Kiera Jefferson
Plastic pollution is a growing global crisis, with plastic production quadrupling in the last three decades. The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as it did two decades ago, and only a small fraction of this is recycled. Despite the fact that 75% of plastics produced are thermoplastics, which can be melted and remoulded, only 8.7% of plastic waste was recycled in 2018. A report by Greenpeace found that almost none of the plastic put into recycling bins is actually recycled, with the vast majority ending up in landfills. This is due to a number of factors, including the presence of food residue, the lack of recycling infrastructure, and the low recycling rates of certain types of plastic. To tackle the plastic pollution crisis, drastic cuts in plastic production and the development of environmentally friendly alternatives are necessary, alongside improvements in waste management and recycling technologies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic waste that is recycled | 8.7% in 2018, according to the US EPA; 9% according to an OECD report |
| Percentage of plastic bottles collected for recycling that were turned into new things | 21% in 2017, according to the National Association for PET Container Resources |
| Percentage of PET bottles recycled in Maine and Oregon | 80% |
| Percentage of PET bottles recycled in some US states in the South | Single digits |
| National average for PET bottle recycling in the US | 30% |
| Percentage of recycling facilities in the US that accept plastic cups and containers | 52% |
| Percentage of plastic cups and containers that are actually repurposed | Less than 5% |
| Percentage of plastic that is not recycled | 91% |
| Percentage of plastic waste generated in OECD countries | 46% |
| Global production of plastics from recycled plastics in 2019 | 29.1 million tonnes |
| Global production of plastics from recycled plastics as a percentage of total plastics production | 6% |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling capacity
The recycling capacity for plastics is currently insufficient to manage the volume and variety of plastic waste generated. Recycling rates vary depending on the type of plastic and geographic location, with certain plastics being more readily recycled than others.
In the United States, the recycling rate for plastics was approximately 8.7% in 2018, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means that out of the 35.7 million tons of plastics generated in the US that year, only about three million tons were recycled. The recycling rates for specific types of plastic containers, such as PET bottles and jars, and HDPE natural bottles, were slightly higher at around 29%. However, even with these relatively higher recycling rates, a significant portion of these plastics still end up in landfills.
The recycling capacity for plastics is influenced by various factors, including the material properties of plastics, the availability of recycling infrastructure, and the effectiveness of waste management systems. For example, a Greenpeace report revealed that despite people's efforts to recycle plastic by placing it in recycling bins, almost none of it is actually being recycled, with most plastic ending up in landfills. This is partly due to the fact that only good quality, clean plastics can be recycled, and food or oil residue often renders plastic unfit for the recycling process.
Additionally, the success of recycling programs varies across different states and regions. For instance, in Maine and Oregon, where there has been investment in recycling programs, up to 80% of PET bottles are recycled. In contrast, some states in the South have recycling rates in the single digits. Similarly, in Tanzania, a community-based waste management and recycling system called Nipe Fagio has successfully reduced landfill waste by 75% to 80% in several cities.
Overall, the recycling capacity for plastics is limited and unable to keep up with the increasing volume of plastic waste being generated globally. While recycling is an important part of the solution, it is not sufficient on its own, and more immediate and drastic measures are needed to address the plastic pollution crisis. This includes reducing plastic production, improving waste management, developing environmentally friendly alternatives, and promoting reuse and refill systems.
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Plastic production
Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). The production of plastic has been increasing at an alarming rate. In the last two decades, global plastic production has doubled. The world currently produces around 300-350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, and this number is expected to grow. Since the 1950s, the rate of plastic production has grown faster than that of any other material.
The containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage, with over 14.5 million tons in 2018 in the US alone. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, bottles, jars, and other containers. Plastic resins are also used in a variety of container and packaging products, such as beverage bottles, milk and water bottles, and plastic bags, sacks, wraps, and lids.
More than 99% of plastics are produced from chemicals derived from oil, natural gas, and coal, which are all dirty, non-renewable resources. If current trends continue, the plastic industry could account for 20% of the world's total oil consumption by 2050. This shift towards single-use plastics and away from durable plastics is a worrying trend.
The profitability and low cost of plastic production are major contributors to the plastic pollution crisis. To address this crisis, there have been calls for drastic cuts in plastic production, especially single-use plastics. Simplifying and standardizing the plastic production process could also help improve recycling rates.
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Waste management
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with an overwhelming rise in the production of disposable plastic products. The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as it did two decades ago, and only a small fraction of this is recycled. According to a Greenpeace report, plastic often ends up in landfills, despite people's efforts to recycle it. The report also found that no plastic meets the threshold to be called "recyclable" according to standards set by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastic Economy Initiative.
