Liplid – The eco-friendly alternative

Liplid – The eco-friendly alternative

In our commitment to be the market's leading choice for disposable items like lids and cups, Liplidhas  set a goal to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution in the environment. The global concern surrounding plastic waste, particularly its impact on nature, has prompted us to take a strong stance.

There are numerous reasons why plastic lids end up in forests and oceans. They may be discarded on the ground near overflowing trash bins, or where bins are absent, and they can easily just blow away. Unfortunately, in some instances, individuals neglect their responsibility and litter lids and cups in nature. Improper waste disposal, especially the dumping of waste in waterways and oceans, exacerbates the problem. Recycling systems for many plastic lid products are lacking, as each small and lightweight lid is often deemed economically unviable to collect for recycling.

A solution must be found to reduce environmental impact, and indeed, there is one.

The European Union has made significant strides with legislation revolving around the waste hierarchy, known as the waste management hierarchy. The aim is to prioritize actions higher up the hierarchy, and through legislation and public opinion, lawmakers seek to drive development towards these preferred levels. Refer to EU Regulation 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904 for more details.

At the top of the waste hierarchy, the emphasis is on reducing packaging, ideally eliminating it altogether to conserve resources. The second step involves promoting reusable items, an increasingly relevant approach. As of January 1, 2024, new laws regarding the requirement to offer reusable items came into effect within the EU. The third step involves ensuring that packaging materials can be recycled. However, recycling possibilities for materials such as paper and plastic vary significantly between EU countries and the rest of the world. If the previous steps are not feasible, the fourth step is to recover the energy value of the material by incineration. Lastly, the least favorable option is to send the packaging to a landfill.

The intention is to use legislation to drive packaging solutions that are preferably minimalistic and reusable. Alternatively, materials in the packaging should be recyclable. At Liplid, we are proud to have developed a product that is not only 100% plastic-free but also qualifies for the top tiers of the waste hierarchy.