Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, and it's cheap and profitable to produce. However, it is shocking how little of it is recycled. In the United States, only about 5% to 6% of plastics are recycled annually, and the situation is not much better in other parts of the world. 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 small. This is due to a variety of factors, including the high costs of sorting, collecting, processing, and transporting plastic waste, as well as the lack of infrastructure in rural areas. With plastic production continuing to increase, it is clear that more needs to be done to address this issue, including improving recycling strategies and reducing plastic production, especially single-use plastics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total plastic waste produced each year | 350-460 million tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean | 0.5% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is recycled | 5-10% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is incinerated | 12% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that ends up in landfills | 73-78% |
| Percentage of plastic that is not recyclable | 9-25% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is mismanaged | 20-25% |
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What You'll Learn
The US recycled 5% of plastic waste in 2021
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with an estimated 350 million tonnes of plastic waste produced globally each year. Of this, 1-2 million tonnes end up in our oceans, severely impacting wildlife and ecosystems. The United States, in particular, faces significant challenges in managing its plastic waste effectively.
In 2021, the US recycled only 5% of its plastic waste, according to a report by Greenpeace. This means that of the 51 million tons of plastic discarded by Americans that year, almost 95% ended up in landfills, oceans, or scattered in the atmosphere in the form of tiny toxic particles. The situation is dire, and even if every household diligently separated and disposed of plastic waste, the impact would be negligible without systemic change.
The low recycling rate in the US is not due to a lack of effort by consumers but rather the result of a "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable," as Judith Enck, the president of Beyond Plastics, stated. The ubiquitous three-arrow recycling symbol is misleading, as most municipalities only recycle certain types of plastics, leaving consumers confused. Furthermore, even plastics that reach recycling facilities may not be recycled due to contamination or other factors, with 30-36% of PET bottles wasted during the process.
The US has historically relied on exporting its plastic waste, with China being a major recipient. However, in 2018, China restricted foreign waste imports, exposing the shortcomings of the US recycling system. The US lacks the infrastructure and capacity to recycle all its plastic waste domestically, and the decline in exports has further exacerbated the issue.
To address plastic waste effectively, the US needs to reduce single-use plastic items and transition to systems of reuse and refill. Additionally, new laws are necessary to reduce plastic packaging and hold corporations accountable for their role in promoting plastic recycling as the sole solution to plastic waste.
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Plastic packaging is not recyclable
The world produces around 350 million tons of plastic waste each year, with only a small fraction of this being recycled. In fact, less than 10% of plastic waste globally has been recycled so far, with the vast majority being disposed of in non-environmentally friendly ways. This is due to a combination of economic, environmental, and technical factors. For instance, thin plastic bags can clog recycling machinery if not separated properly, and small quantities of plastics can make recycling unprofitable due to high costs and low efficiencies. Certain types of plastic, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags, are not accepted by many municipalities for recycling because they are cheap and low-quality, making their recycling financially unviable. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or plastic number 3, is another example of a plastic that is not recyclable in normal collections.
Plastic packaging, in particular, poses significant challenges when it comes to recycling. While some packaging materials are recyclable, they often require specific action for recycling that differs from typical household waste. For example, polypropylene (PP), a common plastic packaging material, is only recycled around 1-3% of the time in the US. Recycled PP usually ends up being black or grey, making it unsuitable for reuse in packaging. Instead, it is used for products like plastic lumber, park benches, and auto parts.
Another issue with plastic packaging is contamination by food and other substances, which can make the resin unsuitable for reuse. This is especially relevant for plastic packaging designed for food and beverages, as residues can be difficult to fully remove. Additionally, the durability of some plastics, such as thermosets, means they are disposed of less often but can contribute to microplastic water contamination when they break down.
To address the issue of non-recyclable plastic packaging, companies are exploring alternatives such as biodegradable packaging, reusable systems, and plastic-free shipping and supply chains. These innovations, driven by consumer demand for sustainable options and regulatory pressures, are helping to reduce the environmental impact of plastic packaging. However, it is important to note that recycling plastic packaging, when possible, offers specific benefits, such as conserving natural resources and energy.
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Plastic waste is exported to other countries
Plastic waste is a global issue, and the recycling rates are low across the world. In 2018, the United States recycled only 8.7% of its plastic waste, and this figure dropped to 5% in 2021. The US is not alone in its low recycling rates, and globally, only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled.
Rather than investing in domestic recycling infrastructure, many highly developed countries, including the US and those in Europe, choose to export their plastic waste to other nations, particularly less economically developed ones. This allows them to maintain a lower carbon footprint and portray themselves as progressing towards net-zero goals. However, the environmental and ethical consequences of this practice are significant.
