Black plastic kitchenware and food trays can contain flame retardants from recycled electronics
A 2024 study found banned flame retardants from old electronics in black plastic utensils, food trays and toys. Its health risk estimate was later…
Manufacturers
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Plastic pollution lawsuits could cost companies more than US$20 billion in the US alone
The Minderoo Foundation’s analysis estimates expected liabilities from plastic-related litigation in the United States from 2022 to 2030 at more than US$20 billion, with…
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Plastic carries a hidden US$75 billion yearly cost for consumer-goods companies
A UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Trucost study put the natural-capital cost of plastic used by the consumer-goods sector at US$75 billion a year,…
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Moving 20% of plastic packaging to reuse is a US$10 billion business opportunity
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that converting a fifth of plastic packaging to reuse models is worth at least US$10 billion to businesses.
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Reusable transport packaging is cheaper than single-use in most studies
A 2024 review of life-cycle cost studies by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute found reusable packaging cheaper than single-use in most cases, including a…
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Cutting plastic use is the cheapest route to less pollution; swapping materials is the most expensive
Breaking the Plastic Wave, the most detailed global model of plastic pollution, found that reducing plastic is the most attractive option economically, often a…
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Returnable bottles cost 6–10% less than single-use once reuse runs at scale
Ellen MacArthur Foundation modelling with Systemiq and Eunomia found returnable drink and personal-care bottles cheaper per use than single-use in a shared, national system,…
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Bagasse (sugarcane fibre) tableware
Fibre left after sugarcane crushing, moulded into plates, bowls and clamshells; a compostable replacement for polystyrene foam (EPS) and PP plastic takeaway ware if…
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Bamboo (solid and uncoated pulp)
Fast-growing grass used solid for cutlery, straws and toothbrush handles or as pulp for cushioning; avoid rigid bamboo-melamine composites, which are plastic.
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Chitosan (shrimp and crab shell) films
Antimicrobial film-forming polymer derived from crustacean shells; promising for active food films but still at lab and early-pilot stage with no scaled producer.