The Dark Side Of Burning Plastic: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Burning plastic is a significant contributor to climate change. The production and disposal of plastic emit greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane. If plastic production continues on its current trajectory, by 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach 1.34 billion tons per year, equivalent to the emissions produced by 295-300 new 500MW coal-fired power plants. By 2050, these emissions could reach over 56 gigatons, accounting for 10-13% of the entire remaining carbon budget.

By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach 1.34 billion tons per year

The life-cycle emissions of plastics, which includes the production of the material and its disposal, was estimated by the OECD to be 1.8 billion tonnes. Most of these emissions come from the production stage, in the form of carbon dioxide. In 2015, emissions from extraction and transport for plastic production in the US were 9.5-10.5 million metric tons of CO2.

The fracking process emits methane, a greenhouse gas that traps more heat than carbon dioxide

Burning plastic produces greenhouse gas emissions. If plastic production continues at its current rate, by 2030, emissions could reach 1.34 billion tons per year. By 2050, the cumulation of these emissions could reach over 56 gigatons, or 10-13% of the entire remaining carbon budget.

Methane is a powerful global warming gas, and its emissions have increased massively over the last decade. Scientists have found the "chemical fingerprints" of rising global methane levels, pointing to shale oil and shale gas as the probable source. The boom in fracking for shale gas has been linked to a dramatic increase in global methane emissions. Research attributes 40% of this century's atmospheric methane increase to new fracking. In 2022, US fracking was responsible for over 26.4 million metric tons of methane emissions, the equivalent of 500 million cars' annual emissions.

Methane is a coproduct of oil production and is obtained through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. In the process, methane may leak from pipelines, be vented into the air, or be burned in a process known as flaring. No matter how it is released, methane emissions are environmentally damaging, harmful to human health, and wasteful. While the United Nations has called for faster emissions reductions, US oil and gas production has continued to increase.

Most emissions come from the production stage

If plastic production continues on its current trajectory, by 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach 1.34 billion tons per year. This is equivalent to the emissions produced by 300 new 500MW coal-fired power plants. By 2050, the cumulation of these emissions could reach over 56 gigatons, accounting for 10-13% of the entire remaining carbon budget.

The life-cycle emissions of plastics, which include the production of the material and its disposal, were estimated at 1.8 billion tonnes by the OECD. Most of these emissions come from the production stage and are in the form of carbon dioxide. In 2015, emissions from extraction and transport for plastic production in the US were 9.5-10.5 million metric tons of CO2.

The fracking process, which is used to extract natural gas and oil for plastic production, emits methane, a greenhouse gas that traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Methane can result from flaring and leakage, which can occur anywhere from the well to the end user.

In addition to the emissions from plastic production, there are also emissions from the open burning and incineration of plastic waste. A study found that plastic at the ocean's surface continually releases methane and other greenhouse gases as it degrades, and these emissions increase as plastic breaks down further.

Plastic packaging waste that is left unmanaged continues to have climate impacts as it degrades

The life-cycle emissions of plastics, which include the production of the material and its disposal, were estimated at 1.8 billion tonnes by the OECD. Most of these emissions come from the production stage and are in the form of carbon dioxide. However, emissions are also produced by the combustion of fuel to operate drilling equipment, as well as from flaring and leakage, which can occur anywhere from the well to the end user. In 2015, emissions from extraction and transport for plastic production in the US were 9.5-10.5 million metric tons of CO2.

If plastic production and use continue to grow as currently planned, by 2030, emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year, equivalent to the emissions released by more than 295 new 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants. By 2050, the cumulation of these greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach over 56 gigatons, accounting for 10-13% of the entire remaining carbon budget.

By 2050, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach over 56 gigatons

Burning plastic is not the only way that plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The life-cycle emissions of plastics, which include the production of the material and its disposal, were estimated at 1.8 billion tonnes by the OECD. Most of these emissions come from the production stage, in the form of carbon dioxide.

However, burning plastic does contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. A 2015 study found that emissions from extraction and transport for plastic production in the US were 9.5-10.5 million metric tons of CO2. Another study found that plastic at the ocean's surface continually releases methane and other greenhouse gases as it breaks down.

If plastic production and use continue to grow as currently planned, by 2030, emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year. By 2050, the cumulation of these greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach over 56 gigatons, or 10-13% of the entire remaining carbon budget. This is equivalent to the emissions produced by 300 new 500MW coal-fired power plants.

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