Packaging environmental impacts

Subchapter D - Information and Education Subchapter E - Environmental Impact Review Subchapter F - National Uniformity for Nonprescription Drugs and Preemption for Labeling or Packaging of Cosmetics Subchapter G - Safety Reports... 

The overall environmental impact is dominated by the system of distribution. This category includes products which are transported over long distances, are heavy, and use of a lot of packaging. Examples include fresh out of season vegetables. 

In the past decades, polymer materials have been continuously replacing more traditional materials such as paper, metal, glass, stone, wood, natural fibres and natural rubber in the fields of clothing industry, E E components, automotive materials, aeronautics, leisure, food packaging, sports goods, etc. Without the existence of suitable polymer materials progress in many of these areas would have been limited. Polymer materials are appreciated for their chemical, physical and economical qualities including low production cost, safety aspects and low environmental impact (cf. life-cycle analysis). 

The equivalent calculation of the environmental impact on the European level for substituting recycled fibre-based packaging material by virgin fibre-based material results in the required amount of 47 Mio t of wood or an equivalent of 110 million m3 of standing timber, an additional annual consumption of 400 Mio m3 of water,... 

The impact of normal operation of the Eco Logic technology package on human health and the environment was addressed in the ACW I Committee report (NRC, 1999). That report s conclusion—that the health and environmental impacts are minimal—and the supporting information it contains are unchanged. 

Section 3 - Environmental Aspects. An environmental impact statement is needed. This will include a list or diagram showing all effluents and wastes (including packaging), and a description of how they will be disposed of, controlled and monitored. A check is also made on whether special mechanisms could result in loss of containment and environmental damage (such as earthquake, flood, wind, storm, fire and fire water run-off). 

United States alone, 5 x 109 kg of plastic resins (typically used in packaging and transportation) are produced every year. Disposable goods and packing material represent about one-third of the total plastic production and have the largest environmental impact. More than 90% of the plastic material in municipal waste consists of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene, which are all resistant to biodegradation (see Table 9.1). 

FAIR-Project PL 98-4170. Actipak Evaluating safety, effectiveness, economic-environmental impact and consumer acceptance of active and intelligent packaging. Duration 1998-2001. Final report 2003. 

Knowledge of the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals Regulatory authorities expect manufacturers to address this concern in their application to market new chemical entities. Aspects include manufacture (chemical pollution), packaging (waste disposal), pollution in immediate use, e.g. antimicrobials and, more remotely, drugs... 

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