Environmental benefits of branded mailing bags

Many are quick to assume plastic doesn’t positively contribute to net zero strategies. In fact, new research from The University of Sheffield shows this is not the case and that plastic can be key in helping the UK to move towards net zero targets.

The research evidenced why replacing plastics with alternative materials is worse for greenhouse gas emissions, in most cases. Here are the key takeaways from the research study:

Seeing the full picture

The research analysed the emissions produced by each material such as paper, glass or metal over its life and found that in almost all cases, simply swapping plastics for other materials can increase emissions by between 10% and 90%.

This research evidenced that switching to an alternative material without full consideration for the like-for-like performance over a product’s life can mean that it becomes the least suitable and least sustainable option.

The power of life cycle assessments

The study by Dr Fanran Meng from Sheffield’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, calls out the need for Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to be used, as they measure the environmental impact of a product from the beginning to the very end of its life – as they did in the study. This will enable manufacturers and brand owners to select the best material and innovate with more holistic eco design in mind.

The study compared LCA’s from various materials in different applications across multiple sectors, including packaging, construction, automotive, textiles and consumer durables, which represent around 90% of plastic users across the globe. Results found that when compared with other materials, applications using plastic produced fewer greenhouse gas emissions in 15 out of the 16 applications examined.

The results were based on analysing production, retail transport, and end-of-life disposition of varying materials. The study also measured the indirect impacts of using plastic for things like packaging, housing insulation and car parts, and in turn found reduced food wastage, better insulated houses and lighter, more fuel-efficient cars.

Growing need for behaviour change

The research also highlighted a growing need for behaviours to change. The notion that plastic is damaging without taking a holistic view could stop progress towards a circular economy and achieving net zero targets. It could also mean businesses aren’t accessing genuinely sustainable solutions.

To optimise the benefits of plastic and reduce its impact on the environment, it’s important that all industries prioritise waste segregation and boosting recycling rates to close the loop on plastic use and move closer to a circular economy. A great example of this is, Duo client, Freemans’ Grattan Holdings who through education and process changes to segregate plastic waste streams recycled 74 tonnes of post-consumer polythene branded mailing bags and clear repacking bags. This is equivalent to a carbon saving of 12 flights around the world. Find out more about the closed loop recycling process they adopted here.

Changes to adopt for net zero

On-pack messaging, especially for packaging items such as branded mailing bags, can help contribute to the correct disposal at the end of life. Including clear, concise messaging or a QR code to link to digital helps educate about how to recycle and your brands environmental strategy. Learn how ACAI Outdoors designed their branded mailing bag with the full lifecycle in mind and helped increase re-use and recycle rates here.

As a packaging manufacturer and consultant, we’re keen advocates of helping our clients select the best packaging solutions that address the full packaging lifecycle for their business processes. If you’re looking to purchase branded mailing bags, and need help with selecting the best environmental choices for your business, contact our team enquiries@duo-uk.co.uk or +44 0161 203 5767