The recycling rate for plastic bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, and 29.3% for HDPE natural bottles in the same year. While these rates are significant, the overall amount of recycled plastics is relatively small, with an 8.7% recycling rate in 2018 in the US. Globally, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, with 15% collected for recycling, and 40% of that disposed of as residues.
The management of plastic waste is critical to tackling plastic pollution. When plastic waste is not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills, it becomes an environmental pollutant. Mismanaged waste is at risk of leaking into the environment and is more likely to end up in oceans. Most of the plastic in the oceans comes from middle-income countries, particularly in Asia.
To improve waste management, richer countries can contribute through foreign investments in waste management infrastructure in low-to-middle-income countries. Policies such as bans and taxes on single-use plastics can also help reduce plastic pollution, although these are not currently sufficient to curb overall pollution. The OECD report calls for greater use of instruments such as Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for packaging and durables, landfill taxes, deposit-refund and Pay-as-You-Throw systems.
The real solution, according to Lisa Ramsden, senior plastic campaigner for Greenpeace USA, is to switch to systems of reuse and refill.
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Plastic pollution's impact
Plastic pollution has a significant impact on the environment, ecosystems, and human health. It is a pressing issue that affects natural and built environments, and its impact is felt across land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
One of the most concerning aspects of plastic pollution is its persistence in the environment. Plastic can take anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. During this time, plastic pollution can fragment into smaller pieces, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, which are found in every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. These microplastics have even been detected in human organs, including the liver, kidneys, and placenta. The presence of microplastics in human bodies raises concerns about potential health risks, as the chemicals from plastic products can leach into tap water, potentially causing various disorders.
The impact of plastic pollution on ecosystems is profound. It poses a significant threat to marine life, with over 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments known to ingest plastics. Wildlife, including birds, whales, fish, and turtles, mistake plastic waste for food, leading to starvation, internal injuries, and reduced ability to swim or fly. Plastic pollution also contributes to biodiversity loss, as it transports invasive alien species, and leads to ecosystem degradation.
Additionally, plastic pollution has climate impacts. The production of plastics contributes to climate change, as the refining of oil and gas releases greenhouse gases and pollutants such as carbon dioxide, dioxins, and methane. Incinerated plastic waste further exacerbates this issue by releasing additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Furthermore, plastic pollution affects the soil by leaching carcinogenic chemicals, which can then run into groundwater or rivers, impacting both ecosystems and human health.
The issue of plastic pollution is not limited to environmental concerns. It also has social and economic implications, particularly for local communities, islands, developing countries, Indigenous peoples, women, and children, who often bear the brunt of inadequate waste management systems.
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Plastic recycling solutions
Plastic pollution is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). While recycling plastic is challenging, some organizations are taking innovative approaches to tackle this issue.
One such organization is TerraCycle, a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle materials. They offer free and paid recycling solutions for almost every form of waste, including river waste prevention, collection, and recycling solutions for heavily polluted waterways. They also help organizations of all sizes recycle, integrate recycled content into products, and shift to reusables. Additionally, they work with brands to create custom supply chains to collect and process unique recycled materials, leveraging the story of these materials for marketing and sales purposes.
Precious Plastic is another initiative that empowers people around the planet to start their own local recycling spaces to tackle the plastic waste problem.
Revolution, a company focused on sustainable loop plastic solutions, takes a unique, circular approach to plastics. They create the highest quality products and then collect and recycle them to sustain a continuous cycle of sustainability. They also partner with global brands to incorporate recycled content into their products.
Some U.S. states, such as Oregon and Michigan, have implemented successful recycling rates for plastic bottles through legislation. However, these efforts are often met with resistance from the plastic and oil industry lobbyists.
Despite these challenges, organizations and individuals are actively working towards reducing plastic pollution and increasing recycling rates, contributing to a greener future.
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Frequently asked questions
Only 8.7% of plastic was recycled in the US in 2018, with 27 million tons sent to landfills. On a global scale, it is estimated that only 9% of plastic is successfully recycled.
Plastic recycling capacity is currently unable to handle the amount and types of plastic we are discarding. The production of plastic has increased, and a smaller percentage of it is being recycled.
Solutions such as reuse and refill systems are recommended to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. Bans and taxes on single-use plastics exist in over 120 countries, and extended producer responsibility schemes, landfill taxes, and deposit-refund systems are also suggested.
Plastic with food or oil residues usually cannot be recycled, and only good quality, clean plastics are suitable for the recycling process. Additionally, 25% of plastics are thermoset plastics, which are challenging to recycle as they do not soften when exposed to heat.
Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly, with OECD countries accounting for 14% of overall plastic leakage. However, there is hope in new technologies, such as the discovery of the Ideonella sakaiensis microbe that can break down plastic.
