What makes plastic packaging good or bad for the environment?

Plastic packaging often gets blamed as one of the biggest environmental villains, but the reality is far more nuanced.

Oliver Bonstein, General Manager of the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (SAPRO), says it's what happens to plastic after it's been used that really matters.

"Generally, plastic actually has a lower carbon footprint than metals, glass or paper – because of its low energy demand to produce. The big problem with plastic really comes in at the end of life when it becomes waste, which is why we really need to focus on increasing recycling solutions for used plastic."

One of the challenges is that most SA households don't have formal systems of collection set up... but there are always alternative solutions.

"In South Africa, the majority of recyclables are collected by the informal waste pickers, so they do the biggest part of the work. But people can also take their recyclables to a recycling drop-off centre in their vicinity."

It's also vital to know the difference between the "good" plastics that have been designed forrecycling, and the so-called "bad", single use plastics.

Bonstein says one of SAPRO's aims is to boost the demand for recycled plastics.

"It's really important that consumers, the private sector gets involved in supporting the recycling industry and buying products that contain recycled materials."

To listen to Oliver Bonstein in conversation with Amy MacIver, standing in for CapeTalk’s John Maytham, click the audio below: