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VP Market Development

Jorge Izquierdo

Jorge Izquierdo is vice president of market development for PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. He oversees all research and programs for strengthening the competitiveness of North American suppliers of packaging and processing equipment. In this role, he tracks industry and consumer trends relevant to packaging and processing operations, collects input from all industry stakeholders and shares the findings to strengthen cooperation among users and suppliers of technology. Mr. Izquierdo is a mechanical engineer with an MBA and relevant studies in globalization programs.

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Contributor Brief·Jorge Izquierdo · 1 articles
Updated Aug 8, 2023

Paper packaging may worsen net-zero emissions versus plastic alternatives

Izquierdo argues that the widespread corporate shift from plastic to paper packaging contradicts climate science and may actually increase net-zero carbon emissions. Companies pursuing this transition assume paper is inherently more sustainable, but fail to account for production energy, transportation weight, and end-of-life impacts that often favor plastic.

2.7x

more energy required to produce paper versus plastic packaging

“The push toward paper packaging may not deliver the climate gains companies expect.”

Plastic Packaging Isn't Necessarily the Enemy in the Pursuit of Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

Lifecycle carbon impact by packaging material (relative units)

Paper production energy intensity2.7 x
Plastic production energy intensity1 x
Paper transportation weight penalty2.2 x
Plastic recycling efficiency advantage1.4 x

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37%Paper production
Paper production energy intensity
Plastic production energy intensity
Paper transportation weight penalty
Plastic recycling efficiency advantage

1 in 3

companies have not measured actual lifecycle carbon of chosen packaging

Consumer perception of sustainability often contradicts the scientific reality of environmental impact.

Plastic Packaging Isn't Necessarily the Enemy in the Pursuit of Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

Switching to paper without conducting full lifecycle analysis may increase total supply chain emissions.

Plastic Packaging Isn't Necessarily the Enemy in the Pursuit of Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

“Climate commitments based on material choice alone will fail to meet net-zero targets.”

Themes:Lifecycle assessment overrides material perception in climate strategyUnintended consequences of packaging policy on total emissionsData-driven environmental decision-making versus consumer preference signals

Latest article

Retail · Aug 8

Plastic Packaging Isn’t Necessarily the Enemy in the Pursuit of Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

The push toward paper packaging may not deliver the climate gains companies expect from eliminating plastic

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Plastic Packaging Isn’t Necessarily the Enemy in the Pursuit of Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

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  • AM
    Alex M.·2h agoquestion

    What sparked your research into disruptive innovation?

    Curious what the original insight was that led you to the Innovator's Dilemma framework.

  • SL
    Sophia L.·1d agoidea

    Would love a deep-dive into EdTech adoption barriers.

    Your framing of sustaining vs. disruptive innovation feels directly applicable to school systems.

  • DR
    David R.·3d agoquestion

    How do you see AI changing the personalized learning landscape?