Alexei Volkov
Plastic recycling is a pressing global issue, with the United States recycling only about 5% of its plastic waste in 2021, according to a Greenpeace report. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that plastic production is increasing, with the industry planning to triple production by 2050. While some specific types of plastic containers have higher recycling rates, such as PET bottles and jars, the overall problem is significant. The crisis has led to various responses, including waste management systems, new recycling techniques, and legislative efforts to ban single-use plastics. However, the complexity and expense of plastic collection and sorting, coupled with the industry's resistance to change, pose significant challenges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recycling rate of PET bottles and jars in 2018 | 29.1% |
| Recycling rate of HDPE natural bottles in 2018 | 29.3% |
| Total amount of plastics combusted in MSW in 2018 | 5.6 million tons |
| Percentage of all MSW combusted with energy recovery in 2018 | 16.3% |
| Landfills received in 2018 | 27 million tons of plastic |
| Percentage of all MSW landfilled in 2018 | 18.5% |
| Amount of US plastic waste recycled in 2021 | 5% |
| Amount of US plastic waste in 2021 | 51 million tons |
| Amount of US plastic waste recycled in 2018 | 8.7% |
| Amount of US plastic waste recycled in 2019 | 5% to 6% |
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What You'll Learn
Only 9% of plastic is recycled
Plastic recycling is a complex and challenging issue that has significant environmental implications. Despite public awareness and efforts to recycle, the reality is that only a small percentage of plastic waste is actually being recycled. According to various sources and reports, the recycling rate for plastic in the United States falls between 5% and 9%, with some reports placing it even lower. This means that out of all the plastic waste generated in the US, only a tiny fraction is being successfully recycled and reused.
The low recycling rate has been attributed to a variety of factors. One significant issue is the sheer volume of plastic being produced and consumed. As Lisa Ramsden, senior plastic campaigner for Greenpeace USA, states, "More plastic is being produced, and an even smaller percentage of it is being recycled." The plastic industry's plans to triple production by 2050 further contribute to the worsening crisis.
Another challenge is the variety of plastic types and the difficulty of recycling them together. There are thousands of different types of plastic, each with unique chemical additives that give them specific properties. These different types of plastic cannot be melted down and recycled together without causing degradation and reducing the quality of the recycled material. This makes the recycling process complex and expensive, and in many cases, it is simply not feasible to recycle certain types of plastic.
Additionally, single-use plastics play a significant role in the low recycling rate. These are often small pieces of plastic used for retail and fast-food packaging, which are difficult to collect and recycle due to their size and the sheer quantity consumed by US residents annually. Greenpeace USA's Ramsden emphasizes that "single-use plastics are like trillions of pieces of confetti" that are impossible to collect and recycle effectively.
The consequences of the low recycling rate are severe. Plastic waste ends up in landfills, water sources, and even our bodies, as evidenced by the presence of plastic particles in breast milk, placenta, and blood. Environmental groups are advocating for a shift in perspective, encouraging the public to recognize plastic for what it truly is—trash. They suggest that individuals ask themselves if there are alternative options they can use instead of plastic.
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The remaining 91% is discarded
While the recycling of some specific types of plastic containers is more significant, the remaining 91% of plastic is discarded. For instance, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, and the rate for HDPE natural bottles was 29.3% in the same year. However, the reprocessing rate for all other forms of plastic is lower, at under 5%. This means that the vast majority of plastic ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation.
The problem is further exacerbated by the increasing production of plastic, with the industry planning to triple plastic production by 2050. This has led to a situation where even recyclable plastics are not being recycled enough to meet the standards. For example, two of the most common forms of plastic in the US, polyethylene terephthalate and high-density polyethylene, have recycling rates of only 20.9% and 10.3%, respectively.
The issue of plastic waste is not just a matter of recycling rates, but also the challenges posed by the variety of plastic types and the cost of waste management. There are now thousands of different types of plastic, each with unique chemical additives that give them specific properties, such as softness or fire resistance. This makes it difficult to recycle them together, as they cannot be melted down in the same process. Additionally, plastic degrades after one or two uses, and it is more toxic the more it is reused.
The solution to this crisis lies in reducing plastic production and consumption, as well as transitioning to systems of reuse and refill. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) plans, which require producers of plastic bottles and packaging to provide funding for the management of these materials after their initial use, are being considered by many countries to support programs that address plastic waste. Additionally, some states in the US have implemented bans on single-use plastic products, such as plastic bags, and are encouraging the use of refillable and reusable containers.
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Plastic waste ends up in landfills, oceans, or is incinerated
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with plastic production projected to increase and only a small percentage of plastic being recycled. In 2018, the recycling rate of plastic in the US was 8.7%, while studies from 2019 show that only 5% of plastics are recycled. This small recycling rate means that most plastic waste ends up in landfills, oceans, or is incinerated.
