Packaging update

PET bottles greener than glass or aluminium

PET bottles are a greener alternative to glass or aluminium cans, according to a new study into the environmental impact of single use packaging. The report by consultants Allied Development Corporation reached its conclusion after calculating the green credentials of each packing type by focussing on weight of materials, total energy consumption and total greenhouse gas release.

The research, sponsored by Husky Injection Molding Systems, found PET production resulted in less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and used less energy than glass or aluminium cans. The report said that PET had the lowest GHG emissions at 314.9lbs/1000 units. In contrast, aluminium cans produced the highest GHG release of 570.9lbs/1000 units – some 81 per cent more than PET. Glass production, although given a greener rating than aluminium, resulted in 500.4lbs/1000 units.

PET bottles also registered the lowest energy consumption at 3,225MJ/1000 units. Glass had the highest energy consumption at 4,227MJ/1000 units – nearly a third more than PET. Aluminium cans used 21 per cent more energy than PET at 3,917MJ/1000 units.

The study defined ‘purchased materials’ as any used for the production of the primary package – including raw materials/packaging and pallet packing. Processing was taken to mean anything related to manufacture and filling of the primary package and its components. The authors defined ‘transportation’ as anything related to the movement of the materials from one place to another.

All package types were considered to be best in class; the three types examined were: 23.9g PET bottle/355mL (2.3g HDPE closure); 200g glass bottle/355mL (2.1g metal closure) and 11.3g aluminium can/355mL (2.8g aluminium can end).

The study made a number of assumptions to reach its conclusions. The first was that packing production and filling operations were found in the same facilities, thus minimising the impact of transport. A second assumption was that the PCR content rates for packing and closure manufacture were aluminium 46 per cent; glass bottle 39 per cent; PET bottle zero per cent. In addition, a standard shipping distance of 800km to retail was assumed for all packing types. Only one way glass – instead of refillable glass - was considered.

Source: FoodProductionDaily.com
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Packaging/PET-bottles-greener-than-glass-or-aluminium-Study

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