In a study led by the University of Sheffield, researchers found that substituting plastics with alternative materials actually results in increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Following an explosion in plastic production during the 20th century, plastics are now deemed as a chief culprit of global warming. The reason for this is that they are produced from fossil fuels and can stay in the environment for hundreds of years.

While the search for non-plastic alternatives continues, one study finds that these are not necessarily better for the environment.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering – together with researchers from the University of Cambridge and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology – examined the greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic products versus their alternatives (not including reusable bioplastics or compostable and biodegradable alternatives).

The research team assessed 16 applications where plastics are...