Us Plastic Production: A Startling Overview

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, and the United States is a leading contributor. In 2023, North America accounted for 17% of global plastic materials production, with US plastic production totalling 130 billion pounds. The US is one of the biggest producers and users of plastic products, with plastic waste increasing five-fold between 1980 and 2018. The country's plastic waste exports have decreased as other countries, such as China, have stopped accepting its waste. This has resulted in the US contributing millions of metric tons of plastic to global pollution levels, with a significant portion ending up in coastal environments.

Plastic waste in the US

Plastic waste is a pressing issue in the US, with the country being one of the largest producers and users of plastic products. In 2023, North America accounted for 17% of global plastic materials production, with US plastic production totalling 130 billion pounds. The US plastic industry is the third-largest manufacturing industry in the country, providing over one million jobs.

The amount of plastic used in the US has tripled since the 1980s, with over 80 million metric tons of plastic used annually. A significant portion of this ends up as waste, contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution. Plastic waste in the US has increased fivefold between 1980 and 2018, with 35.7 million tons of plastic waste produced in 2018. The improper disposal of plastic waste has polluted the environment, as standard plastic is not biodegradable. As a result, plastic waste is piling up in landfills, oceans, and other places, contributing to climate change and causing harm to marine life.

The US is the leading contributor to ocean plastic pollution, with a significant amount of plastic waste ending up in coastal environments. Between 2 and 3% of plastic waste generated in the US in 2016 was discarded as litter or illegally dumped, contributing 2.25 million metric tons of plastic to global pollution levels. Of this, 1.5 million metric tons ended up in coastal environments, which is five times more than in 2010.

The low level of plastic recycling in the US exacerbates the problem of plastic waste. In 2021, only 5% of US plastic waste was recycled, with the rest going to landfills. While paper recycling has increased over time, plastic recycling rates remain low due to a "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable." The recycling symbol consisting of three arrows is misleading, as most municipalities only recycle certain types of plastics. As a result, when residents mix recyclable and non-recyclable plastics, the entire load often ends up in landfills or incineration.

To address the issue of plastic waste in the US, experts recommend reducing the use of single-use plastics, developing innovative packaging and delivery methods, and improving recycling rates.

Plastic pollution in oceans

The United States is a major player in the global plastics industry, with many of the world's largest plastic manufacturers based in the country. In 2023, North America accounted for 17% of global plastic materials production, with US plastic production totalling 130 billion pounds. The US contributed 2.25 million metric tons of plastic to global pollution levels in 2016, 1.5 million of which ended up in coastal environments.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. Thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals are killed each year due to ingestion or entanglement in plastic. A study found that half of the sea turtles worldwide had ingested plastic, leading to internal injuries and starvation. Plastic pollution also affects the reproduction of some species.

The problem of plastic pollution in oceans is expected to worsen. With the fossil fuel industry planning to increase plastic production, more plastic will inevitably end up in the oceans. It is projected that by 2050, plastic will outweigh all the fish in the sea.

To address this crisis, urgent action is needed. Reducing single-use plastics, improving recycling rates, and treating plastic pollution as hazardous waste are some of the necessary steps. Large-scale, systemic change led by governments and industries is crucial to tackling this global issue.

Plastic recycling rates

The low recycling rates are due to the fact that most plastic is not widely accepted for recycling and is not recyclable. Even plastic bottles and jugs, which are long considered recyclable, fall short of the 30% recycling rate needed to meet the definition of recyclable by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's new plastic economy initiative. The US, like many countries, previously exported millions of tons of plastic waste to China and counted it as recycled, even though much of it was burned or dumped. After China stopped accepting plastic waste in 2018, the shortfall in capacity was never recouped, and plastic use continued to rise.

The US Plastics Pact aims to address the low recycling rates by defining a list of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging to be eliminated by 2025. They also aim to make 100% of plastic packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025 and to recycle or compost 50% of plastic packaging by 2025. Additionally, they are working to increase the use of post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging and improve technologies to make the recycling process more efficient.

Despite these efforts, the plastic recycling crisis in the US continues to worsen. The industry plans to triple plastic production by 2050, which will further strain recycling capabilities. Environmental advocates have criticized companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, and Unilever for their mass production of single-use plastic and greenwashing claims about plastic recycling.

Plastic production in 2023

The plastic production industry in the US faced several challenges in 2023. The industry experienced a probable 1.7% decrease in its workforce, with an estimated 608,000 employees in November, declining to 607,500 by December. This was reflective of broader manufacturing sector labour supply constraints. There was also a projected 8.8% decrease in exports based on dollar value, with year-to-date exports until October declining by 13.2% compared to 2022.

The US imported plastics machinery worth $1.8 billion, with projected import values of $129.4 million and $150.1 million for October and November, respectively. However, the total imports for the year decreased by 4.4% compared to 2022, indicating a potential decline in plastics product manufacturing.

The versatility of plastic has led to its widespread use and displacement of other materials such as wood, metal, and glass. It is used in packaging, durable goods like appliances and furniture, and nondurable goods like disposable diapers and trash bags. The plastic production process involves acquiring raw materials, synthesizing a basic polymer, compounding it into a usable fraction, and moulding or shaping the plastic.

The US plastic industry's growth in real value-added exceeded that of the entire manufacturing sector in 2022, generating over a million jobs and $548 billion in shipments. Texas led in employment, while Indiana had the highest concentration of plastic industry workers.

Plastic consumption

The US has played a major role in the global plastics industry, housing many of the world's largest plastic manufacturers. In 2023, North America accounted for 17% of global plastic materials production, with US plastics production totalling 130 billion pounds. The US also exported significant amounts of plastic waste, contributing to global pollution levels.

While plastic has various applications, from food packaging to technological innovations, its improper disposal has polluted the environment. Plastic waste ends up in landfills, oceans, and other places, leading to hazardous consequences for marine life and contributing to climate change by emitting greenhouse gases. The impact of plastic waste has been recognised, with calls for reducing single-use plastics, improving recycling rates, and developing innovative packaging and delivery methods.

The amount of plastic waste in the US correlates with population size, with California, Texas, and Florida, the most populous states, also having the largest amount of landfilled plastic waste. The problem is further exacerbated by the limited recycling capabilities of the US, with plastic waste increasing five-fold from 1980 to 2018. The recycling symbol on plastic products has been deemed misleading, and the contamination of recyclable plastics with non-recyclable ones often leads to entire loads being sent to landfills or incineration.

To address the issue of plastic consumption and waste, it is essential to reduce the use of single-use plastics, improve recycling infrastructure, and encourage the use of reusable alternatives. By doing so, we can minimise the environmental impact of plastic waste and improve the sustainability of our consumption habits.

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