Plastic Waste: America's Contribution To Global Crisis

The United States is a major contributor to the world's plastic waste problem. In 2016, the US produced more plastic waste than any other nation, generating 42 million metric tons of plastic waste in total and 130 kg of plastic waste per capita per year. The US also exported large volumes of plastic waste to other countries, with 88% going to nations with ineffective waste management systems. Less than 10% of plastic waste in the US was collected for recycling in 2016, and between 2-3% of plastic waste generated in the US that year was either littered or illegally dumped.

The US produced more plastic waste than any other country in 2016

The US is one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, with its use of plastic more than tripling since the 1980s. In 2016, the US generated the most plastic waste of any other country in the world. Less than 10% of plastic waste in the US was collected for recycling that year, and as much as half of this plastic was shipped overseas, with 88% going to countries with ineffective waste management systems. Between 2-3% of plastic waste generated in the US in 2016 was either discarded as litter or illegally dumped. Combined with waste exports, this meant the US contributed 2.25 million metric tons of plastic to global pollution levels, 1.5 million of which ended up in coastal environments that directly feed into the ocean. This was five times more than in 2010.

The US's plastic waste generation is projected to surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060. In 2019, it was estimated at 73 million metric tons, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant. This was roughly five times more than the global average per capita plastic waste generation.

The US exports large volumes of plastic waste to other countries

The US is a large source of plastic pollution, producing more plastic waste than any other nation in 2016. The US generated 42Mt of plastic waste in total and 130 kg of plastic waste per capita per year. Less than 10% of plastic waste in the US was collected for recycling in 2016, and as much as half of this plastic was shipped overseas. 88% of this plastic went to countries with ineffective waste management systems, and it is estimated that up to 1 million metric tons of US-generated plastic waste ended up polluting the environment beyond its own borders.

The US's plastic waste exports have significant environmental implications. The ineffective waste management systems in many of the recipient countries can lead to pollution and the improper disposal of plastic waste. This contributes to the global plastic pollution problem, which is already growing relentlessly due to inadequate collection and disposal of larger plastic debris (macroplastics) and the leakage of microplastics from industrial sources and consumer products.

To address the issue of plastic waste exports, the US needs to improve its domestic waste management and recycling infrastructure. This includes increasing the capacity for recycling and proper disposal of plastic waste, as well as reducing the overall generation of plastic waste. Additionally, there is a need for international cooperation and regulation to ensure that plastic waste is managed and disposed of responsibly, regardless of where it is generated or exported.

Less than 10% of plastic waste in the US was collected for recycling in 2016

The United States is a major source of plastic pollution. In 2016, the U.S. produced more plastic waste than any other nation, generating 42Mt of plastic waste in total and 130 kg of plastic waste per capita per year. Less than 10% of this waste was collected for recycling, and as much as half of this plastic was shipped overseas, with 88% going to countries with ineffective waste management systems. This means that up to 1 million metric tons of U.S.-generated plastic waste ended up polluting the environment beyond its borders.

The U.S. has been exporting large volumes of plastic waste to other countries since at least 1980, when its municipal plastic waste generation increased five-fold. Since China largely halted the import of trash in 2016, this waste has been flowing to other developing nations in Asia and Africa. The U.S. also has a problem with littering and illegal dumping of plastic waste, with between 2 and 3% of plastic waste generated in the U.S. in 2016 being discarded in this way.

The U.S. generates a large amount of plastic waste per person, with 221 kg of plastic waste generated annually per person, compared to 114 kg in European OECD countries and 69 kg, on average, for Japan and Korea. Most plastic pollution comes from the inadequate collection and disposal of larger plastic debris, known as macroplastics. However, leakage of microplastics (synthetic polymers smaller than 5 mm in diameter) from things like industrial plastic pellets, synthetic textiles, road markings and tyre wear are also a serious concern.

Plastic waste generated per person in the US varies from 221 kg

The US is a major source of plastic pollution. In 2016, the US produced more plastic waste than any other nation, generating 42Mt of plastic waste in total and 130 kg of plastic waste per capita per year. Plastic waste generated annually per person varies from 221 kg in the United States and 114 kg in European OECD countries to 69 kg, on average, for Japan and Korea.

In 2016, less than 10% of plastic waste in the US was collected for recycling. Of this, half was shipped overseas, with 88% going to countries with ineffective waste management systems. The US also exports large volumes of plastic waste to its North American neighbours, Canada and Mexico.

A study found that between 2 to 3% of plastic waste generated in the US in 2016 was either discarded as litter or illegally dumped. Since then, China has largely halted the import of trash, but waste is still flowing to other developing nations in Asia and Africa.

China has largely halted the import of trash from the US

The United States is a major contributor to the world's plastic waste problem. In 2019, the US generated an estimated 73 million metric tons of plastic waste, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant. This is roughly five times more than the global average per capita plastic waste generation.

The US has had to find new markets for its waste, with countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, becoming new destinations for US waste exports. However, these countries have also become overwhelmed and have started to follow China's strategy of clamping down on waste imports.

The US's reliance on exporting its waste to other countries has highlighted the need to address the country's plastic waste problem at home. As Nick Mallos, senior director of Ocean Conservancy's Trash Free Seas program, stated: "The solution has to start at home... We need to create less, by cutting out unnecessary single-use plastics; we need to create better, by developing innovative new ways to package and deliver goods; and where plastics are inevitable, we need to drastically improve our recycling rates."

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