Omar Khalid
Plastic recycling rates are changing over time, but not for the better. Despite increased awareness of the environmental impact of plastic, the rate of plastic recycling is declining. In 2018, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported a plastic recycling rate of 9%, but by 2021, this had dropped to under 5%. This is partly due to the US's decreased ability to offload plastic waste to other countries, with China previously inflating the US's recycling rate by taking on its waste. While some US states are pushing for legislation to ban single-use plastics and incentivize recycling, plastic production is still increasing, and the variety of plastic types makes it expensive and difficult to recycle effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recycling rate in 2018 | 8.7% |
| Plastic recycling rate in 2021 | 5% |
| Plastic recycling rate in China | 33% |
| Plastic recycling rate targeted by the oil and gas industry | 100% by 2040 |
| Plastic recycling rate required by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastic Economy Initiative | 30% |
| Plastic bottles recycling rate in 2017 | 21% |
| PET bottles and jars recycling rate in 2018 | 29.1% |
| HDPE natural bottles recycling rate in 2018 | 29.3% |
| Plastic production increase planned by the industry | 300% by 2050 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic production is increasing
The containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage, with over 14.5 million tons in 2018. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, and other packaging. Plastic is also used in durable goods, such as appliances, furniture, and casings for batteries. The versatility of plastics has led to their dominance over previously used materials such as wood, metal, and glass.
The amount of plastic waste is staggering, with an estimated 1-2 million tons entering the oceans each year. Rich countries produce the most plastic waste per person, but the mismanagement of waste, which means it is not recycled, incinerated, or stored properly, is a more significant factor in plastic pollution. This mismanagement tends to be higher in low-to-middle-income countries.
While some types of plastic containers have higher recycling rates, such as PET bottles and jars at 29.1% in 2018, the overall recycling rate for plastics is relatively low at 8.7% in the same year. The crisis is worsening, with an ever-increasing variety of plastics and an industry focused on expanding production rather than reducing waste.
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Plastic recycling rates are decreasing
The decrease in recycling rates can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there has been an increase in plastic production, with the industry planning to triple plastic output by 2050. This surge in production has resulted in a higher volume of plastic waste, exacerbating the problem. Additionally, the US has faced challenges in offloading its plastic trash to other countries, particularly after China's ban on importing plastic waste in 2018. China previously boosted the US recycling rate significantly, but its absence has left a gap that has not been filled by other countries.
Another factor contributing to the decline in recycling rates is the complexity and cost of recycling plastic. There are now thousands of different types of plastic, each requiring specific recycling processes. Mechanical recycling, which involves grinding, melting, and reforming plastic, is time-intensive and expensive. It requires proper sorting and cleaning of materials, which can be challenging and costly, especially for rural areas that lack the necessary infrastructure.
The ineffectiveness of recycling programs has also contributed to the decrease in recycling rates. Despite public efforts to recycle, much of the plastic placed in recycling bins ends up in landfills. Greenpeace found that even plastic soda bottles, one of the most commonly recycled items, do not meet the threshold to be considered "recyclable." The recycling rates for plastic bottles are particularly low, with only 21% of collected bottles being turned into new products, according to the National Association for PET Container Resources.
To address the decreasing plastic recycling rates, experts emphasize the need for drastic cuts in plastic production, especially single-use plastics. They advocate for a shift towards reusable and refillable systems to reduce the demand for virgin polymers. Additionally, progressive policies and economic incentives are required to encourage recycling and develop the necessary infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Without significant changes, the plastic waste crisis will continue to worsen, posing a growing threat to the environment.
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Plastic waste management is challenging and expensive
The recycling rate for plastic is extremely low, with estimates for the US at about 5-9% in 2018, and China at about 6% in 2000, increasing to 9% by 2015. A more recent estimate suggests that the US recycling rate was under 5% in 2021. These low rates are due to the fact that plastic is expensive to collect and sort, and there is a shortage of the costly infrastructure required for recycling. Furthermore, there are now thousands of different types of plastic, and none of them can be melted down together.
The problem of low recycling rates is compounded by the fact that plastic waste is often mishandled. For example, about a quarter of China's plastic waste is not properly buried or disposed of, leading to environmental risks such as seeping into the ground and flowing through waterways. In the US, more than 91% of plastics generated in 2018 were put in landfills or incinerated for energy. The situation is even worse when considering that the US previously exported a large amount of its plastic waste to China, and since China's ban on importing plastic waste, the US has struggled to find other countries to offload its plastic trash to.
