The High Cost Of Petro Plastics: How Much?

Petro-based plastics are estimated to cost the world $2.5 trillion per year, with eight to 12 million tonnes ending up in the oceans. The cost of petro-based plastics is not just monetary, but also impacts the environment and human health. Barbados has joined the fight to ban petro-based single-use plastics, with Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey, stating that the real cost is the cost to clean up Barbados, protect its coral, save its fish and save the health of its citizens.

The cost of petro-based plastics to the environment

Petro-based plastics contain toxins that have been linked to diseases such as cancer and can contribute to a low sperm count in men. When we throw plastic away, it usually ends up in our food, water and soil.

The cost of cleaning up the environment is high, but the human cost is even higher. Marine life is dying after ingesting plastic, and microplastics are ending up in the food and drink we consume.

There are alternative products on the market, but the universal adoption of bioplastics has been curtailed by cost. It costs between 0.77-0.81 to manufacture petroleum-based plastics such as PVC, PP, PET, thermal polyethylene film (TPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate film (EVA), and three-layer co-extruded film (3L).

The cost of petro-based plastics to human health

Petro-based plastics contain toxins that have been linked to diseases such as cancer and can contribute to a low sperm count in men. When plastic is thrown away, it often ends up in our food, water and soil.

The impact of plastic on human health is not limited to the ingestion of microplastics. The production and disposal of petro-based plastics also contribute to air and water pollution, which can have serious health consequences.

In addition, the cost of cleaning up plastic pollution and protecting marine life can be significant. Barbados, for example, has banned the importation and usage of single-use petro-based plastics, recognising the cost of plastic pollution to the health of its citizens and the environment.

While the cost of switching to alternative products may be higher, the long-term benefits to human health and the environment are significant.

The cost of petro-based plastics to the economy

The cost of cleaning up plastic pollution is also substantial. Barbados, for example, imported over 100 million plastic bags in 2017, which is enough to wrap around the island 368 times. The country has since joined the fight to ban all petro-based single-use plastics, recognising the importance of protecting its coral reefs and marine life.

The cost of alternative products to petro-based plastics has been a topic of discussion. While bioplastics are slightly more expensive to manufacture, the long-term benefits to the environment and human health may outweigh the initial higher cost. However, the universal adoption of bioplastics has been limited by cost.

Overall, the cost of petro-based plastics to the economy is not just financial but also environmental and social. The impact on human health, marine life, and the planet cannot be ignored, and the true cost of petro-based plastics may be far greater than any monetary value.

The cost of manufacturing petro-based plastics

The cost of petro-based plastics is not just financial, but also environmental and social. Marine life is dying after ingesting plastic, and microplastics are ending up in the food, water and soil that humans consume. Barbados, for example, imported over 100 million individual plastic bags in 2017, which is enough to wrap around the island 368 times.

In terms of manufacturing costs, it costs between 0.77-0.81 to manufacture petroleum-based plastics such as PVC, PP, PET, thermal polyethylene film (TPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate film (EVA), and three-layer co-extruded film (3L).

While the cost of adopting alternative products may be higher, the long-term benefits for the environment and human health could be significant.

The cost of petro-based plastics compared to bio-plastics

The cost of petro-based plastics is estimated at US$2.5 trillion per year globally, with between eight and 12 million tonnes ending up in the world's oceans.

Petro-based plastics are cheaper to manufacture than bioplastics, which cost between 0.77-0.81 to produce. However, the cost of petro-based plastics goes beyond their price tag. They have a detrimental impact on the environment, with plastic waste polluting the oceans and endangering marine life. They also pose a threat to human health, with toxins in plastics linked to diseases such as cancer and contributing to low sperm counts in men.

The true cost of petro-based plastics is reflected in the damage they cause to the environment and human health. This has led to a growing movement to ban single-use petro-based plastics and promote alternative, biodegradable products. Barbados, for example, has joined the fight against petro-based single-use plastics by implementing a ban on their importation and usage.

While the cost of adopting alternative products may be higher, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial expense. By reducing the use of petro-based plastics, we can mitigate the environmental and health impacts, as well as the associated clean-up costs.

The comparison between the cost of a polystyrene cup and a biodegradable cup is not just about the price of the cup itself, but the broader implications for the planet and human health.

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