Discover the Damaging Impact of Plastic and Why Lil Packaging is Your Eco-friendly Solution
It's no secret that our planet is drowning in plastic. From the deepest ocean trenches to the most remote polar regions, no corner of the earth remains untouched by this persistent pollutant. Globally, we produce a staggering 300 million tonnes of plastic waste each year – that's equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. And it's not just the sheer volume of plastic that's the problem. Unlike organic materials, plastic doesn't biodegrade. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which are virtually impossible to clean up and have devastating impacts on wildlife and ecosystems.
One of the most visible and distressing impacts of plastic waste is on our oceans and marine life. An estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in our seas each year, causing immense suffering and death to hundreds of thousands of marine creatures. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and choke, seabirds ingest tiny plastic particles that fill their stomachs, leading to starvation, and whales wash up on our shores with stomachs bursting full of plastic debris.
But the damage doesn't stop at our oceans. Plastic waste also pollutes our landscapes, choking our rivers, suffocating our soil and poisoning our wildlife. It leaches harmful chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates, which contaminate our food and water supplies and have been linked to a range of health problems in humans, including fertility issues and cancer. And let's not forget about the contribution of plastic production and disposal to climate change. The plastic industry is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, from the extraction of fossil fuels used as raw materials to the incineration of plastic waste.
The role of businesses in plastic pollution
- As consumers, we all have a part to play in reducing plastic waste. But it's businesses that have the real power to drive change. Companies are the primary producers of plastic, and their choices about what materials to use and how to package their products have a profound impact on the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our environment. Unfortunately, many businesses continue to prioritise cost and convenience over sustainability, resulting in the unnecessary overuse and wasteful design of plastic packaging.
Take the e-commerce industry, for example. With the rise of online shopping, the amount of packaging waste has skyrocketed. All too often, products are shipped in oversized boxes filled with non-recyclable plastic padding, or wrapped in layers upon layers of plastic film. Not only does this create a mountain of waste, but it also contributes to the 'throwaway culture' that is at the heart of our plastic problem.
But it's not just about the amount of plastic businesses produce; it's also about how they manage their waste. Too many companies are failing to take responsibility for the end-of-life of their products and packaging. They shift the burden onto consumers, who are left to navigate confusing and often inadequate recycling systems. And even when plastic is collected for recycling, much of it is shipped overseas, where it can end up being dumped or burned in countries with weaker environmental regulations.

Subscribe to our newsletter
The latest news, events and stories delivered right to your inbox