic packaging with paper composites to be “greenwashing.” “If the specific properties of plastic are essential for a particular type of packaging, then paper fibers should be avoided entirely, and fully recyclable plastic packaging should be chosen.”
The interviews conducted by GVM as part of the study also concluded that many market participants doubt the value of paper-composite packaging and will continue to rely on plastic packaging solutions in the future.
The proven and continuously improving recyclability of plastic, along with its orderly integration into the recycling loop, are strong arguments in favor of plastic packaging. Clever marketing strategies that portray paper-composite packaging as more sustainable should therefore always be questioned.
Below is a link to the study by IK, the German Plastics Packaging Industry Association
Study on paper composites confirms: More waste and less recycling.
