The Environmental Effects of Non-Eco-Friendly Packaging

The world is facing a host of environmental issues today and one of the main causes is the use of non-eco-friendly packaging materials for various consumer goods is one of the problems that the world is facing today and one of the main reason is due to the widespread use of non-eco-friendly packaging of food and other goods. These packaging materials emit toxic pollutants or poisonous gases that affect human health and the environment. Eventually, if this and other environmental issues are not resolved, the pollution they bring could wipe away the human race and other living organisms.

Modern Convenience

Packaging is a modern convenience that has been developed in many forms over the years. Various types of packing are designed and manufactured as a way to protect goods and to make products easy to transport whether in bulk for commercial purposes or in retail sizes for individual or family use. What many do not realize, however, is that the modern convenience of using various packaging materials can be damaging to the environment.

The materials used for packaging vary depending on what they are used for. Unfortunately, the more popular and commonly used products use non-biodegradable and non-eco-friendly packaging materials. The products that the ordinary consumers make use of in their daily lives are packaged in materials that could harm the environment.

Environmental Hazard

A non-biodegradable material is a type of material that air, sunlight, water, and ground soil cannot breakdown. One example is expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and plastic. These account for a big part of the pile of waste in the landfills and take up space longer. They also produce a greenhouse gas called methane. Experts have pointed to this gas as one of the main culprits for the rapid increase in global temperature.

Aside from global warming, flooding is also an environmental problem caused by the use of non-eco-friendly packaging materials. The hotter temperature causes sea levels to rise. Instead of ground water draining out into the sea, water stays inland especially when there is heavy rainfall. Moreover, since non-eco-friendly packaging materials do not decompose, they can clog the sewage systems and prevent proper drainage.

Insect and pest infestation are also caused by improper disposal of plastic containers and packaging. Mosquitoes, worms, and rodents are just some of the most common pests that could spawn and breed in waste materials. These pests can bring diseases like leptospirosis and dengue fever to the communities around the infested areas.

Non-eco-friendly packaging materials have toxins such as petroleum-based and bisphenol A (BPA) that can contaminate food and water. Needless to say, this is harmful to human health. They are also dangerous to marine life. Solid waste materials harm marine life as well when they pollute the water.

Taking Responsibility

Attractive, convenient, and practical packaging materials are part of what businesses use to attract consumers to buy their products. The businesses that manufacture and package these products should take responsibility not only for the quality of its products but also to how their products, including their packaging, affect the environment. After all, who would they sell to when the Earth’s population is made extinct by their products and packaging?

About the Author:

Claire works in marketing team at Brillopak, a premium quality, small footprint robotic packing and palletising machine manufacturers in the United Kingdom. In a former life, Claire worked as a content specialist and she loves writing, reading & cooking.