Plastic Pollution: Landfills And The Environmental Crisis

Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, with plastic waste accumulating in landfills and the natural environment. Since the mass production of plastics began around 60 years ago, human activity has generated 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic, with half of all plastic manufactured becoming trash within a year. The vast majority of this waste, approximately 79%, ends up in landfills or the environment as litter, with only 9% being recycled. In the United States alone, it is estimated that there are between 32.2 and 44 million metric tons of plastic waste, with 85% of plastic waste going to landfills in 2021. The amount of plastic waste in landfills correlates with population size, with California, Texas, and Florida, the three most populous states, also having the largest amount of landfilled plastic waste.

Plastic waste in the US in 2019: 44 million metric tons

Plastic waste is a growing problem in the United States. In 2019, the U.S. generated an estimated 73 million metric tons of plastic waste, which equates to more than 220 kilograms per person. This was roughly five times the global average per capita. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) calculated that the amount of plastic waste in the U.S. in 2019 was 44 million metric tons. Using a different methodology, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated a lower figure of 32.2 million metric tons.

The discrepancy in the estimates can be attributed to the different methodologies used by NREL and the EPA. NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. Their research provides valuable insights into the magnitude of the plastic waste problem in the U.S. and highlights the need for better understanding and management of plastic resources.

The EPA measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling of plastic materials in municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, the EPA reported that plastic generation was 35.7 million tons, an increase of 4.3 million tons from 2010. This accounted for 12.2% of MSW generation, with containers and packaging as the main source of plastic waste. The containers and packaging category alone accounted for over 14.5 million tons of plastic in 2018.

Despite efforts to improve recycling rates, the domestic plastic recycling rate in the U.S. has largely stagnated. In 2018, the recycling rate for plastics was 8.7%, and it decreased to 5-6% in 2021. This is significantly lower than the paper recycling rate, which reached 68.2% in 2018. The low recycling rate for plastics is attributed to a "decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable." As a result, the majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills, with an estimated 80-85% of plastic waste being sent to landfill sites in 2021.

Plastic in landfills and natural environments: 4.9 billion metric tons

The mass production of plastics has resulted in a staggering amount of plastic waste, with a significant portion ending up in landfills and the natural environment. According to a global estimate, the current amount of plastic debris in these locations is about 4.9 billion metric tons. This waste primarily consists of disposable products with short lifespans, such as plastic packaging and containers, which contribute to the ever-growing mountain of trash.

The fate of plastic waste typically falls into three categories: recycling, thermal destruction, and landfills. Unfortunately, the recycling rate for plastics is notoriously low. In the United States, for instance, the recycling rate for plastics was only 8.7% in 2018, and it has since decreased, with a mere 5-6% recycling rate in 2021. This means that a vast majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, contributing to environmental pollution and waste management issues.

The accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and natural environments has severe consequences. Firstly, plastics are not biodegradable, meaning they persist in the environment for extended periods. Secondly, the presence of plastics in these settings poses a significant threat to wildlife and ecosystems. Animals may mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion and entanglement, causing harm or even death. Additionally, plastics can break down into microplastics, which can contaminate soil and water sources, further endangering the environment and human health.

The magnitude of the problem is evident in the sheer volume of plastic waste generated. Since the mass production of plastics began six decades ago, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced, with 6.3 billion metric tons becoming waste. Of this waste, only 9% has been recycled, while the remaining 79% accumulates in landfills and the natural environment. If current trends persist, the amount of plastic waste in landfills and natural environments is projected to surpass 12 billion metric tons by 2050, highlighting the urgency of addressing this global issue.

Plastic waste management: 9% recycled, 12% incinerated, 79% in landfills

Plastic waste is a significant global issue, with only a small fraction of the total amount produced being recycled. According to the OECD, of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic produced, 6.3 billion metric tons have become waste, and only 9% of that is recycled. The remaining waste is primarily disposed of in landfills (79%) or incinerated (12%).

