Plastic packaging is greener.

Working with plastic I know that in many cases it is a greener choice of material than other available options. Many plastic materials such as PVC take less energy to produce and they can last much longer. This morning I found an interesting article in Plastics News which reiterated my frustration.

Media has conditioned consumers to believe that plastic is not green and this is a real shame. In the article there is a manufacturer of organic baby food who has to make a hard choice about using plastic packaging that is less expensive and has significant environmental advantanges. However it is seen as a negative by consumers forcing the firm to consider glass which is significantly more expensive, worse for the environment but perceived to be more green by consumers.

An excerpt from the article points out the following: "Competing baby food brands in glass jars use nine times as much fossil fuel to transport and take up to 14 times the amount of landfill space. By contrast, Plum's disposable pouch is eco-friendly, competitively priced and convenient to use. "

Plastic and plastic packaging has an important and green place in our culture and it is time that more people realize this.