PET packaging carbon footprint: advantages and systemic challenges in plastics decarbonization

Packaging decarbonization is a complex puzzle. PET plastic offers a lower carbon footprint than many alternatives, but the broader plastics system faces structural hurdles. This article from Packaging Insights examines where PET actually wins on emissions and where the industry's systemic problems, such as recycling rates and end-of-life management, undermine progress. For companies tracking carbon intensity in packaging, the key takeaway is that material choice alone is not enough. The full lifecycle, from resin production to disposal and circularity, determines real decarbonization. Policymakers and buyers should look beyond per-unit emissions and consider the infrastructure needed to scale PET recycling and reduce reliance on virgin plastic.