Ethan Clarke
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, with plastic production projected to triple by 2050. As one of the world's largest consumers of plastic, the United States plays a significant role in this crisis. In 2019, the U.S. generated an estimated 73 million metric tons of plastic waste, and the recycling rate for post-consumer plastic in the country remains low, at around 5-8.7%. This article will explore the amount of plastic recycled in America and the challenges it faces in addressing plastic waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste generated in the US in 2018 | 35.7 million tons |
| Plastic waste generated in the US in 2019 | 73 million tons |
| Plastic waste generated in the US in 2021 | 40 million tons |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled in the US in 2018 | 8.7% |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled in the US in 2021 | 5-6% |
| Plastic waste sent to landfills in the US in 2021 | 85% |
| Plastic waste incinerated in the US in 2021 | 10% |
| Plastic waste in the US as a percentage of global plastic waste | 12% |
| Projected plastic waste generation in the US by 2060 | 140 million tons |
| Percentage of plastic waste in the US that comes from containers and packaging | 14.5 million tons |
| Plastic waste generated by Coca-Cola in 2017 | 3 million tons |
| Global plastic waste generated by humans | 11 billion tons |
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What You'll Learn
In 2018, 35.7 million tons of plastic were generated in the US
Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the US. In 2018, plastic products generation was 35.7 million tons, or 12.2% of MSW generation. This was an increase of 4.3 million tons from 2010 to 2018 and came primarily from durable goods and the containers and packaging categories. Containers and packaging, in fact, made up the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons in 2018. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, other packaging, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and jars, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) natural bottles, and other containers.
The US is one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, with plastic use more than tripling since the 1980s. In 1980, the US produced 7.4 million tons of plastic waste, and by 2018, that number had grown to 35.7 million tons. This increase is part of a broader trend of growing plastic generation as a percentage of total MSW generation, which has varied from 12.2% to 13.2% over the past eight years.
The US recycled 3 million tons of plastic in 2018, which equates to an 8.7% recycling rate. While this is a relatively small amount, the recycling of some specific types of plastic containers is more significant. For example, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, and the rate for HDPE natural bottles was 29.3%. However, it is important to note that even plastics that make it to recycling facilities are not always recycled, with 30-36% of PET bottles wasted during the recycling process.
The US's large contribution to the global plastic waste problem is further exacerbated by the fact that the country does not have the capability to recycle all of its own plastic. As a result, the amount of MSW sent to landfills has been increasing. In 2018, about 146.1 million tons of MSW were landfilled, with food as the largest component at about 24%. Plastics accounted for over 18% of landfilled MSW, and this number is projected to grow. With plastics demand showing little sign of slowing down, US plastic waste generation is expected to surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060.
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Plastic containers and packaging were the main source of plastic waste
Plastic waste is a significant environmental issue in the United States, with the country being one of the world's largest consumers of plastics. In 2019, US plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons, which equates to roughly 220 kilograms per person. This was approximately five times the global average per capita plastic waste generation. With plastic demand showing little sign of slowing, the US is projected to produce over 140 million metric tons of plastic waste by 2060.
Plastic containers and packaging are the main source of plastic waste in the US. In 2018, the containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, other packaging, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and jars, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) natural bottles, and other containers.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling of plastic materials in municipal solid waste (MSW). The EPA's data shows that in 2018, plastic products generation was 35.7 million tons, or 12.2% of MSW generation. This was an increase of 4.3 million tons from 2010 to 2018, and it came primarily from durable goods and the containers and packaging categories.
While the overall amount of recycled plastics in the US is relatively small, the recycling rate for certain types of plastic containers is more significant. For example, the recycling rate for 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 domestic plastic recycling rate in the US has largely stagnated, and the amount of MSW sent to landfills continues to be a concern, with plastics accounting for over 18% of landfilled waste in 2018.
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Plastic waste has increased five-fold from 1980 to 2018
Plastic waste in the United States has increased five-fold from 1980 to 2018. In 1980, the U.S. produced 7.4 million tons of plastic waste, and by 2018, this number had grown to 35.7 million tons. This increase is attributed to a variety of factors, including the growing demand for plastics, the misinformation about the recyclability of plastics, and the lack of proper waste management infrastructure.
