03 July 2024 Why We Don’t Recommend Pollastic Products: The Challenges of Using OBP in Packaging
The Truth About Pollastic Products
At ABL , we are committed to sustainability and exploring eco-friendly solutions. However, when it comes to recommending products made from pollastic—plastic waste recycled from the ocean—there are several factors that we need to consider carefully.The Reality of Ocean-Bound Plastic (OBP)
Products made from 100% recycled OBP (Ocean-Bound Plastic) is an attempt to tackle the plastic pollution problem. OBP is abandoned plastic waste located within 50km of the coast, typically in areas with inefficient waste management infrastructure. To transform this waste into usable resin, it needs to be collected from the ocean, washed, and reprocessed.Challenges with Recycled OBP
The reality of using recycled OBP in packaging presents several challenges:1. Quality Concerns:
- Appearance: The film produced from recycled OBP often looks very yellowish and contains numerous small dots (gel) on its surface.
- Performance: The performance of the film is compromised, making it less durable and more prone to breakage.
- Odor: Products made from OBP tend to have an unpleasant smell due to the unknown and varied history of the collected plastic.
2. Production and Cost Issues:
- Cost: The price of producing packaging from recycled OBP is three times higher than that of virgin materials. This is due to the extensive processing required to clean and repurpose the plastic waste.
- Inconsistency: Experiments with recycled OBP over the years have shown that the quality is inconsistent and often subpar.
3. Performance Limitations:
- Recycled Content: Studies indicate that for pallet wrap, manufacturers can only incorporate a maximum of 30% recycled material to ensure acceptable performance. Exceeding this percentage results in a high occurrence of small dots on the film, which leads to easy breakage.
Our Current Sustainable Solutions
Despite these challenges, we are continuously striving to improve our eco-friendly offerings:
- PIR (Post-Industrial Recycled) Hand Pallet Wrap: Currently, our green hand pallet wrap contains 30% PIR. This material is clean and ensures that the surface and performance of the film are almost identical to those made from virgin materials.
- PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) Pallet Wrap: We are in the process of developing a pallet wrap with 30% PCR content, starting with our Maxstretch hand film. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic waste.
While the concept of using recycled OBP is appealing from an environmental standpoint, the practical challenges and costs involved make it less viable for now. We continue to research and develop better solutions, aiming to balance sustainability with performance and cost-effectiveness.
Thank you for supporting our journey towards a greener future. Stay tuned for more updates on our sustainable packaging solutions!
For more information on our products and sustainability initiatives, please contact us at (07) 5618 5100 or via email to sales@abldistribution.com.au
Thank you for supporting our journey towards a greener future. Stay tuned for more updates on our sustainable packaging solutions!
For more information on our products and sustainability initiatives, please contact us at (07) 5618 5100 or via email to sales@abldistribution.com.au
