The Longevity Of Standard Plastic: How Long Does It Last?

Plastic is a relatively new invention in human history, but its versatility and low production cost have made it one of the most widely used materials of modern times. In 2019, the world produced more than 460 million metric tons of plastic, already double the amount produced in 2000. Plastic is used in a variety of products, from food packaging to healthcare, construction materials, furniture and textiles. However, it is also bad for the environment, contributing to climate change, air emissions and pollution of the seas and land.

Plastic is a relatively new invention, dating back to the 19th century

The development of plastics started with natural materials that exhibited plastic properties, such as shellac and chewing gum. The next step in the evolution of plastics involved the chemical modification of natural materials such as rubber, nitrocellulose, collagen and galalite. Finally, a wide range of completely synthetic materials that we would recognise as modern plastics started to be developed around 100 years ago.

After the First World War, plastics made their most significant foray into the industrial landscape. Polystyrene, polyamide and more gradually became ubiquitous in households, transcending social strata. During this period, plastics were primarily derived from oil or natural gas, and the availability of petrochemicals made them affordable. This transformation, unparalleled in human history in terms of scale and rapidity, saw traditional materials swiftly supplanted by synthetic substances.

Today, plastic is everywhere. However, it is not biodegradable and takes a long time to break down. Plastic bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose, while fishing lines take around 600 years. Biodegradable plastics, on the other hand, take only three to six months to fully decompose.

Plastic is bad for the environment, contributing to climate change and air emissions

Plastic is a relatively new invention in human history, with some of the first examples dating back to the late 1800s. Its versatility and low production cost have made it one of the most widely used materials of modern times. In western Europe, the average annual plastic consumption is around 150kg per person, more than twice the global average of 60kg.

The world produced more than 460 million metric tons of plastic in 2019, already double the amount produced in 2000. Since the 1950s, the world has produced more than nine billion metric tons of plastics, more than half of which was brought to market after 2000. Coca-Cola on its own produces three million metric tons of plastic packaging each year, equivalent to a terrifying 200,000 plastic bottles per minute.

Plastic is used mostly (about 74%) for non-packaging purposes, like in construction, furniture, textiles and consumer electronics. 85% of marine litter from land-based sources is plastic. This is a big problem because of plastic’s impact on marine life and human health via the food chain. Ingestion of plastics by marine species is widespread in European seas. For example, 93% of fulmar birds assessed in the North-East Atlantic Ocean had ingested some plastic and 85% of turtles assessed in the Mediterranean Sea had ingested litter.

Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste

The increase in plastic waste is due to several factors. Firstly, plastic is a relatively new invention in human history, dating back to the mid-19th century. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed, with manufacturers replacing traditionally paper or glass staples with lighter, more durable, and affordable plastic alternatives. Secondly, the world's population and GDP growth rates are contributing to the increase in plastic waste. By 2020, under a business-as-usual scenario for plastic consumption, the world was predicted to produce above 200 Mt of municipal plastic waste annually and around 230 Mt by 2025. Thirdly, some companies are not doing enough to reduce plastic waste. For example, Coca-Cola produces three million metric tons of plastic packaging each year, a number that continues to rise.

To address the issue of plastic waste, several measures can be taken. Policies and government frameworks, such as the forthcoming global plastics treaty, can spur action from private industry. Bottle bill laws, for example, can increase corporate responsibility for waste while providing a monetary incentive for consumers to recycle. Additionally, companies can experiment with designs that reduce waste or utilize reusable or compostable components. Municipal solid waste composting is also growing globally as a sustainable approach to valorize the organic fraction of municipal solid waste into compost for agricultural use. However, physical contaminants, mainly plastics, glass, metals, and stones in the compost, can exceed legal thresholds.

Plastic packaging is a major contributor to plastic waste

Plastic is a relatively new invention, with the first examples dating back to the mid-19th century. However, its popularity didn't skyrocket until the 1970s when manufacturers began replacing traditionally paper or glass staples with lighter, more durable, and affordable plastic alternatives. Since the 1950s, the world has produced more than nine billion metric tons of plastics, more than half of which was brought to market after 2000.

Plastic packaging and small plastic items comprise nearly 80% of plastic waste. The containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons in 2018. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, bottles, and jars. Plastic packaging is used for everything from food and beverages to potato chip bags and the vacuum-sealed wrapping on paper plates.

The food and beverage industry faces a unique challenge in reducing plastic waste, but innovation and commitment to sustainability are paving the way for change. From biodegradable packaging and reusable systems to plastic-free shipping and supply chains, brands have more opportunities than ever to minimize their environmental impact. Coca-Cola, for example, produces three million metric tons of plastic packaging each year, but in response to calls for change and shifting consumer habits, they are taking the initiative and experimenting with designs that reduce waste or utilize reusable or compostable components.

Although many alternative packaging options aren't yet mainstream, they're promising solutions to the plastic waste issue. Mycelium foam, which consists of mushrooms and agricultural waste, could be a suitable alternative to polystyrene styrofoam. It's biodegradable, and because its materials are all-natural, it returns to nature after its life cycle ends.

Global brands are producing more and more plastic packaging

Plastic is a relatively new invention in human history, with some of the first examples dating back to the late 1800s. However, its popularity skyrocketed in the 1970s when manufacturers began replacing traditionally paper or glass staples with lighter, more durable, and affordable plastic alternatives. Since the 1950s, the world has produced more than nine billion metric tons of plastics, more than half of which was brought to market after 2000.

The global plastic packaging market was valued at USD 384.35 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is fuelled by the expanding size of key application industries, including personal and household care, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and the growing penetration of e-retail across the globe.

Plastic is preferred by these industries as it offers both rigid and flexible, lightweight, and transparent forms of packaging. It is also a versatile, durable, low-cost material. For example, Coca-Cola produces three million metric tons of plastic packaging each year, equivalent to 200,000 plastic bottles per minute. This number continues to rise, as it does across many global brands. Amazon alone generated an estimated 465 million pounds of plastic packaging in 2019.

While some companies are taking the initiative and experimenting with designs that reduce waste or utilize reusable or compostable components, it is clear that much more needs to be done to reduce the amount of plastic packaging produced globally.

Frequently asked questions