The United States is one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, and plastic use in the country has more than tripled since the 1980s. This high consumption has made the U.S. a major contributor to the global plastic waste problem. In 2019, U.S. plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant. This was roughly five times the global average per capita plastic waste generation. With plastic demand showing no signs of slowing, U.S. plastic waste generation is projected to surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060.
Plastics account for roughly 12% of U.S. municipal solid waste generation, with plastic containers and packaging being the main sources of plastic waste. Despite the vast amount of plastic waste generated, the U.S. has a low rate of plastic recycling. In 2018, the plastic recycling rate was only 8.7%, and it has decreased since then. This low recycling rate is partly due to the "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable," as well as the confusion caused by the three-arrow recycling symbol, which is misleading as most municipalities only recycle certain types of plastics.
The mismanagement of plastic waste is a critical issue, especially in low-to-middle-income countries, where most ocean plastics originate. While rich countries produce the most plastic waste per person, the mismanagement of this waste, such as improper disposal or lack of recycling infrastructure, contributes significantly to plastic pollution in the oceans. Improving waste management strategies, such as recycling, incineration, and sealed landfills, is crucial to tackling the plastic pollution problem.
To address the growing plastic waste crisis, it is essential to focus on reducing the use of single-use plastics, improving recycling technologies, and implementing effective waste management strategies. By taking these steps, we can significantly reduce the amount of plastic pollution in our environment and work towards a more sustainable future.
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The US recycled 5-6% of its plastic waste in 2021
Plastic is everywhere, and it is cheap to make and shockingly profitable. Humans have created around 11 billion metric tons of plastic to date, and this amount surpasses the biomass of all animals on Earth, according to a 2020 study published in Nature.
The United States is one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, and its plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons in 2019, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant. This was roughly five times the global average per capita. With plastic demand showing little sign of slowing down, the US is projected to generate over 140 million metric tons of plastic waste by 2060.
Despite being one of the top producers of plastic waste, the US recycled only 5-6% of its plastic waste in 2021, according to a report by environmental groups Beyond Plastics and The Last Beach Cleanup. This amounts to about two million tons of recycled plastic waste out of the 40 million tons generated. The report states that this "should be a wake-up call to the false promise that plastic recycling is a credible solution to plastic waste and pollution."
The US has seen a five-fold increase in plastic waste since 1980, and the domestic plastic recycling rate has mostly stagnated. In 2018, the recycling rate was 8.7%, and at its peak in 2014, it was only 9.5%. The stagnation in recycling rates can be attributed to various factors, including low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country.
The US faces challenges in recycling plastics due to the contamination of loads when recyclable plastics are co-mingled with non-recyclable plastics, as well as the water-intensive nature of the recycling process.
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Plastic production is projected to grow 5% annually
Plastic production and consumption have been increasing globally, with production increasing nearly 230-fold over 70 years to 460 million tonnes in 2019. The worldwide production of plastics reached 413.8 million metric tons in 2023. This growth is projected to continue, with a 5% annual increase in plastic production expected.
In the United States, plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons in 2019, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant. This was roughly five times the global average per capita plastic waste generation. With plastic demand showing little sign of slowing, U.S. plastic waste generation is projected to surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060.
Plastics account for roughly 12% of U.S. municipal solid waste generation, with plastic containers and packaging as the main sources of plastic waste. In 2018, the containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, other packaging, and containers such as PET bottles and jars.
While the domestic plastic recycling rate in the U.S. has stagnated, proactive policies can help mitigate sustainability challenges. For example, achieving a 55% recycling target for plastic packaging by 2030 would recycle more than 75% of plastic packaging by 2050. However, it's important to note that even if plastic consumption is halved, significant amounts of plastic will continue to flow into our rivers and oceans unless waste is adequately managed.
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Frequently asked questions
About two million tons of plastic were recycled in the US in 2021, out of 40 million tons of plastic waste generated. This equates to a plastic recycling rate of just 5-6%.
The US plastic recycling rate decreased since 2018, when it was 8.7%. In 2014, the peak recycling rate was only slightly higher at 9.5%.
In 2019, US plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons, or more than 220 kilograms per person. This was a significant increase from 1980, when the US produced 7.4 million tons of plastic waste.
The US is one of the world's largest consumers of plastic, with plastic use more than tripling since the 1980s. In 2019, US plastic waste generation was roughly five times the global average per capita.
As of 2020, humans have created around 11 billion metric tons of plastic. This amount surpasses the biomass of all animals on Earth, both on land and in the ocean.