Landfills received 27 million tons of plastic in 2018, accounting for 18.5% of all municipal solid waste landfilled. Plastic waste in landfills can be blown away due to its lightweight nature, eventually finding its way into drains, rivers, and the sea. Improper waste disposal, including illegal dumping, also contributes to plastic pollution in oceans.
A significant portion of plastic waste ends up in the oceans, with an estimated 1.7 million tons entering the oceans annually. This plastic pollution comes from thousands of sources worldwide, with a combination of increasing consumption and improper waste management. While some plastic floats on the ocean surface or sinks to the seabed, most of it stays close to the shoreline, where it gets trapped and resurfaces.
To address the issue of plastic waste, there have been calls for drastic cuts in plastic production, especially single-use plastics. Additionally, innovative techniques are being explored to process and recycle plastic waste, such as converting polypropylene and polyethylene into propane or using engineered enzymes to break down and recycle PET.
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Plastic manufacturing contributes to global emissions
Plastic manufacturing contributes significantly to global emissions, with plastic production belching out over 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This percentage is expected to increase, with projections showing that plastics production could contribute between 21% and 31% of total GHG emissions if the industry continues to grow. The primary sources of these emissions are the creation of monomers, refining hydrocarbons, and producing other plastic ingredients, as well as the extraction of feedstock oil and gas.
The carbon and particulate-matter-related health footprint of plastics has doubled since 1995, driven mainly by the growth in plastics production in coal-based economies. This has led to a significant increase in the global carbon footprint of plastics, particularly in emerging economies with growing infrastructure, transportation systems, and digitalization. For example, the plastics-related carbon footprint of China's transportation system, Indonesia's electronics industry, and India's construction sector has increased more than 50-fold since 1995.
The production and use of plastics are significant contributors to global emissions, and the disposal of plastics also has environmental implications. Landfilled plastic waste, which accounts for a significant portion of plastic waste, releases heat-trapping gases and contributes to the global carbon footprint of plastics. Additionally, the recycling rate of plastics is relatively low, with studies showing that only about 5% of plastic waste is recycled in the United States.
While recycling and reuse are important, they cannot address the vast amount of plastic waste generated. To effectively combat plastic pollution, drastic cuts in plastic production, especially single-use plastics, are necessary. This includes exploring alternative feedstocks, such as bio-based materials, and transitioning towards "zero waste" practices that emphasize responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of materials.
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The solution: reduce plastic production, increase recycling
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with only a small percentage of plastic waste being recycled. For instance, in the US, only about 5% of 51 million tons of plastic waste was recycled in 2021. This issue is further exacerbated by the increasing production of plastic, with the industry aiming to triple plastic production by 2050.
To effectively address this problem, a two-pronged approach is necessary: reduce plastic production and increase recycling efforts. Firstly, it is imperative to curb plastic production, especially single-use plastics. This can be achieved through legislative measures such as bans or restrictions on single-use plastics, as some states in the US have already implemented. Additionally, extended producer responsibility (EPR) plans can be enforced, requiring producers of plastic packaging to provide funding for the management and recycling of their products after their initial use. This approach has been successful in countries like Tanzania, where organizations such as Nipe Fagio have significantly reduced landfill waste.
Secondly, increasing recycling efforts is crucial. This can be facilitated by investing in new technologies that can process and recycle various types of plastics. For example, a 2020 study described a technique to process polypropylene and polyethylene into propane. Another promising method involves using an engineered soil bacterium to break down common consumer plastics and reform them into bioplastics. Additionally, implementing "bottle bills" that incentivize consumers to return their plastic bottles for recycling can be effective, as seen in Oregon and Michigan.
Furthermore, public awareness and education play a vital role in reducing plastic consumption and promoting recycling. Consumers should be encouraged to opt for reusable containers and avoid products packaged in plastic whenever possible. Proper waste segregation and disposal methods should also be emphasized to ensure that recyclable materials are not contaminated.
By implementing these measures, we can significantly reduce plastic production and increase recycling rates, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Only 9% of the plastic ever produced has been recycled, according to a 2022 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The plastic recycling rate in the US was 8.7% in 2018, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An NGO report claimed that in 2021, this had dropped to around 5%.
In 2018, the US recycled three million tons of plastic, which was 8.7% of the total plastic generated that year.
Plastic recycling is often not economically viable compared to producing new plastic. Sorting, material collection, processing, and transportation add to the costs. Flexible packaging is also incredibly difficult to recycle due to contamination and complex composition.
PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) is the most recyclable plastic and there is a strong market for its byproduct, which is used to make drink bottles, food containers, and fibres for clothes.
