Research reports and studiesSeptember 2020Renilde Becqué and Samuel SharpPlastic bottles. Photo: Jonathan Chng/UnsplashMost plastic packaging is used only once, within six months of its manufacture, making packaging in 2015 the source of 47% of the world’s plastic waste.This report explores the technical feasibility of phasing out packaging made from fossil plastic by 2050. Part of a broader research project investigating the technical potential for the phase-out of virgin plastics made from fossil fuels, the study presents a low-plastic-consumption vision for 2050 that is compatible with containing the rise in average global temperature to 1.5°C. In this scenario, there would be an 80% reduction in the consumption of single-use packaging by 2050 compared with a business-as-usual scenario.Read the research Phasing out plastics: the packaging sectorDocumentpdfRelated Phasing out plasticsThis report explores the potential for extensive emission reductions in the plastics sector.Research reports and studies20 September 2020Phasing out plastics: the automotive sectorThis report explores the technical feasibility of phasing out fossil-fuel plastics in the automotive industry by 2050.Research reports and studies20 September 2020 Phasing out plastics: the construction sectorThis report illustrates how the construction sector presents an enormous opportunity to reduce the use of plastic by 2050.Research reports and studies20 September 2020Phasing out plastics: the electrical and electronic equipment sectorThis report illustrates how the consumption of plastic materials could be drastically reduced by 2050.Research reports and studies20 September 2020See more:climateclimate changeGlobal
