Ethan Clarke
Plastic pollution is a contributor to climate change. As 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels, the production of plastic is closely linked to the petrochemical industry. The burning and refining of fossil fuels in the plastic production process creates greenhouse gases that trap carbon pollution in our atmosphere, contributing to climate change. While plastic is not the leading cause of carbon pollution, it is still a significant contributor, and the problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastic is not effectively recycled, with only 9% of plastic being successfully recycled globally. As plastic breaks down into microplastics, these microplastics end up in our oceans, rivers, ecosystems, water supplies, and even our stomachs, further contributing to the impact of plastic on climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic recycled globally | 9% |
| Percentage of plastic recycled in the US | 4% |
| Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by using recycled plastic | 42% |
| Percentage of plastic successfully recycled almost 30% of the time | 30% |
| Amount of plastic waste every year | 400 million tons |
| Amount of carbon pollution caused by plastic annually | 3% |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted per year in the US while extracting and transporting natural gas to create feedstocks for plastics | 12.5-13.5 million metric tons |
| Amount of land cleared for oil and gas development in the US | 19.2 million acres |
| Amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of clearing | 1.686 billion metric tons |
| Amount of carbon emissions produced by all the airplanes flying around the world | 3% |
| Amount of carbon emissions that come from powering buildings | 17.5% |
| Amount of carbon emissions that come from energy used to power transport | 16% |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic production and fossil fuels
The production of plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon pollution into the atmosphere. This pollution acts like a blanket, trapping heat and causing the Earth to overheat. While plastic production is not the leading cause of carbon pollution, it still contributes significantly. In 2015, the global emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases from plastic production reached 1.96 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent, costing $341 billion annually.
The impact of plastic on climate change is not limited to its production but extends to its entire lifecycle, including use, recycling, and disposal. For example, as plastic breaks down in the environment, it releases greenhouse gases, and microplastics ingested by plankton may reduce the ocean's ability to sequester carbon dioxide. Recycling can help mitigate the impact of plastic on climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 42% compared to creating new plastic. However, only 9% of plastic is successfully recycled globally, and it can usually only be recycled once or twice before becoming waste.
The connection between plastic and fossil fuels is evident, and addressing the plastic crisis is crucial in the fight against climate change. Plastic production is expected to increase in the coming years, threatening the global community's ability to keep the temperature rise below 1.5°C. Therefore, it is essential to reduce plastic production, eliminate toxic chemicals in its production, prohibit problematic plastics, and increase recycling and reuse practices to mitigate the climate impact of plastic.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
Plastic pollution is linked to climate change. As 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuel feedstocks, the extraction, refining, and manufacture of plastics are all carbon-intensive activities. The production of plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases that trap carbon pollution in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
A 2021 analysis by Beyond Plastics predicted that by 2030, the US plastics industry would be a bigger contributor to climate change than coal-fired power. The production of plastic has increased significantly over the years, growing from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 460 million metric tons in 2019. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that global plastic use will triple by 2060.
The creation of plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the CIEL report, 12.5 to 13.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent are emitted per year while extracting and transporting natural gas to create feedstocks for plastics in the United States. Land disturbance also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions associated with extraction. It is estimated that about 1.686 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere due to the clearing of land for oil and gas development in the United States.
Plastics continue to generate heat-trapping gases at every stage of their life cycle, including during their breakdown in the environment. Low-density polyethylene, a common type of plastic found in the ocean, releases greenhouse gases as it degrades. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles, are ingested by plankton and end up in the air, water, ecosystems, and even our food supplies. Landfills, where most plastics end up, account for around 15% of methane emissions, a significant contributor to greenhouse gases.
Recycling plastic can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recycled plastic reduces emissions by about 42% compared to creating plastic with new materials. However, only 9% of plastic is successfully recycled globally, and it can usually only be recycled once or twice before becoming waste. While recycling is beneficial, reducing and reusing plastic materials are the best options for mitigating climate change.
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Recycling plastic
Plastic production and incineration contribute to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases at every stage of their life cycle. Recycling plastic can help mitigate this problem by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 42% compared to creating plastic with new materials. However, only 9% of plastic is successfully recycled globally, including just 4% in the United States. This is partly due to the fact that plastic degrades during the recycling process and can usually only be recycled once or twice before becoming waste. Additionally, recycled plastics are costly with low commercial value, making recycling rarely profitable without government subsidies.
Despite these challenges, recycling certain types of plastic can still have a positive impact on the environment. Plastic bottles with the number 1 or 2 inside the recycling symbol are successfully recycled almost 30% of the time. While reducing and reusing plastic materials are the best options for the planet, recycling these types of plastic can help a bit. Other materials, such as aluminum and glass, can be recycled much more effectively than plastic.
