Chloe Zhang
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue. It is estimated that there are 8.3 billion tons of plastic in the world, with 6.3 billion tons of that being trash. The amount of plastic waste generated per person varies from 221 kg in the United States to 69 kg in Japan and Korea. While the exact amount of plastic in the ocean is unknown, it is estimated that 8 million metric tons are added each year. This has severe consequences for marine life, as plastic trash kills ocean creatures through entanglement, ingestion, and other interactions. The mismanagement of plastic waste, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries, contributes to the problem, as does the lack of recycling. Only 8.7% of plastic waste was recycled in the US in 2018.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total amount of plastic in the world | 8.3 billion tons |
| Amount of plastic that is trash | 6.3 billion tons |
| Amount of plastic waste generated annually per person in the US | 221 kg |
| Amount of plastic waste generated annually per person in European OECD countries | 114 kg |
| Amount of plastic waste generated annually per person in Japan and Korea | 69 kg |
| Amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean each year | 8 million metric tons |
| Amount of plastic waste recycled in the US in 2018 | 8.7% |
| Amount of plastic waste not recycled in the US in 2018 | 91.3% |
What You'll Learn
Plastic waste in the ocean
Plastic waste is a huge problem, with the majority of plastic never being recycled. In 2018, only 8.7% of all plastic waste was recycled in the US, and 91.3% of all plastic waste generated in the US that year was not recycled.
The amount of plastic waste generated annually per person varies from 221 kg in the United States to 69 kg, on average, for Japan and Korea. Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but the most important factor for plastic pollution is how much of this waste is mismanaged. Mismanagement means that plastic waste is at risk of leaking into the environment, and this tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries due to poorer waste management infrastructure.
It is impossible to say exactly how much plastic has ended up in the ocean since 1950, but it is estimated that about 8 million metric tons is added each year. That amounts to five grocery bags filled with plastic for every 1 foot of coastline on earth. Plastic trash kills ocean life – entanglement, ingestion and interactions are to blame. Microplastics are ingested by numerous species which harms their metabolic rate and growth.
To tackle the problem of plastic waste in the ocean, it is important to discourage residents from buying disposable plastics and to encourage them to recycle what they can. Coastal cleanups also make a real difference to the local ecosystem.
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Plastic waste in landfills
Plastic waste is a pressing issue, with the majority of plastic ending up in landfills or incinerated. In 2018, 91.3% of all plastic waste generated in the US was not recycled, and only 8.7% of all plastic waste was recycled. This is because recycling plastic is economically inefficient and undesirable, as it is far cheaper to make new products from scratch.
The amount of plastic waste generated annually per person varies from 221 kg in the United States to 69 kg, on average, for Japan and Korea. Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but what's most important for plastic pollution is how much of this waste is mismanaged. Mismanagement means plastic waste is at risk of leaking into the environment. Mismanaged waste tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries due to poorer waste management infrastructure.
The plastic waste problem is here to stay, with the overwhelming bulk of plastic stuck in landfills or incinerated, giving off harmful gases. The only solution is to discourage residents from buying disposable plastics and encourage them to recycle what they can. Plastic trash kills ocean life, with entanglement, ingestion, and interactions to blame. Microplastics are ingested by numerous species, harming their metabolic rate and growth. Coastal cleanups are important and make a real difference to the local ecosystem.
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Plastic waste in incineration
Plastic waste is a pressing issue, with 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste in the world, and 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. The majority of plastic is never recycled, with only 8.7% of all plastic waste being recycled in the US in 2018. Rich countries produce the most plastic waste per person, but it is the mismanagement of waste that is most critical to plastic pollution. Mismanagement, such as inadequate collection and disposal of larger plastic debris, means plastic waste is at risk of leaking into the environment. This is particularly problematic in low-to-middle-income countries, which tend to have poorer waste management infrastructure.
Incineration is one method of dealing with plastic waste. While it can be an effective way to reduce the volume of plastic waste, it also has negative consequences. Incinerating plastic waste releases harmful gases into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and climate change. It is also a significant source of toxic ash, which can contaminate soil and water if not properly disposed of.
The impact of incineration on plastic waste is complex. On one hand, it can help to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or the environment. However, the release of toxic emissions and the potential for toxic ash to contaminate the environment must be carefully considered.
To mitigate the negative impacts of plastic waste incineration, it is crucial to improve waste management practices and encourage recycling and the use of alternative materials. By reducing the amount of plastic waste generated in the first place, we can decrease the need for incineration and its associated environmental risks. Additionally, investing in better waste management infrastructure, especially in low-to-middle-income countries, can help ensure that plastic waste is properly collected, sorted, and recycled, reducing the reliance on incineration.
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Plastic waste in the US
Plastic waste is a huge problem in the US, with 221 kg of plastic waste generated per person annually. In 2018, only 8.7% of all plastic waste was recycled in the US, with 91.3% not being recycled. This is because it is far cheaper to make new products from scratch, so recycling plastic is economically inefficient.
The US is one of the countries that produces the most plastic waste per person. However, the amount of plastic waste that is mismanaged is more important for plastic pollution. Mismanagement means that plastic waste is at risk of leaking into the environment. This tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries, as they have poorer waste management infrastructure.
Despite this, plastic waste in the US is still a huge problem. In 2020 and 2021, the pandemic caused record-breaking deliveries, with plastic being a key material. Plastic trash kills ocean life, with entanglement, ingestion and interactions to blame. Microplastics are ingested by numerous species, which harms their metabolic rate and growth.
To tackle the problem of plastic waste, it is important to discourage residents from buying disposable plastics and encourage them to recycle what they can. Coastal cleanups are also important, as they make a real difference to the local ecosystem.
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Plastic waste in low-to-middle-income countries
Plastic waste is a growing environmental crisis that threatens all forms of life. There is about 8.3 billion tons of plastic in the world, with 6.3 billion tons of that being trash. While rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, the amount of mismanaged plastic waste tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries. This is because these countries tend to have poorer waste management infrastructure.
The UK, for example, has been sending plastic waste to low- and middle-income countries despite a partial ban on the practice that went into effect across the EU on 1 January 2021. This has contributed to the plastic waste problem in these countries.
A recent study by the WWF and global consulting firm Dalberg found that the lifetime cost of a kilogram of plastic for low and middle-income countries is around $150, which is eight times the $19 incurred by wealthier nations. When comparing just low-income countries and their richer counterparts, the report argues the cost differential rises to 10 times, with low-income countries facing costs of $200 per kilogram. This puts low and middle-income countries at a disadvantage as they have minimal influence on which plastic products are produced and how they are designed, yet are often expected to manage these products once they reach their end-of-life.
To address the plastic waste problem in low-to-middle-income countries, domestic policies to improve waste management will be crucial. Richer countries can also contribute through foreign investments in waste management infrastructure. Additionally, it is important to discourage residents from buying disposable plastics and encourage them to recycle what they can.
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Frequently asked questions
There is about 8.3 billion tons of plastic in the world – some 6.3 billion tons of that is trash.
In 2018, only 8.7% of all plastic waste was recycled in the US. In the same year, 91.3% of all plastic waste generated in the US was not recycled.
Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person. In 2018, plastic waste generated annually per person varied from 221 kg in the United States and 114 kg in European OECD countries to 69 kg, on average, for Japan and Korea.
