The Plastic Problem: Humans' Trash Impact

Humans throw away a lot of plastic. In the US, people throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day, and 91% of this is plastic. In 2017, packaging production was the highest-demanded use for plastic, with 146 million metric tons used. It's estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of plastic is for single-use purposes.

Americans throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day

Humans are addicted to plastic, a material that is nearly indestructible. We produce over 380 million tons of plastic every year, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. It is estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year.

In the US, Americans throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day. This amounts to nearly 1,800 pounds of materials per American every year. The majority of waste (62%) discarded by homes and businesses in the US is ultimately dumped into landfills or burned in incinerators. In 2018, more than 91% of plastic was landfilled or incinerated. Every 15.5 hours, Americans throw out enough plastic to fill the largest NFL stadium in the country, AT&T Stadium. The pile grows larger every year.

The US threw out over 292 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2018. This includes materials discarded by homes, businesses and institutions, such as universities and libraries. Americans alone throw away around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year. In 2017, packaging production constituted the highest-demanded use for plastic, with 146 million metric tons used.

More than 91% of plastic was landfilled or incinerated in 2018

Humans throw out a lot of plastic. In the US, Americans throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day, which is nearly 1,800 pounds of materials per American every year. In 2018, more than 91% of plastic was landfilled or incinerated. This means that every 15.5 hours, Americans throw out enough plastic to fill the largest NFL stadium in the country, AT&T Stadium, and the pile grows larger every year.

In 2017, packaging production was the highest-demanded use for plastic, with 146 million metric tons used. At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of plastic is for single-use purposes. It is estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year.

The world produces more than 26 million US tons of polystyrene (plastic foam) each year, and Americans alone throw away around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year.

More than 10 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year

Humans throw out a lot of plastic. In the US, Americans throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day, which adds up to nearly 1,800 pounds of materials per American every year. In 2018, more than 91% of plastic was landfilled or incinerated in the US. Every 15.5 hours, Americans throw out enough plastic to fill the largest NFL stadium in the country, AT&T Stadium, and the pile grows larger every year.

The world produces more than 26 million US tons of polystyrene (plastic foam) each year, and Americans alone throw away around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year. In 2017, packaging production was the highest-demanded use for plastic, with 146 million metric tons used.

It’s estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of plastic is for single-use purposes. In 2018 alone, the US threw out over 292 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) — the materials discarded by homes, businesses and institutions, such as universities and libraries.

25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups are thrown away by Americans every year

Humans are addicted to plastic, a nearly indestructible material. We produce over 380 million tons of plastic every year, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. It is estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year.

In the context of the above, it is not surprising that Americans throw away around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year. Styrofoam is a type of plastic foam, also known as polystyrene. Americans throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day, which amounts to nearly 1,800 pounds of materials per American every year. The majority of waste (62%) discarded by homes and businesses in the U.S. is ultimately dumped into landfills or burned in incinerators. More than 91% of plastic was landfilled or incinerated in 2018.

Styrofoam is particularly harmful to the environment. When it ends up in landfills, it breaks down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. Many countries lack the infrastructure to prevent plastic pollution, such as sanitary landfills, incineration facilities, recycling capacity, and circular economy infrastructure.

The proliferation of plastic products in the last several decades has been extraordinary. Plastic is cheap and incredibly versatile, with properties that make it ideal for many applications. However, our "disposable" lifestyle has led to an environmental crisis, with plastic waste accumulating in our oceans and landfills. It is essential to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and transition to more sustainable alternatives to protect our planet for future generations.

50% of plastic is used just once

Humans are addicted to plastic, a nearly indestructible material. We produce over 380 million tons of plastic every year, and up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. That means that 50% of plastic is used just once, and then thrown away.

In the US, Americans throw out 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day, which is nearly 1,800 pounds of materials per American every year. In 2018, more than 91% of plastic was landfilled or incinerated. Every 15.5 hours, Americans throw out enough plastic to fill the largest NFL stadium in the country, AT&T Stadium.

In 2017, packaging production constituted the highest-demanded use for plastic, with 146 million metric tons used. Americans alone throw away around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year. It’s estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year. Many countries lack the infrastructure to prevent plastic pollution, such as sanitary landfills, incineration facilities, and recycling capacity.

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