Disposable Plastic Spending: America's Costly Environmental Concern

Plastic waste is a huge problem in the United States, with Americans throwing away around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year. In 2015, about 730,000 tons of plastic bags, sacks and wraps were generated in the US, and more than 87% of those items are never recycled, ending up in landfills and the ocean. In 2019, communities across the country spent about $2.3 billion on plastic waste disposal, with the market value of landfilled plastic ranging from $4.5 billion to $9.9 billion, or $7.2 billion on average.

Plastic waste disposal costs: $2.3 billion in 2019

Plastic waste disposal costs in the US are high, with communities across the country spending $2.3 billion on plastic waste disposal in 2019. This is a significant expense, and it is important to consider the environmental impact of plastic waste as well as the economic cost. Plastic waste is a major contributor to pollution, with plastic ending up in landfills, oceans, and the environment. The low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country have led to an increase in plastic waste.

The US Department of Energy has recognised the importance of investing in research and development to curb plastic waste and reduce the energy utilised in recycling single-use plastics, earmarking up to $14.5 million for this purpose. Additionally, the net cost burden of operating plastic waste management in the US is estimated at $660 million annually, with marine plastic pollution alone responsible for a staggering annual loss of up to $2.5 trillion.

The economic and environmental costs of plastic waste disposal highlight the need for improved waste management systems and infrastructure to prevent plastic pollution.

Plastic bags: Americans use 365 plastic bags per person per year

Plastic bags are a major contributor to the growing global plastic waste problem. In the US, plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons in 2019, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant. Americans use an average of 365 plastic bags per person per year. In 2015, about 730,000 tons of plastic bags, sacks and wraps were generated in the US, but more than 87% of those items are never recycled, ending up in landfills and the ocean.

The US is one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, with plastic use in the country more than tripling since the 1980s. In 2021, of the 40 million tons of municipal plastic waste estimated to be generated in the US, at least 80% was expected to be sent to landfill sites. The US exports large volumes of plastic waste every year to countries around the world, with Canada and Mexico as the main destinations.

Plastic waste is a significant environmental issue, polluting land, oceans, air, and even food and human blood. When plastics end up in landfills, they break down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. This leads to more plastic in our oceans, more greenhouse gas emissions, and more toxic air pollution, exacerbating the climate crisis.

The plastic typically used in bottles, bags, and food containers contains chemical additives such as endocrine disruptors, which are associated with negative health effects, including cancers, birth defects, and immune system suppression in humans and wildlife.

Plastic bottles: Americans throw away 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year

The U.S. is one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, with plastic use more than tripling since the 1980s. This has made the North American country a major contributor to the global plastic waste crisis. With plastic demand showing little sign of slowing down, U.S. plastic waste generation is projected to surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060.

The impact of this waste is devastating. Plastic breaks down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. This has negative health effects, including cancers, birth defects and immune system suppression in humans and wildlife.

Plastic packaging: 146 million metric tons used in 2017

In 2017, 146 million metric tons of plastic were used for packaging production, the highest-demanded use for plastic that year. Americans throw away around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year, and the average American uses 365 plastic bags per year.

The amount of plastic waste in the United States is increasing due to low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country. Communities across the United States spent about $2.3 billion on plastic waste disposal in 2019, and the market value of landfilled plastic ranges from $4.5 billion to $9.9 billion, or $7.2 billion on average.

The problem of plastic waste in the United States has been exacerbated by China's refusal to import non-industrial plastic waste from the country since 2017. Developing new recycling techniques for plastics would create incentives for a circular economy, where what was once discarded would be reused instead of virgin plastics.

Plastic pollution: 14 million tons of plastic enter oceans annually

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with 14 million tons of plastic entering our oceans each year. This is a global problem, but the United States is a major contributor. Americans throw away around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups annually, and the country's plastic waste generation is projected to surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060. In 2019, U.S. plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant.

The U.S. also exports large volumes of plastic waste to other countries, particularly Canada and Mexico. While the domestic plastic recycling rate has mostly stagnated, the country does not have the capacity to recycle all its waste domestically. This is evident in the fact that more than 87% of plastic bags, sacks, and wraps generated in the U.S. in 2015 were never recycled, ending up in landfills and the ocean instead.

The consequences of plastic pollution are dire. When plastics end up in landfills, they break down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals ingest them. This has negative health effects, including cancers, birth defects, and immune system suppression in both humans and wildlife.

To address plastic pollution, many countries need to develop the necessary infrastructure. This includes sanitary landfills, incineration facilities, recycling capacity, and proper waste management and disposal systems. By reducing plastic waste and improving recycling rates, we can help mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and the environment as a whole.

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