Between advantages and prejudices – 5 myths about plastic debunked

Plastic can do a lot. Nevertheless, the material is often ambivalent in the minds of many people. In the following article, we therefore dispel some of the most common myths surrounding plastic and explain why the material is not only valuable, but also an effective tool for protecting the environment.

Myth 1: Plastic should be avoided as much as possible in everyday life

First things first: plastics are much more than just supermarket packaging. The material is used in so many areas of life – often unnoticed – that it has become an integral part of everyday life. While reusable cloth carrier bags instead of plastic bags are to be favoured when shopping, plastics are the better choice in many other areas of use. Take power cables, for example, which are encased in plastic to prevent us from being electrified. Or the medical sector, which has been revolutionised by the invention of plastics because they have taken hygiene to a whole new level. The material is also irreplaceable in the construction industry or in the manufacture of mobility aids and sports equipment due to its light weight, good mouldability with high stability and inexpensive production options.

If we were to completely dispense with plastics in all of these areas, this would have a dramatic impact on the reality of our lives. So we have already dispelled one of the myths about plastic.

Myth 2: Resources could be saved without plastic

In fact, plastics are one of the cheapest materials to produce. Efficient production using injection moulding means that parts can be produced in very large quantities in a very short time, even when complex designs are involved. Waste products are practically non-existent.

The low weight also makes plastic the better choice compared to other materials – both in terms of money and resources. This saves a lot of CO2 in logistics alone, as the weight of the load makes a big difference to fuel consumption during transport.

Myth 3: Unpacked is always the best option

One of the myths about plastic that is particularly persistent. Plastic packaging, especially for sensitive fruit and vegetables or meat products, plays a significant role in reducing food waste – and this is known to be one of the biggest causes of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This is because plastic packaging extends the shelf life during transport and beyond, thus preventing premature spoilage of many foods. Packaging can also be an important factor for hygiene, so that contamination with bacteria is minimised.

Myth 4: Recycling plastic does not work

Unfortunately, there is still untapped potential when it comes to recycling plastic. The majority is indeed recycled, but in the form of energy recovery – in other words, it is incinerated. There are various reasons for this, ranging from incorrect or lacking waste separation by the population to the fact that energy recovery is often the more cost-effective choice.

However, this does not mean that recycling does not work. Around a third of collected plastics are already being mechanically recycled. By 2030, all plastic packaging in circulation in the EU must also be reusable or cost-effectively recyclable. With even more investment in the concept of a circular economy, where plastics can be collected by type and recycled almost endlessly, the climate protection potential of plastics could be optimised even further.

Myth 5: Plastic is bad for the carbon footprint

Although it is true that many types of plastic are made from crude oil, this only accounts for around 3-4% of total European consumption. At the same time, however, the material offers a great deal of potential for saving CO2 in everyday life. Thanks to its efficiency and low weight, it helps to use just as much material as necessary. This makes a considerable difference in the case of aircraft or vehicles, for example, as many of their components are made entirely or partially from plastics. And the lighter the car, the lower the emissions when in use.

The same applies to transport, as we have already seen. In logistics, every gram counts and transporting a load of plastic pipes consumes significantly less CO2 than heavy cast iron pipes.

Conclusion: Plastics are better than their reputation

In addition to these five, there are of course many other myths about plastic in circulation. Hopefully, however, we have been able to clarify things a little and open up a more nuanced view of this valuable material. At Rejlek, we are convinced of the numerous benefits that plastic offers in our lives and have therefore long favoured this important material.

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