Sulapac flags industry-level biodegradable changes necessary, warns microplastics “are everywhere”

19 May 2022 --- As industry players commit to reaching cleaner beauty practices by 2030, biomaterial beauty packaging expert Sulapac is raising alarm bells by directing awareness to microplastics and their “potentially dangerous” health impacts on living creatures and the ecosystem.

“To avoid the detrimental effects of microplastics on nature and ourselves, we must replace conventional plastics with biodegrade materials and don’t leave permanent microplastics behind,” stresses the company. 

“At the rate plastics production is rising, recycling and reusing will not be enough.” 

There are two kinds of microplastics, primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are microscopic particles, such as microbeads in cosmetics or microfibers in clothing. Secondary microplastics come from the breaking down of oversized plastic products during use.

Innova Market Insights has pegged “Shared Planet” as the Top Ten Trend of 2022, highlighting that planetary concerns overtake individual health.

“Sulapac leaves no permanent microplastics behind”
The Sulapac material has been designed to leave no permanent microplastics behind, adds the company. It degrades safely for aquatic organisms and has “no long-term” impacts on the environment.Primary microplastics are microscopic particles, such as microbeads in cosmetics. Credit: Sulapac.

“As it’s made of responsibly sourced, sustainable materials, it also has a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional plastic,” says Sulapc. A 0,09 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram (CO2eq./kg) is measured for Sulapac Universal. Sulapac Premium is measured at 0,21 kgCO2eq./kg. In contrast, the carbon footprint of polypropylene is typically around 1,7 CO2eq/kg, details the company. 

Sulapac recommends that the biodegradable material can easily be mass-produced for products ranging from luxury packaging to food contact products.

Culminating microplastics
Microplastics are easily ignored as they are literally out of sight to the human eye. However, they are everywhere – at remotest locations, atmospheres and biodiversity hotspots. 

“This might have significant, cumulative environmental and health impacts. Solving the problem requires both individual and system-level changes concerning plastic use and production,” says Sulapac. 

This is because plastic does not “go away.” It circulates. Microplastics can accumulate in the soil, air and oceans since it does not biodegrade – affecting the entire ecosystem. 

Not promising for human health
As microplastics travel with wind, rain and oceans, it becomes a global problem needing worldwide policies regarding plastic production, recycling and alternatives. At the rate plastics production is rising, recycling and reusing will not be enough. Credit: Sulapac. 

“Research shows that microplastics can be found both in our food and household dust.” 

The company explains that the effects are not entirely known for humans. 

Microplastics have been found to disrupt reproductive systems, cause tissue inflammation and alter feeding behavior in Marine wildlife. 

“This isn’t promising news for humans either,” flags the company. 

 “Microplastics release chemicals, carry microbial contaminants and physically enter our bloodstream. Further research on the overall effects is needed. Still, our bodies will be subject to increasing microplastics, with plastic production rising and recycling lagging.” 

The company recently partnered with Shiseido brand Ulé providing microplastic free lids. “By using Sulapac materials, companies can tackle the global plastic crisis and microplastics pollution,” Dr. Suvi Haimi, CEO and co-founder at Sulapac previously told PersonalCareInsights.

Edited by Venya Patel