Every year, Plastic Free July puts the spotlight on one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges. Globally, more than 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, with around two-thirds becoming waste after only a short period of use. Yet despite decades of recycling campaigns, less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled.

Our Head of Sustainability, Andrew Young, has given his thoughts on the future of plastic use:

More of our clients are now asking questions about materials than ever before. Five years ago, sustainability conversations were often focused on carbon reporting, recycling rates or ESG strategies. Today, we’re increasingly being asked much more practical questions:

  • “Can we remove PVC from this display?”
  • “Do we really need this plastic component?”
  • “Is there a fibre-based alternative?”
  • “What happens to this material when the campaign finishes?”

The challenge is to design products and packaging that do not create unnecessary waste in the first place. In retail, packaging and point-of-sale, that is where we believe the biggest opportunity sits.

We recently worked with a retail client to review a large suite of in-store POS materials. The objective was not driven by a sustainability target or CSR commitment. They wanted to simplify materials, reduce waste and make disposal easier for stores. By reviewing specifications alongside material suppliers, we identified opportunities to replace several plastic-based components with fibre alternatives while maintaining the same visual impact and durability. Across thousands of units, relatively small specification changes can remove significant volumes of material from a supply chain. That is where the opportunity lies: improving products and processes that are used day after day across hundreds of locations.

Within our own operations, one simple switch to a reusable packing solution will reduce our plastic packaging use by more than 11 tonnes per year.

We’re seeing similar conversations across many sectors. Brands are looking at how displays can be reused rather than replaced. Packaging teams are questioning whether multiple materials are really needed and if reuse systems can be introduced. Procurement teams are looking beyond purchase price and considering end-of-life impacts.

Across APS, we’re experienced in helping clients make those decisions. We’ve achieved EcoVadis Gold status, placing us among the top-performing organisations assessed globally for sustainability performance. We also maintain FSC® and PEFC chain of custody certifications, helping clients source responsibly managed paper and card alternatives, and we’re continuing to invest in lower-impact materials, improved waste management and circular design principles.

Ten years ago, many fibre-based alternatives were more expensive, harder to manufacture and less able to match the visual quality of plastic-based products. Today, that is often no longer the case. Material innovation has accelerated rapidly, giving brands far more choice than ever before.

Read more about our sustainability commitment here