Developing nations like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Turkey bear the brunt of this plastic waste trade. These countries often lack the infrastructure and resources to handle the influx of waste effectively, leading to ocean and country pollution. For instance, 5% of ocean plastic pollution comes from mismanaged waste exports, contributing to the approximately 8-11 million tons of plastic waste that enter the ocean each year.
In 2018, China banned most plastic waste imports, dramatically altering the market. While some countries reduced their plastic waste exports, others, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Turkey, became new dumping grounds. Despite some wealthy nations increasing their imports, the burden of managing plastic waste still falls disproportionately on developing nations.
To address this issue, the European Commission implemented a ban in 2023 on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries, unless their waste processes are proven to be environmentally friendly. This is a positive step towards accountability, but it won't be enforced until 2026, and in the meantime, the negative impact of plastic waste exports on the environment and communities in developing nations remains a pressing concern.
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Plastic recycling is time-intensive and expensive
Plastic recycling rates are extremely low, with only about 5-10% of plastic waste being recycled globally each year. The remaining plastic waste is either incinerated, stored in landfills, or ends up in the environment, including our oceans. While recycling plastic is important, it is not a complete solution to the plastic pollution crisis. This is partly because plastic recycling is time-intensive and expensive.
The process of recycling plastic is energy-intensive and becomes more costly as additional steps are added. For example, the selection and washing of plastic waste are necessary but time-consuming and costly steps in the recycling process. The further away from large cities, the less recycling occurs because rural areas often cannot afford the costly infrastructure required for recycling.
Additionally, the collection and sorting of plastic waste are challenging due to its ubiquitous nature and the variety of plastic types. Different types of plastic have different material properties, and not all can be recycled. For example, thermoplastics can be melted and moulded multiple times, while thermoset plastics do not soften with heat and are nearly impossible to recycle.
The lack of recycling infrastructure in some regions further complicates the issue. Previously, the US and Europe exported recyclables to China, but with the rising costs of labour and domestic recycling in China, a ban on low-quality recyclables imports was introduced. This has resulted in recyclables in the US and Europe often ending up in landfills or incinerators instead of being recycled.
Furthermore, plastic waste with food or oil residues cannot be recycled and is deemed useless, contributing to the already low recycling rates. As a result, even carefully washed plastic containers may be rejected for recycling if any residue remains, requiring additional resources for proper disposal.
Overall, the time-intensive and expensive nature of plastic recycling highlights the need for alternative solutions, such as improved waste management strategies and a shift towards systems of reuse and refill.
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Plastic waste is a growing environmental pollutant
The primary issue with plastic waste is its mismanagement, which can lead to it being leaked into rivers, lakes, and oceans, affecting wildlife and ecosystems. When plastic waste is not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills, it becomes a significant environmental pollutant. Only about 5% to 10% of plastic waste is recycled globally, with the remaining 90% to 95% ending up in landfills, oceans, or scattered in the atmosphere. This mismanagement of plastic waste is a critical issue that needs to be addressed to tackle the growing environmental impact of plastic pollution.
The low recycling rate of plastic waste is due to various factors, including the uneven distribution of recycling facilities, the high cost and complexity of recycling processes, and the material properties of plastics. Many areas lack the necessary infrastructure for efficient selection and recycling of plastics, and the recycling process itself is energy-intensive and costly, especially when additional steps such as washing and sorting are required. Furthermore, not all types of plastics are recyclable, and even when plastics are put into recycling bins, food residues often render them unfit for recycling.
To combat the growing environmental impact of plastic waste, a multifaceted approach is necessary. While improving waste management strategies, such as recycling, incineration, and sealed landfilling, is crucial, it is equally important to reduce plastic consumption and switch to reusable and refillable alternatives. Additionally, addressing the issues of plastic waste mismanagement, especially in poorer countries, is essential to preventing plastic pollution from entering natural ecosystems. By implementing a combination of improved waste management, reduced plastic use, and the adoption of reusable systems, we can effectively mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with annual production having doubled in the last two decades.
It is estimated that only 5% to 10% of plastic waste is recycled globally. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the uneven distribution of recycling facilities, the high cost of recycling infrastructure, and the material properties of plastics, which make some types difficult or impossible to recycle.
Plastic waste that is not recycled is either incinerated, dumped in landfills, or ends up in our oceans and natural environment, causing pollution and affecting wildlife and ecosystems.
