The Devastating Impact: Annual Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelming the world's ability to deal with them. The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with an estimated 1 to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans annually. This plastic pollution has severe consequences for marine life, with millions of animals killed each year through entanglement, ingestion, and other interactions. It also has the potential to impact human health, with microplastics found in the blood, lungs, and even faeces of humans. The majority of plastic is never recycled, with only 8.7% of all plastic waste recycled in the US in 2018. This highlights the critical need for improved waste management strategies and a reduction in the use of disposable plastics to address the pervasive issue of plastic pollution.

Plastic waste in landfills

The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with around half of this going straight to landfill. The amount of plastic waste in landfills is still climbing, with only 12% of all plastic ever having been incinerated. Plastic takes 400 years to degrade, so the plastic that has been sent to landfill over the years is still there, and will be for centuries to come.

Landfills are designed to prevent any exchange with the surrounding environment, but there is no established method of determining whether the plastic degrades, biodegrades, or is recalcitrant. This uncertainty is a major concern, as degradation or biodegradation may have potential negative effects, such as the destabilization of the structural stability of the landfill.

The ultimate fate of plastic in landfills is, therefore, a critical issue. Landfills constitute the major repository of LDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, and PET (48-60%), and store up to 42% of worldwide plastic waste. They are also a critical source of microplastic pollution, with 75 plastic degradation species and 31 enzymes discovered in landfill leachate samples.

Microplastics are ingested by numerous species, harming their metabolic rate and growth. They are released into the environment from primary sources, such as cosmetic and cleansing products, and from secondary sources, through the fragmentation of nano-, meso- and macroplastics. Emissions from wastewater treatment plants are considered to be one of the main sources of microplastics released into the environment.

Plastic in oceans

The world's oceans are inundated with plastic pollution, from the Arctic ice sheets to the seafloor, and the deepest trenches in the sea to the most remote coastlines. The plastic crisis in our oceans is a pressing global issue that demands urgent attention and collective action.

Every year, an estimated 1 to 2 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans, contributing to the growing plastic pollution crisis. This amounts to approximately five grocery bags filled with plastic for every foot of coastline on the planet. The sources of plastic pollution are diverse, with rivers being the primary conduits that carry plastic from land to sea. During storms and heavy rain events, plastic emissions can surge tenfold as trash is swept into waterways. While not all plastic in rivers reaches the ocean, coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution.

The consequences of plastic pollution in the oceans are dire for marine life and ecosystems. Thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals fall victim to plastic ingestion or entanglement annually. Microplastics, particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in width, are a significant concern as they can be mistaken for fish eggs or plankton and ingested by marine organisms. These microscopic plastic fragments accumulate in the guts of marine creatures, disrupting their metabolic rates and growth. Even large whales have been found with bellies full of plastic, illustrating the pervasive nature of this crisis.

The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond marine life to human health and economies. Plastic waste can contaminate seafood consumed by humans, potentially leading to unknown health consequences. Additionally, the presence of plastic pollution in marine environments poses challenges to the fishing and tourism industries, resulting in substantial cleanup costs for coastal communities.

To address the plastic crisis in our oceans, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Improving waste management strategies and reducing plastic consumption are crucial steps. While recycling is important, it is not a panacea, as evidenced by the fact that only 8.7% to 9% of plastic waste was recycled in the US in 2018. To truly tackle the problem, a systemic change is required, with governments and businesses taking the lead in implementing large-scale solutions.

Plastic straws and bags

Plastic straws, typically made from polypropylene or polystyrene, are designed as single-use items, discarded after mere minutes of use. Due to their lightweight nature, they easily become litter, clogging gutters and polluting waterways, streets, parks, and oceans. They persist in the environment for hundreds to thousands of years, breaking down into microplastics that release harmful chemicals and enter the food chain, potentially impacting human health.

The issue of plastic straw pollution has gained widespread attention, with countries and states implementing bans or restrictions. Alternatives to plastic straws, such as paper, metal, bamboo, or glass straws, are encouraged, and Skip the Straw or Straws Upon Request laws are promoted to reduce plastic waste. However, it is important to consider the needs of individuals with disabilities who may require straws.

Plastic bags, alongside straws, are significant sources of plastic pollution. They are often made from similar materials, such as polypropylene, and face bans or restrictions in various jurisdictions. The impact of plastic bags on the environment is significant, contributing to the overall plastic pollution crisis.

Overall, plastic straws and bags play a notable role in global plastic pollution. Their single-use nature, lightweight design, and persistence in the environment contribute to a growing crisis that threatens wildlife, ecosystems, and potentially human health. Addressing the pollution caused by these items requires a combination of legislative action, alternative product offerings, and consumer awareness.

Plastic recycling

The plastic recycling process typically involves mechanical recycling, where plastic is melted and reformed into new items. Another method is feedstock recycling, where plastic is converted into its starting chemicals, which can then be used to create fresh plastic. However, this process involves higher energy and capital costs. Additionally, plastic can be burned in place of fossil fuels in energy recovery facilities or converted into other useful chemicals for industrial applications.

The challenges associated with plastic recycling have been recognised since the early 1970s, but significant progress was not made until the late 1980s due to economic and technical hurdles. The plastics industry has been criticised for lobbying for the expansion of recycling programmes, even when research indicated that most plastic could not be economically recycled. Additionally, the low cost of producing new plastic compared to recycling makes it economically inefficient to recycle plastic.

Despite these challenges, there have been some improvements in plastic recycling. In 2022, over 5 billion pounds of plastic packaging was recycled in the United States, contributing to job creation, revenue generation, and a reduction in natural resource extraction and greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is important for individuals and businesses to follow recycling guidelines and avoid "wishcycling," which refers to placing non-recyclable items in recycling bins with the hope that they will be recycled.

To effectively tackle plastic pollution, a combination of improved waste management strategies and reduced plastic production is necessary. While reducing plastic production is important, improving waste management can have a more significant impact on addressing the issue of plastic pollution. This includes ensuring that plastic waste is adequately recycled, incinerated, or disposed of in sealed landfills to prevent leakage into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Plastic production

The growth in plastic production has been driven by the development of new plastic products, particularly after World War II. Plastic is a versatile material used in a wide range of applications, including transportation, medicine, appliances, furniture, packaging, and containers. The convenience and durability of plastic have led to a throw-away culture, with single-use plastics accounting for 40% of the plastic produced annually. These single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have a short lifespan but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

While rich countries produce the most plastic waste per person, the mismanagement of waste, such as through inadequate recycling or disposal systems, is a more critical factor in plastic pollution. This mismanagement is more prevalent in low-to-middle-income countries, leading to higher levels of plastic leakage into the environment and oceans. Improving waste management infrastructure and reducing the growth of virgin plastic production are crucial steps in addressing the global issue of plastic pollution.

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