Recently, The New York Times unveiled a trove of leaked documents from the plastics industry, exposing a coordinated effort to reshape public perception and downplay the environmental consequences of plastic waste. The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), a key player in this campaign, used paid influencers, misleading messaging, and covert tactics to obscure the true cost of plastic pollution.
Key Revelations from the Article
- Deceptive Campaigns: NAPCOR employed influencers to present PET plastics as a “closed-loop, zero-waste system,” despite recycling rates of PET plastic bottles alone in the U.S. stagnating below 30% for over a decade. Much of the remaining plastic ends up incinerated, in landfills, or polluting the environment.
- Olympics “Newsjacking”: During the Paris Olympics, NAPCOR inserted its messaging into trending conversations, falsely framing recycling – rather than reduction or bans – as the best solution to the plastics crisis.
- Hidden Industry Ties: By masking its involvement in campaigns like “Positively PET,” NAPCOR sought to make their messaging appear authentic and consumer-driven, avoiding scrutiny of their true motives.
- Misleading Partnerships: The industry partnered with celebrities and leveraged institutions like Michigan State University’s School of Packaging – backed by industry funding – to legitimize their claims.
The leaked documents provide a damning view of how the plastics industry has prioritized its financial interests over environmental health, using half-truths and outright falsehoods to mislead the public.
Countering the Misinformation
The plastics industry’s claims hinge on promoting recycling as a panacea, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. While PET plastics are technically recyclable, the reality is that less than a third of these materials are actually recycled. The remainder contributes to mounting plastic pollution, from microplastics infiltrating our bodies to macroplastics polluting coastlines.
Here are the facts:
- Recycling Alone Isn’t Enough: Recycling infrastructure is overwhelmed, underfunded, and incapable of handling the sheer volume of plastic waste produced annually. It’s a stopgap, not a solution.
- The Environmental Toll: Plastics leach harmful chemicals into ecosystems and take hundreds of years to degrade. The production of virgin plastics, which continues to rise, exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.
- Circular Alternatives Exist: Compostable materials offer a viable, scalable solution to the plastic problem. When verified through rigorous certifications like BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute), TÜV, or CMA (Compost Manufacturing Alliance), compostable products ensure that packaging waste can return to the earth safely and sustainably.
Why Compostable Solutions Are the Future
At Better Earth, we’ve committed ourselves to developing certified compostable packaging that supports a circular economy. Unlike plastics, our products are designed to break down in commercial composting facilities, creating nutrient-rich soil rather than persistent waste. Certifications from BPI, TÜV, and CMA guarantee that our materials meet strict standards for biodegradability and compostability, providing consumers and businesses with a trusted alternative.
Furthermore, compostable packaging aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and pollution. As nations gather to negotiate a global plastics treaty, it’s clear that limiting production and fostering alternative solutions are critical to creating a sustainable future. For example, Better Earth’s Climate Smart Packaging – including our Farmer’s Fiber collection – demonstrates that packaging can be both functional and environmentally responsible.
Three Key Takeaways
- Plastic Recycling Is Not a Closed Loop: Despite industry claims, most PET plastics end up in landfills, incinerators, or as pollution. Recycling is an inadequate solution to the growing plastics crisis.
- Look for Certified Compostable Solutions: Products certified by organizations like BPI, TÜV, and CMA ensure true compostability, offering an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic packaging.
- Better Earth Supports a Circular Economy: By prioritizing compostable materials and rejecting greenwashing, Better Earth is dedicated to reducing waste and fostering a sustainable future.
The time has come to reject the plastics industry’s misinformation and embrace compostable solutions that deliver real environmental benefits. Together, we can shift the narrative and build a world where packaging works in harmony with the planet.
Source: New York Times “Inside the Plastic Industry’s Battle to Win Over Hearts and Minds”
