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Insights for less packaging

Bob Lilienfeld, who heads Use-less-stuff.com, has championed source reduction as the key to packaging sustainability for more than a decade.

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PW: How does the amount of packaging today compare to 10 to 15 years ago?

Lilienfeld: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of packaging has not really been reduced. Between 1990 and 2005, packaging generated in the U.S. has increased from 64.5 to 76.7 million tons, and has remained at approximately 31% of all waste generated. The good news is during this time period the amount of packaging that’s being discarded has been reduced slightly, dropping from 47.8 to 46.2 million tons, due largely to recycling efforts.

PW: What is packaging’s role in the waste stream?

Lilienfeld: Packaging waste is the single biggest component of solid waste heading to our landfills. This is why consumers and the media are upset by it. In reality, our major environmental problems are not caused by packaging waste, but rather by the material and energy usage related to both the packaging and the products it protects. Once it’s in the ground, it’s benign. It’s what happens before it gets into the ground that’s important.

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