Kiera Jefferson
The world is currently facing a mounting plastic pollution crisis, driven by our reliance on low-cost and versatile plastics. Plastic production has skyrocketed in recent decades, and the problem keeps growing. More than 99% of plastics are produced from chemicals derived from oil, natural gas and coal — all of which are dirty, non-renewable resources. As such, the fossil fuel industry is poised to invest billions in expanding plastics production – which is made from fossil fuels – to continue squeezing profit from its reserves of oil and gas. This expansion of petrochemical projects is why the climate crisis and the plastics pollution crisis are closely connected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic made from oil and gas | 98% of single-use plastic, 99% overall |
| Percentage of plastic recycled | Less than 10% |
| Plastic waste in the ocean | 8 million tonnes per year |
| Plastic waste in the environment | 22% of all plastic waste |
| Plastic waste in human bodies | Found in lungs, livers, spleens and kidneys |
| Plastic production since 2002 | More than half of all plastic now on Earth |
| Plastic pollution by 2030 | Expected to double |
| Plastic production by 2050 | Expected to double |
| Oil demand for plastic production by 2050 | Expected to account for 20% of world's oil consumption |
| Fossil fuel industry investment in plastic production | Billions |
| Fossil fuel industry motivation | Profit from reserves of oil and gas |
| Fossil fuel industry opposition to regulation | Lobbying, misinformation, political influence |
| Fossil fuel industry deception | Misled public about recycling |
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What You'll Learn
Oil and gas companies profit from plastic pollution
Oil and gas companies have been accused of profiting from plastic pollution and contributing to the climate crisis. As the world transitions to renewable energy sources, the demand for fossil fuels in the energy sector is declining. However, oil and gas companies are increasingly relying on the plastic industry to sustain their business models and future growth.
Plastics are made from oil and gas, with more than 98% of single-use plastics derived from petrochemicals. As the use of oil in road transport and electricity generation decreases, the booming production of plastics is keeping the demand for oil high. Oil and gas companies have invested billions in expanding their plastic production infrastructure, ensuring a continued market for their raw materials. This expansion of petrochemical projects is driving the close connection between the climate crisis and the plastics pollution crisis.
While governments are taking steps to reduce plastic pollution, they face significant opposition from oil and gas giants. These companies lobby against plastics regulation and work to derail ambitious global treaties aimed at ending plastic pollution. They shift responsibility for plastic pollution onto consumers or governments in the Global South, who are least equipped to manage it. The business model of the plastics industry externalizes the costs of pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions, water depletion, and ocean impacts, onto society.
Some experts argue that the proliferation of plastics is not driven by consumer demand but by the need of oil and gas companies to create new markets for their by-products. As more countries turn away from single-use plastics, the gamble of oil and gas companies on plastic demand may not pay off. However, their investments in plastic production infrastructure lock in future plastic pollution, ensuring continued profits at the expense of the environment and public health.
The close connection between the oil and gas industry and plastic pollution has been kept under wraps for decades. With growing awareness and legislation targeting plastic pollution, there is a push for companies to take accountability for the waste they create and internalize the costs of pollution. However, this battle pits governments and activists against some of the most powerful corporate interests in the world, including oil majors, chemical giants, and consumer giants that rely on plastic packaging.
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The connection between fossil fuels and plastic
The process of extracting and refining fossil fuels, such as crude oil and natural gas, is integral to the production of plastics. Through industrial processes, these fossil fuels are transformed into the building blocks of polymers, which are then used to create various plastic products. This transformation involves exposing the extracted oil and gas to high temperatures and pressure, resulting in the creation of plastics with unique properties.
The fossil fuel industry has recognized the growing global demand for plastics and is investing heavily in expanding plastic production. As the world transitions towards renewable energy sources, the fossil fuel industry is facing declining demand for its traditional energy offerings. However, by increasing plastic production, they aim to maintain their profit margins and find a new market for their reserves of oil and gas. This strategy is often referred to as the fossil fuel industry's "Plan B."
The production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of plastics are all linked to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Plastics emit greenhouse gases throughout their life cycle, from the extraction of fossil fuels to the disposal of plastic waste. Additionally, plastic waste pollutes the environment, including oceans, rivers, and land, causing harm to marine life and other living creatures. Microplastics have also been found in our food, water, and even our bodies, posing potential health risks.
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Plastic's negative impact on the environment
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to the environment and human health. The majority of plastics are derived from oil and gas, with more than 99% of plastics made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. This link between oil and plastic pollution is evident in several ways. Firstly, the extraction and transport of fossil fuels, along with the manufacturing and disposal of plastics, contribute to carbon emissions, leading to global warming and climate change. The increasing demand for plastic production keeps the demand for oil high, even as other sectors transition to renewable energy sources.
Secondly, plastic pollution has a detrimental impact on biodiversity. It affects various ecosystems, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs, and has been found in the stomachs of marine animals, leading to their deaths. Plastic waste in rivers, oceans, and on land can persist in the environment for centuries, with an estimated decomposition time of 100 to 1,000 years or more. This waste fragments into microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, and further into nanoplastics, which are smaller than one micrometer. These microplastics have been detected in human organs, including the liver, kidneys, and spleen, and can lead to health issues such as hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and even cancer.
