Our Daily Plastic Waste: A Troubling Reality

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue. 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. It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic are currently in our oceans, with at least 14 million tons of plastic ending up in our oceans every year.

Plastic waste in the ocean

The plastic waste in the ocean comes from a variety of sources. One major source is the plastic packaging industry, which is estimated to reach 460 million metric tons in recent years. This includes items such as plastic bags, which are used approximately 500 billion times worldwide each year, and plastic bottles, with one million plastic bottles purchased every minute worldwide. Another source of plastic waste in the ocean is the inadequate collection and disposal systems in rapidly developing middle-income countries in Asia, which are responsible for an estimated 80% of global leakage.

The impact of plastic waste in the ocean is far-reaching. As mentioned earlier, it harms plants and wildlife by contaminating the soil and waterways and entering the food chain. Additionally, plastic waste in the ocean can also affect human health. Researchers in Germany indicate that terrestrial microplastic pollution is much higher than marine microplastic pollution, estimated at four to 23 times higher depending on the environment. This means that humans can be exposed to toxic particles through the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe.

To address the issue of plastic waste in the ocean, several strategies can be implemented. These include design and reuse strategies, policy instruments such as recycled content standards and virgin resin taxes, and impact investing in plastic waste reduction innovation. By increasing the service life of plastic products and circularity, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans. Additionally, improving collection and disposal systems in countries with inadequate infrastructure can help prevent plastic pollution from reaching the oceans.

Plastic waste in landfills

Plastic waste is a huge global problem, with plastic use more than tripling since 1966. In 2019, 86% of plastic waste in the US went to landfill, with a market value of $7.2 billion. In the same year, 50% of global plastic waste went to sanitary landfills, while 22% was openly burned, sent to unsanitary dumpsites, or leaked into the environment.

The plastic that ends up in landfills is not harmless. It breaks down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. Researchers in Germany indicate that terrestrial microplastic pollution is much higher than marine microplastic pollution – estimated at four to 23 times higher, depending on the environment.

The US and Europe, which have advanced collection systems, leak 170,000 tonnes of plastics into the ocean annually. Rapidly developing middle-income countries in Asia, which often have inadequate collection systems, are responsible for an estimated 80% of global leakage.

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 metre of shoreline.

Plastic waste in incineration

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with 460 million tons of plastic waste generated in 2019. While incineration is one method of managing plastic waste, it is not without its drawbacks. In 2019, 19% of global plastic waste was incinerated, while 50% was sent to sanitary landfills, 9% was recycled, and 22% was openly burned, dumped, or leaked into the environment.

Incineration is the process of burning waste at high temperatures, and it is often used as a way to reduce the volume of waste and generate energy. However, the incineration of plastic waste can release toxic gases and pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and climate change.

The impact of plastic waste incineration can be particularly harmful in areas with inadequate waste management infrastructure. For example, rapidly developing middle-income countries in Asia, which often lack proper incineration facilities, are responsible for an estimated 80% of global plastic leakage. This leakage ends up in oceans, rivers, and landfills, causing harm to marine life and contaminating soil and waterways.

To reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste incineration, it is crucial to improve waste management practices and promote sustainable alternatives. This includes investing in recycling technologies, developing reusable products, and implementing policies to reduce plastic consumption. By addressing plastic waste at its source and promoting circular economy principles, we can minimise the need for incineration and mitigate its negative consequences.

Plastic waste in dumpsites

The plastic that ends up in landfills is not harmless. It breaks down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. In fact, research from Germany indicates that terrestrial microplastic pollution is much higher than marine microplastic pollution, estimated to be four to 23 times higher depending on the environment.

The amount of plastic waste being produced is increasing. In 2019, global plastic use was estimated to be 460 million metric tons, with this figure expected to more than triple by 2060. This is largely due to the increase in plastic packaging, with approximately 500 billion plastic bags being used worldwide each year, and one million plastic bottles being purchased every minute.

The impact of this plastic waste is devastating. Billions of items of plastic waste are choking our oceans, lakes, and rivers, and piling up on land, harming plants and wildlife. It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic are currently in our oceans, with at least 14 million tons being added every year.

Plastic waste in the food chain

Plastic waste is a significant issue, with a large amount of plastic ending up in our oceans and other waterways each year. In 2019, 86% of plastic waste in the US went to landfill, with only 5% being recycled and 9% being combusted. This is a similar picture globally, with 9% of plastic waste being recycled, 19% incinerated, 50% sent to sanitary landfills, and 22% openly burned, dumped, or leaked into the environment. This plastic waste often ends up in our oceans, with an estimated 14 million tons of plastic entering the oceans each year. As of 2022, it is estimated that there are currently 75 to 199 million tons of plastic in our oceans.

The issue of plastic waste is not just limited to the oceans. Plastic pollution is also found in our rivers, lakes, and on land. This plastic waste breaks down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. Research from Germany indicates that terrestrial microplastic pollution is much higher than marine microplastic pollution, estimated to be four to 23 times higher depending on the environment.

The sources of plastic waste are varied. A large contributor is plastic packaging, with the global plastic packaging industry producing an estimated 460 million metric tons of plastic in recent years. This is expected to more than triple by 2060, with the amount of LDPE and LLDPE used in packaging tripling, and PP, HDPE, and PET more than doubling. Another significant source of plastic waste is plastic bags, with approximately 500 billion plastic bags used worldwide each year. These bags have an average "working life" of just 15 minutes, yet they contribute to the billions of items of plastic waste that are choking our oceans, lakes, and rivers and piling up on land.

The impact of plastic waste on the food chain is significant. As mentioned earlier, plastic waste breaks down into tiny toxic particles that can be ingested by animals, including those that are consumed by humans. This means that plastic waste is entering our food chain, with potential health implications that are not yet fully understood. In addition, plastic waste can also harm plants and wildlife, further impacting the food chain.

To address the issue of plastic waste in the food chain, a range of strategies are needed. These include design and reuse strategies, along with policy instruments such as recycled content standards, virgin resin taxes, and tradable permits. Impact investing is also necessary for plastic waste reduction innovation and commercialization, with sustainability criteria guiding investment to avoid greenwashing. By implementing these strategies and taking considerable action to address plastic pollution, we can work towards reducing the amount of plastic waste entering our oceans, waterways, and food chain.

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