New research shows how popular plastic packaging compares to alternative materials

Plastic products help

Plastic - it makes modern life possible. Plastic products help defend against disease, preserve food, and are used in medical equipment that saves lives. Plastic is not just effective, it's also more affordable. Compared to substitutes, we estimate that plastic costs up to 45% less.¹

But how does this necessary material stack up against alternative materials when it comes to the environmental impacts?

To better understand this, we commissioned two peer-reviewed studies known as Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) that examine the potential environmental impacts of the most common form of plastic packaging, polyethylene (PE), and other commonly used packaging materials, like metal, glass, and paper. These LCAs studied everyday items like produce bags, fertilizer bags, and personal care bottles.

LCAs are useful tools that can shed light on environmental impacts across the life cycle of materials or products, from the time materials are made and transported all the way to when they are disposed.

This kind of information is helpful for regulators, policymakers, and companies like ours to better understand the environmental impacts of various materials and inform their choices on what materials to use.