ms. sanaa al ghimlas - k-pak's opinion that plastic is not evil and the advantages of plastic...

Sana’a Al –Ghimlas

Kuwait Packing Materials Mfg Co. K.S.C. (C) Assistant Managing Director

Plas%c is NOT the enemy

Plas%cs Vs. Paper Products

A minimum of 20% less energy is needed to produce an EPS foam cup than a sleeved paper cup. *

In order to make paper products with the same amount of durability and insulation as plastics, they are coated with wax and layered with aluminum or plastic.

* Based on informa%on published by WinCup Foam Environmental Facts Found on Packaging 25-‐1-‐2010

These products are impossible to recycle.


Plas%cs Vs. Paper Products

A minimum of 19% fewer Greenhouse Gases are emitted during production of an EPS foam cup *

The pulp and paper-making process discharges more than10 times the amount of concentrated oxygen-consuming pollutants than the EPS foam making process*

* Based on informa%on published by WinCup Foam Environmental Facts Found on Packaging 25-‐1-‐2010


Plas%cs Vs. Glass

* Based on informa%on published by NAPCOR The Environmental Impact of So; Drink Delivery Systems 1995

Glass bottles are 32% less energy efficient than aluminum and PET to produce and distribute. *

Glass bottles have the highest weight and large volume, making them the most expensive and least energy efficient in transport.


Plas%cs Vs. Glass


Production of glass bottles results in the highest levels of atmospheric emissions compared with aluminum and PET *

A 16 oz glass bottle results in 68% greater solid waste than a PET bottle with the same volume*


Plas%cs Vs. Aluminum


Aluminum can production results in the highest levels of waterborne wastes compared with glass and PET *

Aluminum cans create more solid waste that PET bottles and have a greater environmental impact.


Plas%cs Vs. Aluminum


Aluminum cans result in higher levels of air emissions than PET *

A 12 oz aluminum can results in 18% greater solid waste than a 16 oz PET bottle*


PET Vs. Degradable Plas9cs

There are 2 kinds of degradable plastics:

*Based on informa%on published by the APR Degradable Plas@cs 9-‐2009

1.  Bio-Based plastics like PLA. These products are made from plant materials like corn . They are non-recyclable.

Tests have shown that these plastics will not degrade in a typical land"ll, most require conditions of high-heat commercial composting facilities.*


PET Vs. Degradable Plas9cs

Plastics with degradable additives are contaminants to the recycling system *

If introduced into the recycling system degradable additives result in reduced quality plastics *

2.  Plastics made with materials of PET standards with degradable additives.

*Based on informa%on published by the APR Degradable Plas@cs 9-‐2009

There are 2 kinds of degradable plastics:

P.E.T. Polyethylene Terephthalate

*Based on informa%on published by the NAPCOR PET Features, Benefits & Informa@on Resources & PET Fact Sheet

PET is: -‐Transparent -‐ShaAerproof -‐Reseal-‐able -‐Lightweight -‐Inexpensive


PET is safe because it has inherent barrier proper9es that effec%vely protect and preserve stored products.

P.E.T. Polyethylene Terephthalate



-‐ PET has the least environmental impact compared with glass and aluminum in air emissions and waterborne wastes.

-‐ PET is lightweight so it is easier to transport resul%ng in fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

-‐ PET has superior product to packaging ra9o resul%ng in less solid waste.

Which are Packaging Materials are Recyclable?





Let’s Compare


So, which is the MOST environmentally efficient?


Why Recycle?

Reduce the need for virgin petrochemical feedstock.

PET packaging can be made from up to 100% recycled PET.

PET can be recycled mul9ple 9mes.


1.   Conserve Raw Materials.

Why Recycle?

Conver%ng recycled PET to a virgin equivalent requires less energy.

Life Cycle Inventory Study (2010) showed that for every pound of recycled PET flake used, energy use is reduced by 84%; greenhouse gas emission by 71%.


2. Conserve Environment & Energy.

Why Recycle?

3. Conserve Space.


Each ton of PET recycled conserves around 5.6 cubic meters of landfill space.

Each year 10,000 tons of PET is thrown away in Kuwait.

By recycling it, we can save 55,000 cubic meters of space in landfills.


PET Vs. PLA

Decide for Yourself *Video courtesy of Global PET inc.

Recycling is an Endless Business