According to a study by ifeu and GVM published by WWF Germany, substituting fossil-based materials with biogenic resources in packaging is not automatically more sustainable. Although overall packaging consumption in Germany is projected to drop by nearly 16%—from 17.89 million tonnes in 2023 to 15.05 million tonnes by 2045—the widespread adoption of bio-based plastics threatens to drive land use up by over 16% and water demand up by 7% compared to 2023 levels. To achieve true decarbonisation without causing severe ecological trade-offs, policy makers and business leaders must prioritise packaging prevention, functional reuse systems, and closed-loop material recycling over a blanket shift to bio-based plastics.
The study investigates how Germany’s future packaging demand can be met using bio-based resources while minimising biomass use and maintaining environmental compatibility. It notes that although packaging volumes are declining and recycled materials are increasing, the use of bio-based plastics raises land and water needs and causes higher environmental pollution compared to paper.
Recommendations:
- Prioritise prevention, reuse, and recycling over widespread use of bio-based plastics.
- Reduce the use of primary wood in favor of waste wood and recycled materials.
- Employ Power-to-X plastics responsibility as a complementary option to reduce ecological conflicts and strengthen sustainability in packaging.
