Plastic - An Example of Eco-Efficiency

The plastic industry’s record in lightweighting is excellent. As new technologies and new designs are developed, less and less material is needed for the same effect and purpose.

For example:

• In 1970 the average plastics yoghurt pot weighed 11.8g, but in 1990 only 5g was needed to package the same amount.
• Similarly, a plastic detergent bottle weighed 300g, and by 1985 this had been reduced to just 100g.

Because of the lightweight of plastics transport costs and emissions are reduced. For example, for yoghurt packed in glass pots 36% of the weight is packaging, for plastic packaging only 3.5%. This means that 3 trucks are needed to transport yoghurt packed in glass and only 2 for the case of plastic pots.

Overall 10m litres extra petrol or diesel would be needed and 22m kg of CO² extra would be emitted if all plastic packaging was to be replaced by alternatives.

Plastics present an excellent example of resource efficiency.