Plastic packaging – how to solve this ecological problem?

Plastic is widely used all over the world, so its impact on the environment is huge and unequivocally negative. Every year, humanity produces over 400 million tons of plastic. Unfortunately, the used plastic usually does not end up in recycling, but in landfills, seas and oceans, where it creates islands of garbage and threatens marine life.

We are happy that today's consumer is more aware of their product choices and their impact on the environment than a few years ago. That is why we decided to create certified eco-friendly products whose packaging is plastic-free in 100%.

How many tons of plastic do we produce per year?

Due to a number of desirable properties and economic issues, the production and range of applications of plastics – so-called plastics – has expanded very widely in recent years. It has been calculated that we have produced about 8.5 billion tons of this material so far. In Europe alone, almost 60 million tons of plastic are produced annually.

As plastic production has increased, so has the amount of waste. Although some plastic is recycled, a huge amount of it is taken to landfills, where it slowly breaks down into smaller pieces (so-called microplastics) and becomes a serious threat to the environment. The rest goes directly into the environment. It is estimated that a truckload of synthetic waste falls into the oceans every minute. This includes the everyday disposable bags, caps, bottles, string, straws and cigarette butts that we know and use (cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate, which is also a type of plastic).

Plastic - data that is alarming

• In the U.S. alone, 1.8 billion plastic bottles of dietary supplements are sold each year, many of which are additionally packaged in “secondary packaging” such as boxes, sachets and plastic wrap.
• It is estimated that 76% of dietary supplement packaging is made of plastic.
• Many companies have started using glass packaging as a more sustainable alternative to plastic. However, glass generates more greenhouse gases during transport than plastic, and although it is more environmentally friendly, it takes more than a million years to decompose.
• The vast majority of plastic waste (almost 70%) ends up in landfills, about 17% is incinerated, generating a huge amount of harmful substances, and 3% ends up in the ocean every year. However, this waste does not completely decompose because it turns into microplastics.
• It is estimated that less than 9% of all plastic waste is recycled in the U.S. Of that, more than 50% of that recycled is shipped overseas (the vast majority going to lower-income countries) where waste management systems are ineffective.

Impact of plastic on the environment

Plastic decomposes very slowly—some types can take hundreds of years to decompose. In the meantime, plastic waste ends up in soil, rivers, oceans, and even the air as microplastics, negatively impacting the health of ecosystems. In the oceans, plastic creates huge islands of garbage, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which threatens marine life and disrupts ecological balance.

Its toxicity is also significant. During the production and decomposition of plastic, harmful chemicals are released and penetrate the environment. They can accumulate in living organisms. Animals often mistake plastic for food and eat it, which leads to their poisoning or death.

Microplastics in water and food pose a growing health risk to humans. They are invisible to the naked eye, but their particles penetrate the body. They then accumulate in tissues, causing inflammation, hormonal disruption and cell damage.

Microplastics, or small plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, can be found almost everywhere in our environment. Even the air is polluted by them, plastic fibers float in the atmosphere and then end up in our lungs. Microplastics have already been detected in food products such as fish, salt and bottled water. The presence of microplastics in the digestive system can negatively affect the gut microbiome, which is crucial for the overall health and immunity of the body.

Plastic in dietary supplements

The dietary supplement market in Poland is growing rapidly. Over 75% adult Poles admitted that they purchased at least one dietary supplement in 2022. The number of people who reach for dietary supplements is growing every year, and currently about 40% Poles regularly use vitamins or other dietary supplements.¹

Many dietary supplements available on the market are packaged in plastic. Plastic bottles, blisters or caps are used because they are lightweight and their production does not generate high costs. They also contribute to the increase in waste and environmental pollution, which is increasingly emphasized by environmental organizations and consumers themselves.

The alternative is natural and organic dietary supplements that can be sold in plastic-free packaging., such as glass jars, metal cans or paper bags. These materials are more environmentally friendly because they can be recycled or reused. If you choose such products, you not only support a healthy lifestyle, but also contribute to the reduction of plastic in everyday life.

Plastic Recycling – Can You Dispose of It Effectively?

In Poland, plastic recycling remains a challenge despite new regulations. Currently, only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled, with much of it going to incinerators or landfills. The recycling industry points to a problem with access to suitable secondary raw materials, which is hampering the development of a circular economy.

The deposit system can help reduce the amount of plastic waste, increase recycling efficiency and improve the quality of the environment. It was originally supposed to become the norm in Poland from January 2025, but its introduction was postponed to October 1, 2025 due to the need to refine technical and organizational details that will reduce the risk of problems for consumers, trade and local governments. The system will cover plastic bottles up to 3 liters, reusable glass bottles up to 1.5 liters and metal cans up to 1 liter. The deposit will be returned without the need to present a receipt.

Awareness of the harmfulness of plastic and the attitude of consumers

Awareness of the impact of plastic on the environment is growing, which translates into changes in consumer attitudes. More and more people are choosing ecological products: reusable, biodegradable packaging, made from recycled materials. The increased interest in these plastic packaging substitutes is due to educational campaigns, the influence of pro-ecological movements and the availability of innovative solutions on the market. This trend is also driven by regulations eliminating single-use plastic products, which forces producers and consumers to look for new solutions.

Companies themselves are increasingly adapting their offerings to meet the demands of eco-conscious customers. In the long term, such actions will help reduce the production and consumption of plastic and drive the development of a circular economy.

Natural dietary supplements without plastic packaging

Our ecological footprint, or the negative impact we have on the natural environment as inhabitants of this planet, is enormous. We are encouraged by the fact that today’s consumer is more aware of their product choices and their impact on the environment than the consumer of just five years ago.

You too, by making some small changes in your daily life, can contribute to ensuring that future generations can look to the future positively. That is why we have created not only certified ecological products, but also products whose packaging is free from plastic in 100%. This means that they can be reused or fed into the garden composter.

Join us in supporting organic dietary supplements that are responsibly packaged and environmentally friendly. Together, for nature, for the next generations!