Additionally, plastic pollution contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with the production and conversion of fossil fuels into new plastic products being a significant source. The plastic lifecycle, from extraction to disposal, negatively impacts the environment and human health. Vulnerable groups, including children, women, and marginalized communities, are particularly at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and pollutants found in plastics.
The plastic crisis is driven by the low cost and versatility of plastics, with single-use plastics being a prime culprit. Despite governments taking steps to reduce plastic pollution and regulate the industry, they face opposition from powerful oil and chemical giants that profit from plastic production. However, public awareness and advocacy for greener alternatives are increasing, and efforts are being made to transition away from single-use plastics and towards a more sustainable future.
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The role of governments in reducing plastic pollution
The private profit and public harm of the oil industry are well understood. Oil is refined and distributed to consumers, who benefit from its short, useful lifespan, leaving behind atmospheric pollution for generations. This same pattern is playing out with plastic. Oil and gas giants rely on the demand for their raw materials for plastic production, and they have billions invested in petrochemical projects.
However, as governments move to regulate plastics, they face opposition from these powerful corporations. The role of governments in reducing plastic pollution is critical. Here are some ways governments are taking action:
Policy and Legislation
Many governments are introducing policies and legislation to ban or reduce single-use plastics. For example, more than 32 countries have banned or are in the process of banning single-use plastics. In 2020, the US introduced the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, which aims to ban many single-use plastics and force corporations to finance "end-of-life" programs. In 2021, Costa Rica banned the importation and distribution of polystyrene, and Maine became the first US state to ban food containers made of polystyrene. The EU has also announced a strategy to ban single-use plastics and create a circular economy.
International Cooperation
In 2022, the 193 United Nations Member States agreed to develop an international legally binding agreement by 2024 to end plastic pollution, tackling the full life cycle of plastics. An Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to end Plastic Pollution was established to develop this agreement.
National Strategies
Some countries are developing national strategies to prevent plastic pollution. For example, the US EPA published a draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution in 2023 and received almost 92,000 comment letters. The US Congress also passed the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act in 2020, directing the EPA to create a national strategy on plastic pollution.
Public Awareness and Education
Governments can also play a role in raising public awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution and promoting alternatives. For example, the ActNow campaign aims to educate people about how they can contribute to a cleaner, healthier world.
While governments are taking steps to reduce plastic pollution, they face challenges, including opposition from the fossil fuel industry and the need for more research and regulation in the production phase of plastics. However, with continued efforts and international cooperation, there is hope for significant progress in tackling this global issue.
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The ineffectiveness of recycling plastic
Plastic pollution is largely driven by the world's reliance on low-cost, versatile plastics, which are made from oil and gas. The private profit and public harm of the oil industry are well understood, but the same tragedy is playing out with plastic. The demand for oil is declining in sectors such as road transport and electricity generation, but the booming production of plastics is keeping the demand for oil high.
The connection between oil and plastic pollution is clear, but what about the role of recycling? Recycling plastic can decrease energy and material usage per unit of output and yield improved eco-efficiency. However, the current rate of plastic recycling is extremely low. Out of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated globally to date, less than 10% has been recycled. Current data suggests that only 15% of plastics are recovered, with just 9% of that being recycled. This is due to a variety of factors, including the fact that plastic packaging often contains a wide variety of polymers and other materials such as metals, paper, pigments, inks, and adhesives, which makes recycling difficult.
Additionally, the oil and gas industry has been accused of misleading the public by touting recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it would never work on a large scale. For example, landfill workers in southern Oregon bury all plastic except for soda bottles and milk jugs. The promise of recycling has been used to sell more plastic, and companies that profit from plastics must be forced to take accountability for the waste they create.
Furthermore, even when plastic is recycled, it often ends up being burned, which returns plastic to its origins as a fossil fuel and creates carbon pollution. While incineration can neutralize most toxic compounds in plastic, it also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollution.
Overall, while recycling plastic can have some benefits, it is currently not a effective solution to the plastic pollution crisis due to low rates of recycling, the challenges of recycling certain types of plastic, and the environmental impact of the recycling process itself. To truly address plastic pollution, it is necessary to reduce plastic consumption and transition away from fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
Oil distribution is directly linked to plastic pollution as the vast majority of plastics are made from oil and gas. More than 99% of plastics are made from chemicals derived from oil, natural gas, and coal. The process of extracting, transporting, refining, manufacturing, and disposing of plastic creates carbon emissions and contributes to global warming and climate change.
Plastics are designed to be durable and resistant to degradation, which makes them challenging for nature to break down. As a result, plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries, polluting oceans, rivers, and land. Microplastics can also enter our bodies through food, water, and packaging.
Governments and organizations around the world are taking action to reduce plastic pollution. The United Nations Member States agreed to develop an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution by tackling its entire life cycle. Additionally, over 32 countries have banned or are in the process of banning single-use plastics. Legislation such as the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 aims to ban single-use plastics and hold companies accountable for the plastic waste they generate.
Individuals can make a difference by reducing their consumption of single-use plastics, reusing and recycling plastic items, and supporting alternatives to plastic products. Spreading awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution and advocating for stronger regulations can also help create a collective impact.
