Literally and figuratively, a polymer scientist wrestles with the frustrations of plastic packaging.

I was a polymer scientist and an observer of plastic packaging long before I became NIST’s leader for the circular economy, or the notion that we should keep materials in use and reuse for as long as possible rather than discarding them. The main component of most plastics and many other contemporary materials is polymers, which are very large molecules. &nbsp,

Although plastics and polymers are a necessary component of life, we can be more selective about how much of each we use and throw away.

As a consumer, I like the idea of lessening the effects of my consumption and have made an effort to make decisions that, at least rationally, take into account the amount of waste they would make me produce. For instance, I am a subpar sewer and gardener. Outside of the typical suburban American lifestyle, my family does n’t frequently hunt, fish, or otherwise take care of its needs.

Recently, as I was out shopping for the holidays, I became aware of all these strange, seemingly pointless packaging options. Why is the gym locker padlock I purchased for a stocking stuffer packaged in an annoying clamshell when it can be hung at the hardware store already? ( I am aware that it is anti-theft, but it still irritates me. ) … In an effort to remove those clamshells, so many people cut their fingers and hands. &nbsp,

Similarly, why would the vendor at the food court give me a plastic container containing an unpeeled orange? It already has an incredible layer of protection.

I found the most recent packaging failure to be so absurd that I shared it on social media. Chuck Norris and Dorito, our two rescue cats, received corrugated cardboard scratch posts from me. They are well-liked by the cats, and the scratch posts can be recycled in full. When the most recent installment came, I was let down. It was n’t just in a shrink-wrapped sleeve; it was also placed inside bubble wrap and, after that, inside, oh, an actual corrugated cardboard box. &nbsp,

There has to be a better way, though I can imagine how the manufacturer might have chosen this packaging option. Although neither of my cats seemed to mind, some cats might like an extra box containing their cardboard item. &nbsp,

Celebrating the Packaging Design Small Wins

I still like to celebrate the advancements that have been made. &nbsp,

If the local store’s film packaging take-back programs are effective, which is a blog for another day, I was able to receive sleeve of clothing in the mail in an ingeniously created plastic mailer that did n’t need any adhesive, had very little dye or layering, and was completely recyclable. Unless you cut around it and throw the labeled section in the trash, the adhesives used to adhere paper labels to the outside of those mail pouches prevent them from being recycled. The recycled product also contains contaminating pigments from dyes that add vibrant logos or otherwise draw attention to the packaging. As a result, the recycled resin that can be made from it loses value.

You may recall that up until recently, the majority of ginger ale and lemon-lime soft drinks were sold in green bottles, but the green dye made those bottles more difficult to recycle. They are now packaged in clear bottles more frequently. The recycling process is now cleaner and more effective thanks to this change. &nbsp,

I recently purchased paper towels from my neighborhood big box store as well. This time, all the extra film was removed from the main bag, as opposed to the previous large bundle, which was a collection of rolls that were individually wrapped inside another large bag. Even worse, it stated, “50 % less plastic packaging compared to previous version.” &nbsp,

These are reliable victories. They bring me joy. I wish more businesses were actively looking for consumer-friendly ways to simplify and reduce.

Making Packaging Less of an Issue,

Even when we make an effort to shop more responsibly, there are many aspects of the effects of our purchases that we cannot see, control, or estimate in the trade-offs of their environmental effects. We simply cannot know certain factors when purchasing something, such as toxicity, climate impact, soil health, land or water use, etc. &nbsp,

As technical experts and public servants, my NIST colleagues and I consider how we can improve the supply chain for everyone. We want to empower packaging that is simpler, cleaner, or uses less material by setting a higher standard. More materials should enter the supply chain and be utilized once more. &nbsp,

When it comes to the circular economy, we consider and research a lot of important issues. What inquiries ought to be made of each supplier or customer at each stage of the supply chain? What details are required for effective chemical, material, and design decisions? For the benefit of the film recycling market, could all the transparent film and bags in the grocery store’s produce section be just one material? Better yet, can we agree on a single material or format for the labels on plastic bottles so that recycling will be simple? We can perform much better. &nbsp,

The circular economy is something that NIST is working to advance, including the notion that everything we produce should have a way back to another life rather than just being thrown in the trash or burned. &nbsp,

For instance, we are developing a number of new techniques to aid in the identification of plastics. For a laboratory method known as mass spectrometry, which identifies compounds and measures their amounts, this effort entails adding thousands of new pieces of data on additives to our database. &nbsp,

When materials recovery facilities or recyclers need to identify plastic waste, we’re also publishing research on how AI might make less expensive, quicker devices more powerful and accurate. As a result, it might be simpler to separate more material into cleaner batches, which would allow local governments to profit more from selling them. As a result, more materials can be more affordably recovered from sorting facilities, avoiding landfills and incinerators. There is still a ton of work to be done.

Since the demand for packaging will skyrocket if this problem is not addressed, we must take action. We still need to set an example for how a high-income country can cut back so that we leak and pollute less, even though the U.S. is not expected to be the main driver of all that expected growth in demand. &nbsp,

In its extensive study, the United States consumes more plastic and plastic waste than any other nation, according to the Global Plastics Outlook of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Each year, the United States produces 255.2 kilograms, or 562 pounds, of plastic per person. &nbsp,

Additionally, the United States produces 485 pounds of plastic waste per person annually, or 220.5 kilograms. Less than 50 cats ‘ worth of plastic per person, then! In addition, &nbsp,

Even though not all of it is in the form of packaging and other short-term uses, a significant portion is—nearly two-thirds. As a percentage of the total, the OECD found that the United States has less mismanaged waste than most nations, but even when we produce so much waste, that number by mass is still high. &nbsp,

Although some packaging is required, we can reduce waste.

I’m going to assume that we’ll always want our paper products delivered in some kind of moisture-resistant film, whether via store or mail. If that is the case, we will need a lot of film to distribute all those products to more than 325 million Americans and 8 billion people worldwide. &nbsp,

It’s not as easy as simply outlawing the current movie and hoping that whatever we replace it with is superior to the previous version. We’ll replace it with something, and some of the effects I mentioned above might improve. Some of them could worsen. It’s difficult to say much about what “better” might look like overall at this time. &nbsp,

We require frameworks for information and decision-making that adapt to the available resources. Another location where NIST can develop better, more resilient, and circular supply chains is through the use of its special superpowers of technical expertise and partnerships.

In the packaging market, there is still a lot of overkill. &nbsp,

As a consumer, I hope that moderation and broader consideration of other factors ( like practical recyclability ) will continue to advance across the entire market. The scratch post was probably wrapped in three layers of packaging because there were issues with each attempt, first one, and then two. They continued to add layers as a result. In formulation and design, that happens so frequently. &nbsp,

Once we have solved the main issue, we humans frequently do n’t stop to consider what we can strip away—what we do not need. Who has n’t made that error while preparing, baking, or decorating for the holidays? ( I’m examining you, Mom, and your issue with Santa Claus. )

In the end, even though I am concerned about how much my family spends, Chuck Norris still has me at his whim, and his needs must be met. Therefore, we will continue to purchase that enormous cardboard object. We’ll use every side before sawing it in half so he can also tear apart the interior surface. &nbsp,

Before purchasing another part, we will make the most of every component and try to avoid using more shrink film and bubble wrap. Then we’ll throw it away in the recycling can for paper and cardboard. I’m hoping that some of that extra packaging wo n’t be needed the next time I order one.