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That’s a wrap!

Physics World May 2020

Physics World

 
Comment: Editorial Physics World  May 2020
Courtesy: iStock/Placebo365

That’s a wrap!

Physics World will be switching to a paper wrapper, when the COVID-19 pandemic allows

“When we should all be trying to reduce the amount of waste plastic dumped into the ecosphere, I would really like Physics World not to be delivered enveloped in a plastic shroud. Those of us who like to have a physical copy of Physics World would be relieved to know that we are not adding to the planet’s problems.”

That is just one of many comments that we received from environmentally conscious readers over the last few years wondering why print copies of Physics World magazine were still being sent wrapped in plastic. People said that they were being sent other magazines in some kind of bioplastic or paper, so why was Physics World behind the times? Surely Physics World – and the Institute of Physics – should be taking the environmental lead?

It’s true that many other magazines are no longer sent in traditional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags, known in the publishing trade as “polywrap”. But like all good physicists, we wanted to check the scientific and green credentials of the various alternatives to ensure that we’d be making the right choice. If we were going to switch from polywrap, we didn’t just want to unthinkingly follow the herd (see the feature “Physics World unwrapped” for more about the science of magazine packaging).

As we suspected, LDPE has several plus points. It’s cheap, durable and light. It’s widely accepted by postal systems around the world. And it’s technically recyclable (although only if you take it to an appropriate recycling point). The snag – and it’s a big one – is that LDPE is made from an energy-hungry fossil-fuel process, which has led many other publishers to switch to “compostable” wrappers. Typically containing about 30% starch, they’re opaque and their different, flimsier texture makes them somehow seem “greener” than traditional plastic wrappers. Trouble is, they’re not designed to be reused, they usually degrade very slowly and they still contain material derived from fossil fuels.

Weighing up the evidence, Physics World has decided to switch to sending copies out in paper. The ability to mail thousands of copies of a magazine in paper has only arisen in the last few years and the beauty is that paper is easily recycled, comes from a sustainable source and requires less energy to produce. It’s not perfect. A paper wrapper is heavier – and so costs more to send – while paper mills pump out lots of waste water. But short of abandoning print altogether and insisting that everyone reads the digital version of Physics World, it’s the least-worst option.

The change was timed to coincide with this special issue of Physics World, which examines ways to reduce, track and recycle the mountains of plastic waste consumed and disposed of each year. Sadly, the disruption caused by COVID-19 put those plans on hold, but we’ll be switching as soon as we can.