Plastic Dinnerware: The Waste Crisis On Our Tables

Plastic waste is a growing concern, with billions of items choking our oceans, lakes, and rivers, and piling up on land. In 2019, only 9% of global plastic waste was recycled, with the rest incinerated, sent to landfill, or leaked into the environment. The plastic waste problem is particularly acute in rapidly developing middle-income countries in Asia, which are responsible for an estimated 80% of global leakage. The use of disposable plastic dinnerware contributes to this problem, with the cost of purchasing disposable plates adding up over time.

The cost of disposable plates

The billions of plastic items choking our oceans, lakes, and rivers are not only unsightly but also harmful to plants and wildlife. In 2019, 50% of global plastic waste was sent to sanitary landfills, and 22% was openly burned, sent to unsanitary dumpsites, or leaked into the environment.

The production of plastic also has environmental costs. Over 99% of plastic resin produced globally is derived from fossil-based feedstocks, and this production represents around 8% of global annual oil and gas use. Projections based on current growth rates indicate that life-cycle GHG emissions from plastics could reach 15% of the global carbon budget by 2050.

Therefore, while the initial cost of disposable plates may seem low, the true cost is much higher when considering the environmental impact.

The environmental impact of plastic waste

Plastic waste is a growing problem, with billions of items choking our oceans, lakes, and rivers, and piling up on land. In 2019, only 9% of global plastic waste was recycled, with 19% incinerated, 50% sent to sanitary landfills, and 22% openly burned, dumped in unsanitary sites, or leaked into the environment. Rapidly developing middle-income countries in Asia, which often have inadequate collection systems, are responsible for an estimated 80% of global leakage. The U.S. and Europe, which have advanced collection systems, still leak 170,000 tons of plastics into the ocean annually.

The impact of this plastic pollution is far-reaching. Ocean plastic pollution impacts over 800 species of marine organisms, affecting all sea turtle species, 40% of cetacean species, and 44% of marine bird species. Plastic bottles and disposable diapers take over 450 years to biodegrade in oceans.

The production of plastic also has environmental implications. Over 99% of plastic resin produced globally is derived from fossil-based feedstocks, and this production represents around 8% of global annual oil and gas use. Projections based on current growth rates indicate that life-cycle GHG emissions from plastics could reach 15% of the global carbon budget by 2050.

Electronic waste (e-waste) is another concern, with a global annual growth rate of 3%–4%. In 2017, 2.6Mt of selected consumer electronics appeared in MSW in the U.S. with plastic contents of 20% to 33%. If efficient recovery methods become available, up to 2.5Mt of polycarbonates could be recovered from e-waste globally each year.

The recycling of plastic waste

Plastic recycling is the processing of plastic waste into other products. Recycling can reduce dependence on landfills, conserve resources, save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to the economy, and create jobs. It also helps keep plastic waste out of the environment. However, recycling rates lag behind those of other recoverable materials, such as aluminium, glass and paper. From the start of plastic production through to 2015, the world produced around 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste, only 9% of which has been recycled and only ~1% has been recycled more than once. Of the remaining waste, 12% was incinerated and 79% was either sent to landfills or lost to the environment as pollution.

In some countries, burning is the dominant form of plastic waste disposal, particularly where landfill diversion policies are in place. Plastic recycling is low in the waste hierarchy, meaning that reduction and reuse are more favourable and long-term solutions for sustainability. It has been advocated since the early 1970s, but due to economic and technical challenges, it did not impact the management of plastic waste to any significant extent until the late 1980s. The plastics industry has been criticised for lobbying for the expansion of recycling programmes, even while research showed that most plastic could not be economically recycled. This has resulted in occasions where plastic waste dropped into recycling bins has not been recycled, and has been treated as general waste.

Almost all recycling is mechanical and involves the melting and reforming of plastic into other items. This can cause polymer degradation at the molecular level, and requires that waste be sorted by colour and polymer type before processing, which is often complicated and expensive. Errors can lead to material with inconsistent properties, rendering it unappealing to industry. Though filtration in mechanical recycling reduces microplastic release, even the most efficient filtration systems cannot prevent the release of microplastics into wastewater. In feedstock recycling, waste plastic is converted into its starting chemicals, which can then become fresh plastic. This involves higher energy and capital costs.