To improve the effectiveness of plastic recycling, a circular economy approach can be adopted. This approach optimizes products for reuse, creating 'renewable resources' and minimizing the need for both the final disposal of waste and the extraction of new materials. For example, India is transitioning to biodegradable and environmentally friendly earthen cups at railway stations instead of plastic ones. Additionally, spider silk film and seaweed can replace plastic in single-use sachets, which make up a significant portion of household plastic waste.
Innovative collaborations are also contributing to the solution. For instance, Parley for the Oceans and Adidas are incorporating upcycled marine plastics into their global athletic wear supply chain. These initiatives demonstrate that groundbreaking solutions for marine plastics and climate change exist and can be scaled up. By implementing circular economy principles and fostering innovative partnerships, we can reduce the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and its contribution to climate change.
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Plastic pollution and climate change
Plastic pollution is a significant contributor to climate change. The production of plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases that trap carbon pollution in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. This process contributes about 3% of the world's carbon pollution annually, similar to the amount produced by the aviation industry. However, it is important to note that electricity generation and global transportation are much larger contributors to carbon pollution.
The impacts of plastic pollution on climate change extend beyond the direct emissions from production. Plastic does not decompose quickly and can take over 1,000 years to break down into smaller pieces, known as microplastics. These microplastics end up in rivers, oceans, ecosystems, and even our water supplies and food sources. As plastic breaks down, it continues to release greenhouse gases, further contributing to climate change. Additionally, the disposal of plastic waste in landfills contributes to methane emissions, another potent greenhouse gas.
The extraction of fossil fuels for plastic production also has environmental consequences. Land disturbance and the clearing of land for oil and gas development contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the refining and manufacturing of plastics are carbon-intensive processes, emitting significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Recycling plastic can help mitigate climate change by reducing the need for new plastic production, but it is not a complete solution as only certain types of plastic can be recycled, and even then, only a small percentage is successfully recycled.
To address the impact of plastic pollution on climate change, it is crucial to reduce plastic consumption, particularly single-use plastics and unnecessary plastic packaging. Recycling and reusing plastic materials are important, but they are not sufficient on their own. Policy interventions are necessary to reduce plastic production, eliminate toxic chemicals, prohibit problematic plastics, and promote transparency in the plastic industry. By addressing plastic pollution through individual actions and systemic changes, we can help mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect the planet for future generations.
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Impact on human health
Plastic is derived from fossil fuels, including natural gas and crude oil, and contains chemicals that are known endocrine disruptors, threatening human health. Plastic does not decompose; instead, it breaks up into smaller pieces called microplastics, which are now found practically everywhere on Earth. Research has found microplastics in human livers, kidneys, and placentas. Human exposure to plastics with these endocrine-disrupting chemicals may cause hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and even cancer.
The incineration of plastic waste releases significant greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants into the atmosphere. Incineration facilities are disproportionately built near communities of color and low-income populations. The World Energy Council projects that if plastics production and incineration increase as expected, greenhouse gas emissions will increase to 49 million metric tons by 2030 and 91 million metric tons by 2050.
The plastic industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimated that in 2019, plastic products were responsible for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions throughout their life cycles, with 90% of these emissions coming from the production and conversion of fossil fuels into new plastic products.
The global economy's continued reliance on fossil fuels and the increasing production of plastics create a vicious cycle where climate change drives the demand for plastic, and plastic production exacerbates climate change. For example, rising temperatures increase the need for electrical appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and fans, all of which heavily rely on plastic components.
To reduce the impact of plastics on climate change and human health, individuals can make small changes such as using reusable water bottles, bags, and cutlery, avoiding overly packaged items, repurposing old containers, and supporting legislation and companies that aim to reduce plastic use.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic contributes to climate change. As plastic is derived from burning and refining fossil fuels, the production of plastic creates greenhouse gases that trap carbon pollution in our atmosphere, ultimately contributing to climate change.
Plastic contributes to climate change at every stage of its life cycle, from the extraction of fossil fuels to production, manufacturing, use, recycling, and disposal. For example, the extraction and transportation of natural gas to create feedstocks for plastics in the United States emit an estimated 12.5 to 13.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
Reducing plastic consumption, reusing plastic materials, and recycling plastic can all help to reduce the impact of plastic on climate change. While recycling plastic does help, it is important to note that only 9% of plastic is successfully recycled globally, and plastic can usually only be recycled once or twice before it becomes waste. Therefore, reducing plastic consumption and reusing plastic materials are more effective strategies than recycling.
