The Startling Truth About Plastic Waste In Landfills

Plastic pollution is a growing problem, with global plastic waste more than doubling from 2000 to 2019 to 353 million tons. The vast majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the environment, with only a small percentage being recycled. In 2018, for example, the United States sent 27 million tons of plastic to landfills, and in 2021, 85% of US plastic waste went to landfills. While recycling efforts have increased, they have not kept pace with the rapid growth in plastic production, which has doubled roughly every 15 years. This has resulted in a significant amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills each year, contributing to environmental pollution and affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

The US recycled 5-6% of its plastic waste in 2021

Plastic pollution is a growing problem, with global plastic waste more than doubling from 2000 to 2019. In 2019, 353 million tons of plastic waste were generated globally, with nearly two-thirds of this coming from plastics with lifetimes of under five years. The bulk of this waste ends up in landfills, is incinerated, or leaks into the environment, with only a small percentage being successfully recycled.

In the United States, the problem is particularly acute. Despite a reported lack of recycling facilities, plastic waste generation has increased five-fold from 1980 to 2018, with Americans generating about 218 pounds of plastic waste per person in 2018, a 263% total increase.

The recycling rate for plastic in the US has been declining in recent years. In 2021, only about 5-6% of the 40-51 million tons of plastic waste generated in the country was recycled, according to reports by Greenpeace and other environmental groups. This is a decrease from previous years, with the recycling rate at 8.7% in 2018 and 9.5% in 2014. The low level of plastic recycling is attributed to a "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable," according to Judith Enck, the president of Beyond Plastics.

The majority of US plastic waste, about 85%, ends up in landfills, while about 10% is incinerated. The low recycling rate for plastic in the US is concerning and highlights the need for better waste management and increased recycling efforts, as well as a reduction in the use of single-use plastics.

Plastic waste in the US increased five-fold from 1980 to 2018

Plastic waste is a growing global problem, with plastic pollution increasing relentlessly. The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as it did two decades ago, and it is estimated that 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced, with most of it being disposable and ending up as trash.

The United States is a major contributor to this issue, with its plastic waste generation increasing five-fold from 1980 to 2018. In 1980, the US produced 7.4 million tons of plastic waste, and by 2018, this number had grown to 35.7 million tons. This is a significant increase and is cause for concern.

The US's plastic recycling rates are low, with only 5-6% of its plastic waste being recycled in 2021, according to a report by environmental groups Beyond Plastics and The Last Beach Cleanup. This is a decrease from 2018, when the recycling rate was 8.7%. The report calls for a reduction in single-use plastic food service items, which have a high likelihood of polluting the environment.

The low recycling rates in the US can be attributed to a "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable," according to Judith Enck, the president of Beyond Plastics. The recycling symbol with three arrows is misleading, as most municipalities only recycle certain types of plastics, causing confusion among consumers.

The increase in plastic waste in the US can be attributed to several factors, including the increased use of plastic packaging, which accounts for more than 40% of non-fiber plastic. Additionally, the US exports large volumes of plastic waste to other countries, as it does not have the capacity to recycle all its waste domestically. However, with countries like China restricting foreign waste imports, the US's recycling system is under strain.

Global plastic waste generation doubled from 2000 to 2019

Plastic waste is one of the most pressing issues facing the planet today. It is found everywhere, from the highest mountains to the deepest ocean trenches, and has severe consequences for human health, ecosystems, and wildlife, particularly marine life. The problem has been exacerbated in recent decades by the ever-increasing consumption of this versatile material.

The bulk of plastic waste ends up in landfill, is incinerated, or leaks into the environment, with only 9% successfully recycled. The low recycling rate is partly due to the fact that most plastics in use today are virgin or primary plastics, made from crude oil or gas. While the production of recycled or secondary plastics has quadrupled since 2000, it still only accounts for 6% of total plastics production.

The build-up of plastics in rivers and oceans is a significant concern. There is now an estimated 30 million tonnes of plastic waste in seas and oceans, and a further 109 million tonnes in rivers. If present trends continue, the amount of plastic in landfills will reach 12 billion metric tons by 2050. This is an alarming prospect, as plastic can take up to 500 years to decompose, depending on its composition and disposal.

19% of plastic is incinerated, 50% ends up in landfill

Plastic pollution is a growing problem, with global plastic waste generation more than doubling between 2000 and 2019 to 353 million tonnes. The vast majority of this waste does not undergo recycling, despite common misconceptions that most plastics can be recycled many times over. In reality, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, with 15% collected for recycling but 40% of that disposed of as residues. This means that only 5-6% of plastic is truly recycled.

The remaining waste is dealt with in a number of ways. 19% of plastic is incinerated, 50% ends up in landfill, and 22% evades waste management systems, ending up in uncontrolled dumpsites, burned in open pits, or polluting terrestrial or aquatic environments, especially in poorer countries. In 2019, 6.1 million tonnes of plastic waste leaked into aquatic environments, with 1.7 million tonnes flowing into the oceans.

The build-up of plastics in rivers and other water sources implies that leakage into the ocean will continue for decades, even if plastic waste is significantly reduced. Bans and taxes on single-use plastics exist in over 120 countries, but these are not enough to curb pollution. Most regulations target plastic bags, which make up a tiny share of plastic waste, and are more effective at reducing littering than curbing plastic consumption.

The OECD's Global Plastics Outlook highlights the need for policies to reduce plastic leakage into the environment, as rising populations and incomes drive an increase in plastic usage and waste. Most plastic pollution comes from the inadequate collection and disposal of larger plastic debris, known as macroplastics, as well as the leakage of microplastics.

Richer countries produce the most plastic waste per person

Since 1950, humans have produced more than 8 billion tons of plastic, with more than half of this ending up in landfills. Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, with the rest incinerated, dumped in landfills, or polluting the land and sea. This plastic pollution crisis is a global issue, but it is worth noting that richer countries produce the most plastic waste per person.

A 2021 study published in Science Advances found that residents of the US and the UK produce more plastic waste per person than any other nation. Americans generate an average of 105kg of plastic per year, while the British throw away almost 99kg annually. South Korea and Germany are also in the top ten countries ranked by plastic trash per capita. These wealthier, more developed nations have higher levels of consumption, with greater access to packaged goods, takeaway services, and disposable products, all of which rely on single-use plastics.

While many high-income countries generate high amounts of plastic waste per person, they are also typically better at processing it safely. Middle-income and low-income countries that are still developing their infrastructure tend to produce a higher percentage of mismanaged waste plastic, which is more likely to end up in the ocean. For example, in 2010, China produced the largest quantity of plastic waste at 59.08 million tons, but its per capita production was one of the lowest in the world at 15.6 kilograms a year per person.

The United States, in particular, has been criticized for burning about six times more plastic waste than it recycles, increasing the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the US, along with other countries like Canada and the UK, has been known to export collected plastic waste to countries in Asia, where it is often recycled or disposed of improperly. This practice can create a distorted impression of the waste generation of both the sending and receiving countries.

To address the plastic waste crisis, it is crucial to reduce the production of single-use plastics, improve waste management practices, and increase recycling technologies. International cooperation is essential, especially in supporting lower-income countries in developing better waste management infrastructure to reduce their plastic leakage.

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