To improve plastic waste management, drastic cuts in plastic production are necessary, especially for single-use plastics. Additionally, progressive policies and economic incentives are required to encourage recycling and the development of sustainable alternatives to problematic plastics such as PVC.
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Plastic recycling infrastructure is lacking
Plastic recycling rates are low and worsening over time. In 2018, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported an 8.7% recycling rate, with 27 million tons of plastic sent to landfills and 5.6 million tons combusted. However, a 2022 report by Last Beach Cleanup and Beyond Plastics indicated that the 2021 recycling rate was under 5%. This decline is partly due to the US's reduced ability to export plastic waste to other countries. China previously boosted the US recycling rate to 9% by 2015, but its recent ban on waste imports has left a gap in waste management.
The process of mechanical recycling, which involves grinding, melting, and reforming plastic, is time-intensive and expensive. It requires proper sorting and cleaning of materials, which can be challenging due to the thousands of different types of plastic that cannot be melted down together. The variety of plastic resins and the need for specialized recycling processes for each type contribute to the complexity and cost of recycling.
The plastic recycling crisis is further exacerbated by the industry's plans to increase plastic production. Lisa Ramsden of Greenpeace USA warns that without drastic change, the crisis will worsen as the industry aims to triple plastic production by 2050. Environmentalists and lawmakers are pushing for legislation to ban single-use plastics and promote systems of reuse and refill. However, these efforts face steep resistance from the plastic and oil industry lobbyists.
To address the lack of plastic recycling infrastructure, economic incentives and progressive policies are needed to encourage investment in building the necessary facilities. Additionally, there is a growing consensus that reducing plastic production, especially single-use plastics, is crucial to combating the plastic pollution crisis. Manufacturers are also encouraged to use less plastic in their products and replace "unnecessary and problematic" plastics with more sustainable alternatives, such as PHA, which degrades into non-toxic components.
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Plastic alternatives are being explored
One alternative to disposable plastic is reusable and refillable packaging, which can be sourced from local markets, farm shops, independent zero-waste shops, and some supermarkets. Plant-based plastics, or bioplastics, are also being explored as a greener alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics, especially for food packaging. However, it is important to consider not only carbon emissions but also end-of-life impacts, resource extraction, water and land use, and the release of hazardous chemicals when evaluating plastic alternatives.
Several companies are developing sustainable alternatives to plastic that are equal in strength and flexibility but safer for the environment and human health. Biodegradable algae-based packaging is one promising alternative, with companies like B'zeos and Notpla creating edible and biodegradable products such as condiment packets, cutlery, and plastic wrap. Another bio-based and biodegradable plastic alternative is PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), which is produced by microorganisms through bacterial fermentation and can be composted at home. Silicone, made from silica stone, water, and natural gas-derived methanol, is another option that is strong, flexible, and does not leach toxic residues or microplastics.
Innovations in sustainable packaging include a spray-on protective coating made from plant cellulose that is designed to be rinsed off with water and degrade in soil within 3 days, eliminating the need for plastic packaging for fruits, vegetables, and meat. Natural fibers such as coconut fiber, hemp, husk, and cotton burs are also being explored as alternative packaging and shipping materials. While these alternatives show promise, it is important to note that scaling up production and optimizing costs are challenges that need to be addressed.
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Frequently asked questions
The current rate of plastic recycling is dismal. In the US, only about 5% to 6% of plastics are recycled each year. In 2018, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported a rate of 8.7%, but this was inflated due to China's ban on receiving plastic waste from the US.
The rate of plastic recycling has decreased over time. In 2000, the US recycling rate was about 6%, increasing to 9% by 2015 due to China's waste trade. However, since China's ban on receiving plastic waste, the US rate has dropped further.
The low recycling rate is due to a combination of factors, including the high cost of collecting and sorting plastic waste, the lack of infrastructure in rural areas, and the resistance from the plastic and oil industry lobbyists.
Low plastic recycling rates contribute to plastic pollution, with plastic waste ending up in landfills, seeping into the ground, and flowing through waterways. This has led to growing public awareness and calls for drastic cuts in plastic production.
Environmentalists and lawmakers are pushing for legislation to ban single-use plastics and incentivize recycling. Some manufacturers are also reducing plastic usage, and research is focused on developing sustainable alternatives, such as PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), which degrades into non-toxic components.
