A report from the European Environment Office on Tuesday warned of an increase in the use of coated paper packaging in the food and drink sector, a product that is very difficult to recycle compared to other products such as plastic.
“In the case of food and drink packaging, the level and quality of recycling is hampered by coatings and composites that hinder recycling processes,” say the authors of a report by the European Environment Bureau (EEB) on the risks of “paper packaging”. Single-use food packaging: a false solution to the waste crisis.”
The authors note that “in 74% of samples tested, plastic was found to be more recyclable than paper-based alternatives,” a situation compounded by a lack of oversight in the sector.
“In general, just over half of the paper and board produced uses recovered fibers. In theory, paper and cardboard can be recycled approximately eight times, but on average European paper fibers are recycled only 3.5 times,” can be read in the report, which indicates that Portugal is the fourth largest supplier of paper pulp to this sector in the EU after Brazil, Sweden and Finland.
The report highlights the case of Brazil. With 3.6 million tonnes of paper pulp per year and 20% of total EU trade, Brazil has tripled its production over the past two decades, now occupying twice the hectares of Belgium.
“Eucalyptus and pine plantations in Brazil are exacerbating water shortages, wildfires and biodiversity loss,” warn the authors, who advocate alternative solutions to paper such as reusable materials, or, conversely, higher demand for life-cycle recycling. materials.
“Paper and cardboard are the fastest growing group of packaging materials in Europe. Paper packaging continues to be the largest source of packaging waste in the European Union: 41.1%, for a total of 32.7 million tonnes in 2020, more than double the next two materials combined (plastics – 19 .4% and glass – 19.1%).
Given the “environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with plastic,” “paper packaging is increasingly being positioned as an environmentally friendly alternative,” but the report authors note that the material carries additional risks because the material is “almost always combined with plastics and chemicals.” coatings.” “
“Paper packaging in the food and beverage sector presents many challenges throughout its life cycle, including the impact of the pulp, paper and packaging industry on climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and deforestation,” among other factors such as “widespread the use of hazardous chemicals, many of which can leach into food and enter our bodies,” the study says.
According to the document, “paper production accounts for about 35% of all trees cut down” globally, and Europe is already seeing the concrete effects of these demand pressures.
“Finnish forests have become a net emitter of carbon dioxide due to excessive forest cover, and 76% of Finnish forest habitats are classified as threatened,” while in Sweden, the ability of trees to sequester CO2 “has been reduced by five million tons due to excessive exploitation,” the report says.
Additionally, “paper remains the second largest waste stream transferred to third countries, after ferrous metals,” with “12.4% of paper collected for recycling in the EU (representing 4.4 million tonnes) being exported, the majority which goes to Asia (mainly to India, Indonesia and Turkey).”
In the case of chemicals used in paper food packaging, the authors identify several that may cause “cancer and disrupt human reproductive and hormonal systems.”
“An analysis of paper packaging and takeaway utensils in Europe found that 32 of 42 items tested were intentionally treated with perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS). [com um ciclo de vida muito longo e riscos para a saúde]including many labeled as biodegradable or compostable.”
The EEB therefore insists that this issue must be resolved through discussions in the European Parliament on an EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste.
“The marketing of single-use paper products as a sustainable alternative to plastic is misleading citizens and policymakers,” and “lawmakers should seize the opportunity to curb the increase in packaging waste caused by a reliance on the overuse of single-use items,” the authors said. research.
EEB is the largest network of environmental organizations in Europe, uniting more than 180 organizations in 40 countries.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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