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.
Economy
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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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estimated yearly social cost of plastic to the United States
The most complete tally so far of the documented costs of plastic to US society, across its whole life cycle from fossil fuel extraction…
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Starbucks’ “widely recyclable” cups: none tracked to a recycling facility
A campaign group hid Bluetooth trackers in Starbucks cold cups dropped into in-store recycling bins. Of the 36 trackers that reported back, none reached…
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Fishers bear deep costs of plastic pollution in Vietnam, but could help turn the tide
Plastic bags and bottles, aquaculture feed bags, nylon netting and ropes don’t sound like the makings of a healthy fishing haul. However, nets replete…
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Hemp waste cellulose unlocks tougher biodegradable plastics
Korean researchers have developed a method to strengthen biodegradable plastics using hemp hurd, an agricultural byproduct. The approach is expected to be applicable to…
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Automotive Suppliers Race to Meet EU Recycled Plastics Mandate
New EU regulations mandate recycled content in automotive plastics, prompting suppliers to develop post-consumer recycled polypropylene compounds for interior, exterior, and powertrain applications. They…
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lifetime cost to society of the plastic made in 2019
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Dalberg put the lifetime cost of one year’s plastic at US$3.7 trillion, more than India’s gross domestic…