The global plastics industry has reached an estimated 460 million metric tons in recent years, with 75 to 199 million tons of plastic currently in our oceans. One million plastic bottles are purchased every minute worldwide, while up to five trillion plastic bags are used annually. The U.S. and Europe, which have advanced collection systems, leak 170,000 tons of plastics into the ocean annually. The flow of plastic into the ocean is projected to nearly triple by 2040. Without considerable action to address plastic pollution, 50 kg of plastic will enter the ocean for every meter of shoreline.

The impact of plastic waste on marine life

Plastic waste is a huge threat to marine life. Billions of items of plastic waste are choking our oceans, lakes and rivers, and piling up on land. It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic are currently in our oceans, with up to 13 million tons of plastic waste entering the ocean each year.

The ocean is the most vulnerable environment to plastic waste. Once plastic enters the sea, it can be carried by waves and storms to even the furthest reaches of the ocean, where it accumulates into large gyres on the high seas or becomes embedded in shorelines and delicate coastal ecosystems. It has even been found on uninhabited islands. Over time, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming smaller than a grain of sand. This makes retrieving plastics from the ocean almost impossible.

Plastic pollution is deadly to ocean wildlife. It is estimated that marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species. Fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals can become entangled in plastic debris, causing suffocation, starvation, and drowning. They can also ingest plastic, which can lead to slow and painful starvation, internal injuries, and fatalities. None of the ocean’s inhabitants are safe – not the largest whales nor the smallest fish. Sea turtles struggle to differentiate plastics from prey, whales accidentally gulp down balloons when feeding, and some seabirds have been consuming so much plastic pollution that the medical term 'plasticosis' was coined.

The flow of plastic into the ocean is projected to nearly triple by 2040. Without considerable action to address plastic pollution, 50 kg of plastic will enter the ocean for every meter of shoreline.

The alternatives to disposable plastic dinnerware

Plastic waste is a huge problem, with billions of items of plastic waste choking our oceans, lakes and rivers. In 2019, 9% of global plastic waste was recycled, 19% was incinerated, about 50% was sent to sanitary landfills, and 22% was openly burned, sent to unsanitary dumpsites, or leaked into the environment. Rapidly developing middle-income countries in Asia, which often have inadequate collection systems, are responsible for an estimated 80% of global leakage. The U.S. and Europe, which have advanced collection systems, leak 170,000 t of plastics into the ocean annually. The flow of plastic into the ocean is projected to nearly triple by 2040. Without considerable action to address plastic pollution, 50 kg of plastic will enter the ocean for every meter of shoreline.

There are several alternatives to disposable plastic dinnerware. One option is to use reusable dinnerware made from materials such as bamboo, wood, or plant fibres. These materials are biodegradable and compostable, so they won't contribute to the growing problem of plastic waste. Another option is to use dinnerware made from recycled materials. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or the ocean. There are also some innovative companies creating dinnerware from unusual materials, such as rice husks or orange peels. These products are often biodegradable and compostable as well.

Reusable dinnerware can be more expensive upfront, but it can save money in the long run. For example, a dishwasher for a 50-seat operation costs on average $1,800, but the money saved from not purchasing disposable plates and decreasing trash pick-up will offset the purchase over time.

In addition to the environmental benefits, reusable dinnerware can also be more aesthetically pleasing and provide a better dining experience. It can be heavier and more durable, making it less likely to break or spill. This can be especially important for special events or occasions where you want to create a certain atmosphere.

When choosing alternatives to disposable plastic dinnerware, it's important to consider the specific needs and constraints of your situation. For example, if you're hosting a large event, you may need to balance the environmental benefits of reusable dinnerware with the practical considerations of cleaning and storing the dishes. However, there are rental companies that provide reusable dinnerware and handle the cleaning and storage for you, which can be a convenient and environmentally friendly option.

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