PET Plastics Are Actually More Climate-Friendly Than Aluminum and Glass

Are Plastics Really the Major Culprits of Carbon Emissions? Research Suggests Otherwise

Environmental organizations such as Beyond Plastics and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have identified plastics as significant contributors to climate change. For example, research from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory revealed that in 2019, global primary plastic production generated approximately 2.24 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, accounting for 5.3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This finding has prompted many to advocate for replacing plastics with alternative materials as a means to address climate change.

However, while plastics produced from fossil fuels do contribute significantly to carbon dioxide emissions, a new study suggests that the overall life cycle emissions of plastics are actually lower than those of glass and aluminum.

PET Plastics Are Actually More Environmentally Friendly Than Aluminum and Glass

A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology challenges the assumption that plastics are more harmful to the environment, revealing that in many cases, plastics have a lower carbon footprint compared to alternative materials. European researchers examined the emissions across the entire life cycle of plastic products—including production, transportation, use, and disposal—and found that, in 15 out of 16 applications, plastics emitted between 10% and 90% fewer greenhouse gases compared to alternative materials.

For instance, the study compared plastic grocery bags with paper bags and found that plastic bags produced 80% fewer greenhouse gases. Paper bags not only require three times the energy to produce but also result in higher transportation emissions due to their greater weight. Additionally, paper bags release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as they decompose in landfills.

Similarly, in the case of beverage containers, plastic bottles were found to be more environmentally friendly than aluminum cans and glass bottles. Despite the recyclability of aluminum, the study revealed that aluminum cans emit twice as many greenhouse gases over their entire life cycle compared to plastic bottles, while glass bottles emit three times more.

In the food packaging sector, the study compared foam trays wrapped in thin plastic film with butcher paper used for packaging meats such as pork and beef. It found that butcher paper emitted 35% more greenhouse gases considering production and food spoilage. In the home sector, carpets made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and nylon emitted 80% fewer greenhouse gases compared to wool carpets.

The researchers concluded that shifting to alternative materials could inadvertently increase greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the need for careful consideration of such changes. 

Previously, research by the Chinese Academy of Sciences using cradle-to-cradle Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) showed that producing one kilogram of PET emits approximately 4.6 metric tons of CO2 equivalents. While plastic production, including PET, does contribute significantly to CO2 emissions, this represents a relatively small fraction compared to major sources like fossil fuel combustion, industrial activities, transportation, and agriculture. According to data from the EPA and other sources, global plastic production emits about 500 million metric tons of CO2 annually, accounting for roughly 1.3% of the total global emissions in 2019 (approximately 37 billion metric tons of CO2). 

Advancements in PET Technology: Enzymatic Recycling and Bio-Based PET

Fortunately, advancements in plastic technology are providing effective solutions for further reducing emissions. PET plastic, widely used in the packaging and container industries, is increasingly benefiting from these technological breakthroughs. Recent innovations have significantly enhanced the environmental sustainability of PET production and recycling processes. 

As a frontrunner in the PET industry, Wankai New Materials Co., Ltd. is dedicated to advancing PET technology through significant investments in cutting-edge enzymatic recycling techniques and bio-based PET research.

Advanced Enzymatic Recycling Technologies are at the forefront of these developments. These methods use specialized enzymes to break down PET waste into its fundamental components, which are then reassembled into high-quality PET materials. Research shows that these techniques can improve recycling efficiency by over 50% compared to traditional methods, while also reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, enzymatic recycling can cut energy use by up to 30% and lower associated greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.

Research into Bio-Based PET Plastics has also made significant strides. Bio-based PET, derived from renewable resources such as plant materials, offers enhanced recyclability compared to traditional fossil-fuel-based PET. Studies indicate that bio-based PET can reduce carbon emissions by 50% to 70% during production. Compared to conventional PET, these bio-based materials substantially lower the carbon footprint over their lifecycle and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thereby alleviating environmental impact.

These advancements further underscore PET plastic's crucial role in promoting sustainable development. By leveraging cutting-edge recycling technologies and exploring bio-based alternatives, the industry is moving towards a more environmentally responsible future.

Conclusion

As discussions on PET plastics and their alternatives continue, it is essential to consider the comprehensive environmental impact of our material choices and support innovations that genuinely reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the planet.