Maya Ellison
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, and the public is increasingly aware of the need to address it. However, the reality is that most plastic is not recycled, despite public efforts to put plastic into recycling bins. The recycling system is flawed, and plastic is often incompatible, costly and inefficient to sort. While specific types of plastic containers have higher recycling rates, overall, the amount of recycled plastic is small compared to the amount of plastic waste generated. The production and use of plastic are deeply entrenched, and systemic change is required to address the plastic crisis effectively.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic production and recycling rates
Plastic is a versatile and valuable material used in construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. However, when not properly managed, plastic waste becomes an environmental pollutant. The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as two decades ago, and only a small fraction of this waste is recycled.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the recycling rate of plastic in the United States was 8.7% in 2018, with 3 million tons of plastic recycled out of 35.7 million tons generated. The recycling rates for specific types of plastic containers were higher, with PET bottles and jars at 29.1% and HDPE natural bottles at 29.3%. However, overall, the amount of recycled plastics is relatively small.
On a global scale, the picture is similar. The OECD estimates that only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, while 15% is collected for recycling but not recycled due to residues. The remaining plastic waste is incinerated, landfilled, or pollutes the environment. Plastic production has quadrupled over the past 30 years, and global plastic production doubled from 2000 to 2019 to reach 460 million tons. The use of virgin plastics, made from crude oil or gas, remains prevalent, with more than 98% of single-use plastic derived from fossil fuels.
The challenges of recycling plastic are significant. The variety of plastic types makes sorting and processing labor-intensive and costly. Scalable recycling options are limited, and waste management systems vary across regions, with incineration common in Europe and landfilling prevalent in the United States. Improving waste management strategies and transitioning to systems of reuse and refill are crucial to reducing plastic pollution. Bans and taxes on single-use plastics exist in over 120 countries, but more comprehensive action and international cooperation are needed to address the growing problem of plastic waste.
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Plastic pollution in the environment
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of synthetic plastic products in the environment to the extent that they create problems for wildlife, their habitats, and human populations. Plastic pollution is a relatively new phenomenon but has grown exponentially over the past decades, from 1.5 million metric tons in 1950 to 413.8 million metric tons in 2023. Out of the 8.3 billion tons of plastics produced since the 1950s, 79% have ended up in landfills or leaked into the environment.
The primary source of plastic pollution is the improper disposal of single-use plastic products and packaging materials, which account for approximately 50% of all plastics produced. These lightweight plastics often end up littering landscapes, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, with plastic waste now being considered so ubiquitous that scientists suggest it could serve as a geological indicator of the Anthropocene era. Population centres generate the most litter, and once plastic waste enters the environment, it can be transported around the world by wind and water.
The EPA measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling of plastic materials in municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, the total generation of MSW in the United States was 292.4 million tons, of which 35.7 million tons (12.2%) were plastic. While the recycling of some specific types of plastic containers is more significant, the overall amount of recycled plastics is relatively small, with a recycling rate of 8.7% in 2018.
Plastic pollution has severe consequences for wildlife and their habitats. Animals can mistake plastic for food, leading to digestive tract blockages or organ piercings, causing death. Plastic waste can also flood low-lying areas by clogging drainage systems, and it can cause entanglement, starvation, and strangulation in larger animals. Nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to be affected by plastics, and microplastics have been found in more than 100 aquatic species.
To combat plastic pollution, governments and organisations have taken several steps. For instance, California passed legislation to ban all plastic bags by 2026, and the EPA released the "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution," which focuses on eliminating the release of plastic pollution into the environment. Additionally, World Environment Day in 2023 focused on solutions to plastic pollution, using the hashtag and slogan #BeatPlasticPollution.
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Plastic waste management systems
The plastic waste management landscape involves various challenges and strategies. Firstly, most plastic emissions come from middle-income countries due to the increasing plastic consumption and inadequate waste management systems. This highlights the need for better waste collection and disposal systems to prevent plastic from contaminating the air, soil, and water. Secondly, recycling plastic is challenging due to the material's nature, and the process can be time-intensive and expensive. Mechanical recycling, the most common method, involves grinding, melting, and reforming plastic, but proper sorting and cleaning are critical to preventing defects and contaminants. Recycling certain types of plastic containers, such as PET bottles and jars, has been more successful, with recycling rates of 29.1% in 2018. However, overall recycling rates are relatively low, with only 14% of plastic waste collected for recycling and an 8.7% recycling rate in the United States in 2018.
To improve plastic waste management, several strategies are being explored. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) plans, implemented in Europe and Ghana, require producers of plastic packaging to provide funding for managing these materials after their initial use. Local policies and investments in recycling programs can also make a significant difference, as seen in Maine and Oregon, where up to 80% of PET bottles are recycled. Additionally, international efforts are underway, with the United Nations Environment Assembly working towards a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
While recycling is an important part of plastic waste management, it is not sufficient to solve the plastic crisis alone. Reducing plastic production, especially single-use plastics, is crucial, as recycling cannot keep up with the increasing plastic waste generation. Therefore, a combination of improved waste management systems, recycling efforts, and reduced plastic production is necessary to address the complex issue of plastic pollution effectively.
