In response to a global pandemic, there's been an upswing in the use of single-use items like gloves, masks and protective visors but A Plastic Planet is on a mission to remind people that disposables don't need to be wasteful. Wi the aid of Reelbrands and Transcend Packaging, A Plastic Planet created a plastic-free protective visor for doctors and nurses working in hospitals. The REELshield is made from FSC food-grade paper as well as a certified home compostable PEFC wood pulp cellulose, which makes it both compostable and recyclable.
The lightweight, eco-friendly piece of protective equipment boasts an adjustable design that's just as useful as its plastic counterparts. To support the proper disposal of PPE, A Plastic Planet is working with Terracycle to create marked bins.
Image Credit: A Plastic Planet
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Rise of Plastic-free Protective Equipment
- The demand for plastic-free protective equipment has increased due to the global pandemic, creating opportunities for innovative alternatives.
- Sustainable Materials for PPE
- There is a growing interest in using sustainable materials like FSC food-grade paper and compostable PEFC wood pulp cellulose for the production of PPE.
- Collaboration for Proper Disposal
- Collaboration between organizations like A Plastic Planet and Terracycle is essential to create effective disposal systems for PPE.
Where This Applies
- Healthcare
- The healthcare industry can explore innovative ways to produce plastic-free protective equipment that is both safe and eco-friendly.
- Packaging
- The packaging industry can capitalize on the use of sustainable materials for PPE manufacturing, creating new market opportunities.
- Waste Management
- The waste management industry can benefit from collaboration with organizations to set up proper disposal systems for PPE, reducing environmental impact.
