The BioDesign Newsletter

Issue #023

You’re halfway through enjoying your Coke, and now you're suddenly getting a paper taste and your straw is disintegrating. Or you’re struggling to close a bottle with a fiddly tethered cap. We've all been there. They're small things, but they're frustrating. But why do we have to deal with these inconveniences? The answer: the EU’s single-use plastic regulations.

What has EU Legislation Changed

Since July 2021, the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive has banned plastic straws and mandated that bottle caps must stay attached to bottles. These rules are aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting recycling, but they’ve created some unexpected issues. 

Whilst yes, these are well-intentioned measures, they have left little room for effective product design. Essentially, this means there has been a compromise in customer experience. Many customers are voicing their irritation with countless videos slamming the bottle cap designs and paper straws being cursed at every drive-through. 

Capri Sun Fights or The Return of the Plastic Straws 

It’s not just consumers who are unhappy. Capri Sun, the school favourite juice pouch brand, is petitioning the EU Commission to lift the ban on plastic straws for drink pouches. Capri Sun argues that they’ve designed a new recyclable pouch made from a single material—polypropylene—that would allow the plastic straw and pouch to be recycled together. However, with a paper straw, consumers would need to separate it for recycling.

As one could probably predict, Capri Sun’s campaign has faced backlash. Critics are sceptical about the recyclability claims and worry that bringing back plastic straws would undermine the push for more sustainable packaging. This story has raised an important question: Is the legislation helping the environment, or is it causing more problems?

Is Legislation Helping or Hindering?

While the EU’s efforts to curb plastic waste are well-intentioned, the policies are hindering innovation and practical product design. 

The gap between product development, waste management, and policymakers has led to products that meet legal requirements but sacrifice user experience and efficiency. This reinforces the common consumers' belief that eco-friendly choices mean making compromises, like dealing with soggy straws. 

Although arguably, more concerningingly, is the consumer perceptions of sustainable materials. There’s a lot of confusion about what’s truly sustainable. Many consumers assume: plastic is bad and paper is better, but it's not always so cut and dry. For example, while paper straws may seem eco-friendly, they often aren’t recyclable due to their coating, and their production can still have a significant environmental impact. So as we all hold our soggy straws in pride (and frustration), are they helping the planet as much as we all initially thought?

Are Paper and Plastic the Only Two in the Ring?

Instead of focusing on paper versus plastic, it's time to think out of the box. Fortunately, many material innovators are doing just that. The desire for sustainable packaging has pushed the development of plastic-free packaging alternatives like bioplastics and advanced recycling solutions.

Bioplastics, derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or seaweed, could provide the durability of plastic without long-term environmental damage and compromise on experience. However, brands, consumers, and governments will need to work together to amend standards and definitions to ensure the adoption of bioplastics is not limited by new regulations.

Redesigning Both Policy and Packaging

As we strive for a plastic-free future is important we take care to create alternatives that do not come at the cost of practicality, innovation or even the planet. Through the balance of innovation, legislation, and smart designs we can create products that meet environmental goals without sacrificing user experience. More conversations between innovators and policymakers mean that innovation, like bioplastics and new recycling infrastructure, can have a huge positive change in the packaging space creating solutions that work for both the planet and the people.

Know any materials which might suit better as a straw than plastic or paper? Let us know on social media.

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