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Plastic recycling as greenwashing
Plastic recycling is often touted as a solution to the plastic crisis, but it is important to recognize that this may be a form of greenwashing. While recycling can play a role in reducing plastic waste, it is not a cure-all solution, and the plastic industry's emphasis on recycling may distract from the need for more systemic changes.
The plastic industry has a history of engaging in deceptive advertising campaigns and greenwashing to promote the recyclability of their products. For example, an investigation by NPR and PBS Frontline revealed that the oil and gas industry used the promise of recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it would not work on a large scale. The industry has spent millions promoting recycling, not necessarily because they believe in it, but because it helps them sell more plastic. This is evident in the quote from Larry Thomas, former president of the Society of the Plastics Industry: "If the public thinks that recycling is working, then they are not going to be as concerned about the environment."
In reality, plastic is not truly recyclable in the long run. Most plastics cannot be recycled, and even when they are, it is often downcycled, meaning they are mixed with new plastics and toxic chemicals to produce low-value items. These recycled plastics are notoriously contaminated, leading to significant wastefulness and the concentration of toxins in recycled items, which can leach out during use and disposal. Additionally, the process of recycling plastic requires water and energy resources, toxic additives, and new plastics, causing pollution and environmental injustice.
Furthermore, recycling does not address the core issue of continued plastic production. As Marcus Eriksen, a marine scientist and co-founder of the 5 Gyres Institute, states, "There have to be drastic cuts in production," especially of single-use plastics. Dozens of studies and reports from organizations like the United Nations and the National Academy of Sciences conclude that increases in the production of virgin plastics will overwhelm any gains made through recycling. Therefore, while recycling can be a part of the solution, it is not enough on its own.
To combat greenwashing and promote genuine sustainability, it is important to look beyond recycling and focus on reducing plastic consumption and production. This includes advocating for extended producer responsibility (EPR) plans, which require producers of plastic bottles and packaging to provide funding for the management of these materials after their initial use. It also involves supporting the development and use of sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics, such as compostable, regenerative, and non-toxic materials. By addressing the root causes of plastic pollution and not relying solely on recycling, we can work towards a more sustainable future.
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Plastic alternatives and solutions
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, and with good reason. Only 9% of plastic produced is recycled, and it can take hundreds, if not thousands of years, for plastic to biodegrade. This has led to an urgent demand for biodegradable plastic alternatives.
One alternative to traditional plastic is bioplastics, which are typically made from renewable sources such as plants, starches, and sugars. One of the most advanced bioplastic materials is Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which is a completely compostable solution, biodegradable in all types of natural environments. Single-use straws made of PHA, for example, will degrade in just 90 days when buried in soil and 180 days in the ocean, compared to the 200 years it takes for a traditional plastic straw to degrade.
Another alternative is coconut, which is environmentally benign and adaptable. Combs, cutlery, candle shells, bowls, mugs, and eco-friendly gift baskets can be made from coconuts, and the recycling process for coconuts is relatively straightforward.
Bamboo is another eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to plastic. Bamboo is a grass and one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. It is also exceptionally robust and simple to cultivate. Bamboo can be used to make a wide variety of items, including cutlery, tissues, stationery, serving trays, workout towels, and planters.
Other alternatives to plastic include glass, stainless steel, paper, cardboard, and pottery or other fired ceramics. Glass is inert, recyclable, and can be upcycled, although it requires more energy to produce than plastic and is heavier to transport. Stainless steel is tough, easy to clean, and can be used for food and beverage storage, lunch boxes, and kitchen storage. Paper and cardboard are recyclable, but paper cannot be recycled infinitely, and cardboard is often coated in plastic. Pottery and other fired ceramics are stable, waterproof, and good for food storage and tableware, but they require resource extraction.
In addition to these alternatives, it is important to reduce plastic waste by reusing and refilling packaging and buying unpackaged products.
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Frequently asked questions
Only a small amount of plastic is recycled. In 2018, the recycling rate in the US was 8.7%, and in 2021, the rate was between 5% and 6%.
There are several reasons why more plastic isn't recycled. Firstly, it is often cheaper for brands to throw away plastic packaging than to recycle it due to the low cost of raw materials and the price of plastic. Additionally, the recycling process itself is costly and requires robust sorting systems, cleaning, and melting, which consumes energy. Furthermore, some plastics cannot be recycled due to their composition, and local infrastructure may prevent proper recycling.
To increase plastic recycling, systemic change is required. This includes addressing the price disparity between virgin and recycled plastic, caused by fossil fuel subsidies, and reducing the use of flexible packaging, which is challenging to recycle. Additionally, innovative solutions, such as refill and reuse schemes, new recycling methods, and extended producer responsibility plans, can help improve recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution.
Low plastic recycling rates have significant environmental impacts. Most plastic waste, approximately 91%, is incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged, leading to pollution and environmental degradation. It is estimated that by 2050, 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste will accumulate in landfills, emphasizing the urgent need to address this global issue.
