Us Plastic Pollution: Global Impact And Responsibility

The United States is the top contributor to ocean plastic pollution, with the highest contribution of plastic waste to land and ocean worldwide. In 2016, the US produced 42 million metric tons of plastic waste, almost twice as much as China and more than the entire European Union combined. The US generates about 287 pounds of plastic waste per person, and the vast majority of plastics are made from fossil fuels, taking hundreds of years to decompose. Despite having robust waste management infrastructure, the US faces challenges with illegal dumping and littering, with plastic waste contaminating all major ecosystems and impacting wildlife and human health.

The US is the top contributor to ocean plastic pollution

The United States is the top contributor to ocean plastic pollution, despite having robust waste management infrastructure to collect, transport, and process waste. The US generates about 287 pounds of plastics per person, with a total of 42 million metric tons of plastic waste produced in 2016—almost twice as much as China and more than the entire European Union combined. The US has contributed enormous amounts of plastic waste to the environment, including the ocean, through domestic litter, illegal dumping, and the export of plastic waste to countries with inadequate waste management systems.

The National Academy of Sciences report reveals the US role in the "deluge" of plastic polluting the world's oceans. The report estimates that between 1.13 million and 2.24 million metric tons of US plastic waste leak into the environment each year, with about 8 million metric tons of plastic ending up in the ocean annually. This trajectory could result in 53 million tons of plastic in the ocean by the end of the decade.

The American Chemistry Council, a trade association, opposes efforts to reduce plastic use, arguing that it is a valuable resource that should remain in the economy. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency are positioned to develop a national strategy to curb plastic waste. The EPA's "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution" focuses on eliminating plastic pollution in the environment, with plastics comprising 12.2 percent of MSW generation in 2018.

The US has been criticised for outsourcing its plastic waste problem to developing countries, with less than 10 percent of its plastic waste collected for recycling domestically in 2016. Up to half of this recycled plastic was shipped overseas, mostly to countries with ineffective waste management systems. This has led to concerns about the potential impacts of plastic pollution on wildlife and human health, as smaller and more widespread plastic particles contaminate all major ecosystems.

Plastic waste contaminates all major ecosystems

The United States is a major contributor to the global plastic pollution crisis, which is one of the most pressing environmental issues today. Plastic waste from the US contaminates ecosystems both domestically and in other countries that process recycling materials. In 2016, the US produced 42 million metric tons of plastic waste—almost twice as much as China and more than the entire EU combined.

The global production of plastic was 370 million tons in 2019, with only 9% recycled and 12% incinerated, leaving the majority in the environment or in landfills. Plastic waste enters ecosystems at an unprecedented rate due to the indiscriminate use, inadequate recycling, and landfill disposal of plastic products. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or non-existent. However, countries in the developed world, especially those with low recycling rates, also struggle to properly collect discarded plastics.

The US has been identified as the top contributor to ocean plastic pollution, with an estimated 1.13 to 2.24 million metric tons of plastic waste leaking into the environment annually. About 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year, and without intervention, this number could climb to 53 million by the end of the decade. The focus has shifted to curbing plastic waste through improved waste management, recycling, better product design, and reduced manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics.

US plastic waste is also exported to other countries

The United States is the top contributor to ocean plastic pollution, producing 42 million metric tons of plastic waste in 2016—almost twice as much as China and more than the entire European Union combined. The US generated about 287 pounds of plastics per person, with an estimated 1.13 to 2.24 million metric tons of plastic waste leaking into the environment each year.

The US has historically exported a significant portion of its plastic waste to other countries, particularly to those with poor waste management systems. In 2018, the US exported 1.07 million tons of plastic waste, with 78% sent to countries like China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These countries lack the infrastructure and regulations to effectively manage and recycle plastic waste sustainably. However, many of these countries, such as China, have implemented tighter restrictions on importing foreign plastic waste, resulting in a significant drop in US plastic waste exports to these countries.

As a result, the US has had to redirect its plastic waste exports to other countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. However, these countries are also becoming overwhelmed by the sheer volume of plastic waste they are receiving from developed nations worldwide. The US faces a growing challenge as more countries stop importing waste. Some US cities have implemented taxes or bans on single-use plastic bags, and corporations are also taking initiatives to reduce or eliminate plastic production.

The US's plastic waste exports contribute to environmental contamination in the receiving countries. The inadequate management of plastic waste during the recycling process in these countries further exacerbates the problem. It is estimated that the environmental impact of US plastic waste exports may be much higher than previously assessed when considering the domestic illegal dumping of plastic waste and the inadequate management of imported US plastic scrap in countries with poor waste management systems.

To address the plastic pollution crisis, the US should focus on curbing plastic waste through national strategies and encouraging the reduction of single-use plastics. Additionally, recycling companies should take responsibility for plastic waste management instead of displacing the problem to developing countries with less stringent regulations.

Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW)

The containers and packaging category had the highest plastic tonnage, exceeding 14.5 million tons in 2018. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, bottles, jars, and other containers. The recycling rate for these plastic containers is relatively low, with only 3 million tons recycled in 2018, equivalent to an 8.7% recycling rate.

The United States' contribution to plastic pollution is significant, with an estimated 42 million metric tons of plastic waste produced in 2016, almost twice as much as China and more than the entire European Union combined. The country's per-person plastic generation is about 287 pounds, and it is estimated that between 1.13 million and 2.24 million metric tons of U.S. plastic waste leak into the environment annually.

The impact of plastic waste extends beyond U.S. borders, as the country has been accused of outsourcing its plastic waste problem to developing countries. In 2016, less than 10% of plastic waste in the U.S. was collected for recycling, and up to half of this recycled plastic was shipped overseas, with 88% going to countries with ineffective waste management systems. This contributes to the contamination of ecosystems worldwide, affecting wildlife and human health.

The US has a robust waste management infrastructure but high levels of plastic waste end up in landfills

The United States has been described as a top contributor to the ocean plastic pollution crisis, with scientists calling for a national strategy to curb plastic waste. Despite having robust waste management infrastructure, the US has been found to contribute enormous amounts of plastic waste to the environment, including the ocean. The US generated 42 million metric tons of plastic waste in 2016, almost twice as much as China and more than the entire European Union combined. The country produces about 287 pounds of plastics per person.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a national recycling strategy, but critics have faulted it for not addressing current plastic production levels. The EPA's strategy focuses on actions to prevent plastic pollution, measuring the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling of plastic materials in municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, landfills received 27 million tons of plastic, comprising 18.5% of all MSW landfilled.

The US has also been criticized for outsourcing its plastic waste problem to developing countries. While the majority of US residents have access to waste and recycling collection, less than 10% of plastic waste was collected for recycling domestically in 2016, with up to half of this plastic shipped overseas, mostly to countries with ineffective waste management systems. This exported waste often ends up in landfills or is illegally dumped, contributing to environmental contamination.

The American Chemistry Council, a trade association, has opposed efforts to restrict plastic production, arguing that plastic is a valuable resource that should remain in the economy. However, the overreliance on recycling and exporting waste without addressing production levels has led to widespread plastic pollution. This pollution has contaminated all major ecosystems, with plastic debris documented in oceans, rivers, lakes, and other waterways, as well as the natural and built environments.

To effectively address the plastic pollution crisis, the US must go beyond waste management and focus on reducing plastic production and promoting sustainable alternatives. A comprehensive national strategy is needed to curb plastic waste generation and ensure proper management of waste within the country and in countries receiving US waste for recycling.

Frequently asked questions