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling of plastic materials in municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, plastics generation was 35.7 million tons in the US, with 3 million tons recycled, giving an 8.7% recycling rate. Landfills received 27 million tons of plastic, or 18.5% of all MSW landfilled. The EPA's data also shows that containers and packaging are the largest source of plastic tonnage, with over 14.5 million tons in 2018, including bags, sacks, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and other containers.

The management of plastic waste is a complex issue. While some types of plastic, such as PET and high-density polyethylene, are separated and recycled, they still represent a significant percentage of plastics found in landfills. The low recycling rate is due in part to the inadequate collection and disposal of larger plastic debris, known as macroplastics, and the leakage of microplastics (synthetic polymers smaller than 5 mm in diameter). Bans and taxes on single-use plastics exist in over 120 countries but have been ineffective in curbing overall pollution.

The energy embodied in plastic waste is significant, equating to about 12% of the country's energy consumption by the industrial sector. Scientists at the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) calculated that the energy value of landfilled plastic waste in 2019 was enough to supply 5% of the power used by the transportation sector or 5.5% by the industrial sector. The market value of this landfilled plastic is estimated to be $7.2 billion on average.

Plastic waste in oceans: 1-2 million tons per year

The world produces around 350 million tons of plastic waste each year, with 500 million tons according to another source. However, the exact amount of plastic waste in landfills is difficult to determine. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are 32.2 million metric tons of plastic waste in US landfills, while scientists at the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) put the figure at 44 million metric tons.

Regardless of the exact amount, the issue of plastic waste in landfills is closely linked to the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. It is estimated that between 1 and 2 million tons of plastic enter our oceans each year, with some sources giving a range of 1 to 1.7 million tons. This plastic waste comes from a variety of sources, including rivers, coasts, and mismanaged waste.

The OECD Global Plastics Outlook estimates that 1.7 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans, with 1.4 million tons coming from rivers and 0.3 million tons from coastlines. Another study by Lebreton, Egger, and Slat reached a similar conclusion, finding that most of the large plastics that enter the ocean are washed up, buried, and resurfaced along shorelines. This waste can persist and accumulate over long periods, with some plastics over 15 years old.

The fate of plastics once they enter the ocean has puzzled researchers. While it is easy to picture plastics floating in the open sea, this is likely only a fraction of the total plastic in the ocean. In fact, it is estimated that 1.5 million tons of the plastic that enters the ocean remains close to the shoreline, with 0.2 million tons sinking to the seabed and less than 0.1 million tons transported offshore on the surface.

The amount of plastic waste in the ocean is a critical environmental issue. While it may be challenging to determine the exact quantity of plastic pollution, it is clear that improving the management of plastic waste is essential to tackling this global problem.

Plastic waste by country: higher in low-to-middle-income countries

While the amount of plastic waste varies across the world, it tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries. This is due to a variety of factors, including a lack of waste management infrastructure and the high cost of dealing with plastic waste. According to a WWF-commissioned report, the true cost of plastic for low- and middle-income countries can be as much as 10 times higher than for high-income countries, despite the former consuming almost three times less plastic per capita.

The report estimates that the total lifetime cost of a kilogram of plastic is around $150 in low- and middle-income countries, compared to $19/kilogram in high-income countries. This cost differential is due in part to the fact that low- and middle-income countries have minimal influence on the design and production of plastic products, yet are expected to manage these products at the end of their life cycles. This places a significant strain on their resources, as they often lack the technical and financial resources for effective waste management.

Richer countries can contribute to improving waste management in low-to-middle-income countries through foreign investments in waste management infrastructure. Domestic policies in these countries are also crucial. For example, Germany introduced a five-point plan in 2018 that helped to reduce the country's plastic waste. Brazil, on the other hand, is the fourth-largest producer of plastic waste in the world, but only recycles about 1.28% of it. As a result, the majority of its plastic waste ends up in landfills or polluting the land and sea.

The United States is another major contributor to plastic waste, with 35.7 million tons of plastic waste generated in 2018, and it burns about six times more plastic waste than it recycles. The U.S. also exports its plastic waste to countries in Asia, where it is often improperly recycled or disposed of. California, Texas, and Florida, the three most populous states in the U.S., also have the largest amount of landfilled plastic waste.

Frequently asked questions