Amcor has launched a new marketing campaign to spruik the benefits of plastic at a time where many packagers and consumers are looking for alternative materials.
The “Choose Plastic” initiative incorporates a new website; brochures; and other materials. According to Amcor, it is designed to clear up misconceptions surrounding plastic packaging; compare PET with other packaging types including glass, cans, and aseptic boxes; and help customers educate consumers, employees, and legislators on the benefits of plastic packaging.
Eric Roegner, president of Amcor Rigid Packaging, said plastic packaging offers a safe, recyclable, and responsible way to deliver product to consumers.
“PET is infinitely recyclable with existing technologies including chemical recycling, and its carbon footprint is less than glass and other packaging materials.
“But there is still room for improvement, which is why we are working together with our customers and industry partners to boost recycling rates, increase the proportion of recycled content in the plastics we use, and reduce the waste in landfills and nature. Our goal is to create an overall positive impact for all stakeholders,” he said.
Roegner points to statistics saying that PET produces up to 70 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than other packaging types, requires less fossil fuel to produce than aluminium cans, and has a lower transportation cost than glass.
Additionally, he says, 90 per cent of the PET that goes into recycling bins is recycled, while only 49 per cent of cans, 40 per cent of glass, and 16 per cent of Tetra aseptic boxes are recycled.
“PET has a positive story to tell, and together with industry partners, we want to make sure that story gets told,” he said, adding that Amcor has pledged to make all its packaging reusable or recyclable by 2025, and that 97 per cent of Amcor Rigid Packaging’s bottles and jars are designed to be recyclable.
The campaign comes amid increased pressure on packagers around the world to cut their plastic usage. Coca-Cola Amatil is slashing its use of virgin plastic in Australia, while jurisdictions such as Queensland are considering outright bans of single-use plastics; supermarkets overseas are also trialling plastic-free aisles or stores.
