Main topic

Plastic pollution is clearly an issue with various facets. A key component of this problem is the lack of communication, especially between businesspeople and consumers. In other words, miscommunication takes place and refers to the labelling of plastic items (Geyer et al., 2017; Lazarevic et al., 2010). Plastic labelling sometimes leads the consumer to misunderstand the sustainable recycling of plastics that can be reused. This is because plastic labels can wrongly indicate that a product is recyclable. There is a significant need for more rigorous risk assessment of labels before commercial application in order to control human and environmental exposure to potentially toxic chemicals, increase recycling rates and contribute to more closed loop recycling (Galloway et al., 2018; Ferguson et al., 2019).

(Source: https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/2022/04/26/debunking-recycling-myths)

However, we have to take into consideration the additional labelling of new materials such as copolymers, bioplastic, and biodegradable plastic. Plastic labelling often does not reflect the complexity of the subject or sustainable use of plastic. To raise awareness of people we must adapt and standardize labelling approaches to become more efficient. A more effective plastic labelling system is recommended, considering three main components of distinction:

1. petroleum-based plastics
2. new and sustainable plastics (“bioplastics”)
3. chemical additives

Petroleum-based plastics refer to synthetic polymers obtained from natural gas or oil, that usually include stabilizers and/or plasticizers to enhance the efficiency and durability of these materials (Andrady and Neal, 2009; Thompson et al., 2009). These plastics constitute the majority of global domestic plastic waste, with approximately 87%.

Considering the second field of “bioplastics” the term is used for two separate groups of plastic material: bio-based plastics, which came from plant or animal derivation, and biodegradable plastics which include ‘oxo-biodegradable’[1] plastics and ‘compostable’ plastics.

The last component to highlight are chemical additives, which are inorganic or organic chemicals added into polymer formulations during production to improve their performance, functionality, and aging properties. They include chemicals that act as plasticizers, flame-retardants, light and heat stabilizers, antioxidants, lubricants, and pigments (Hahladakis et al., 2018 a, 2018 b).

[1] (Oxo-biodegradable plastics are a type of plastic that biodegrade faster in the presence of oxygen, transforming into the harmless, biodegradable matter within a few months to a few years.)