The circular economy concept has been widely discussed for the past few years as industries seek sustainable solutions to reduce waste and environmental impact. The concept of “giving back” to what’s been “taken” from nature to rejuvenate them has transformed how we manage resources, produce and use products, and what is done afterward. That way, we can still turn the wheels of the economy without causing lasting harm to our environment.
Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) and Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BOPET) films have emerged as significant contributors to the flexible packaging industry. They are known for their excellent mechanical properties, clarity, and barrier capabilities, making them ideal for food packaging, labels, and industrial applications.
Though more commonly known as plastic film, flexible packaging has contributed greatly to the circular economy system. This article explores how BOPP and BOPET films can support the principles of a circular economy in many ways.
Photo: Freepik
The BOPP and BOPET Convenience
Compared to traditional packaging, flexible packaging requires less fossil fuel usage, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions than conventional packaging. Its lightweight and compact design allows you to maximize transport capacity, meaning fewer trips for more film. The BOPP and BOPET film’s durability protects the product from potential spoilage and destruction, thus reducing damage and food waste in the long run.
Flexible packaging made from BOPP and BOPET films has a high product-to-package ratio. Research done by the Flexible Packaging Association shows that compared to other packaging formats, flexible packaging allows for more than 75 percent of products to be packaged with its films. After going through the printing process, flexible packaging remains thin and lightweight, producing the least amount of waste sent to landfills everywhere.
Photo: Freepik
Thanks to recent innovations, flexible packaging from BOPP and BOPET can now be efficiently recycled. Both materials can be recycled through mechanical recycling, which is a process where they are collected, sorted, shredded, cleaned, and melted to form new plastic products.
Research has shown that this process gives new life to plastics without changing the materials' chemical structure, prolonging their lifespans and optimizing each film’s full potential. This process will allow BOPP and BOPET-based packaging to be converted into homogenous pellets that are ready to use for new products everywhere. Additionally, mechanical recycling is the most cost-effective way to recycle flexible materials. The process is known to not produce other, more harmful virgin materials.
Read more about Food Packaging: Enhancing Freshness and Safety with Technology
BOPP and BOPET films play a crucial role in advancing the circular economy within the packaging industry. By integrating these materials into packaging strategies, businesses can contribute to a closed-loop system that not only meets consumer demands but also safeguards the environment for future generations. For more information on flexible packaging made of BOPET and BOPP, visit PT Argha Karya Prima Industry Tbk (https://arghakarya.com).
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