Plastic Burning: An Annual Environmental Catastrophe

Plastic waste is a pressing issue facing the planet, with plastic pollution found everywhere, from the tallest mountains to the deepest ocean trenches. Humans currently produce more than 350 million metric tons of plastic waste per year, and the consumption of plastic continues to rise. A significant portion of this waste is burned, with recent studies showing that about 12% of all plastic waste produced in cities is burned in the open air. This open burning of plastic has severe consequences for human health and the environment, releasing toxic chemicals and fine particulate pollution that contribute to health issues and climate change. The world is struggling to manage plastic pollution effectively, and it is crucial to address this problem to mitigate the harmful impacts on our planet and our health.

Plastic burning in the US

Plastic burning is a global issue, with an estimated 70 million metric tons of plastic burned worldwide each year. The United States contributes to this issue, with a reported 12% of all plastic in the US being burned. This is due in part to the country's waste disposal system, which includes incineration as a method of waste management.

In 2018, the US recycled only about 2% of its municipal plastic waste domestically, while burning more than six times that amount. This ratio may be higher, as cities may be reluctant to publicize that plastic is being incinerated instead of recycled. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that in 2018, the total amount of plastics combusted in municipal solid waste (MSW) was 5.6 million tons, or 16.3% of all MSW combusted with energy recovery that year.

The EPA measures the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling of plastic materials in MSW. In 2018, the US generated 35.7 million tons of plastics, or 12.2% of MSW generation. The recycling rate for plastic containers and bottles was higher, with a rate of 29.1-29.3% in 2018. However, plastic recycling itself creates waste, with only about 20.9% of recycled PET bottles being converted into recycled material due to contamination and process losses.

The burning of plastic has grave consequences for human health and the environment. It releases toxic chemicals and fine particulate pollution, which have been linked to various health issues, including heart disease, respiratory disorders, neurological problems, headaches, nausea, rashes, and damage to the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Plastic burning also contributes to climate change, as the power generated from burning plastic has a higher lifecycle carbon footprint than renewable energy sources.

Plastic burning in India

India’s municipalities burned approximately 5.8 million metric tons of plastic in 2020. This figure represents about 12% of the global plastic waste produced in cities annually. The open burning of plastic has severe health and environmental implications, and India is facing significant challenges in addressing this issue.

Delhi, the Indian capital with a population of over 7 million people, has gained notoriety as the "air pollution capital" of the world. A study published in Nature Geoscience found that the burning of plastic waste, particularly the release of toxic dioxins, contributes to the city's severe air pollution. The particulate matter in Delhi's air caused 12,000 excess deaths in 2017 alone, and the increased ground-level ozone from plastic burning is estimated to reduce crop yields by 20-30% across the nation.

The Indian government has taken some steps to address the problem of plastic burning. For example, an executive directive issued by the State Police Chief makes it clear that those who burn waste in public can be charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Kerala Police Act. However, there are reports of declining surveillance and spot legal action, with coastal roads and spaces along highways being particularly vulnerable spots for illegal plastic burning.

The socioeconomic disparities and lack of effective waste management infrastructure in India also play a role in the prevalence of plastic burning. With a massive population and limited resources, much of the waste produced ends up being burned in the open air or at non-designated places, contributing to air pollution and health risks for nearby residents.

Furthermore, India has become a destination for imported waste paper and plastic from other countries, particularly the United States. While some of this plastic is recycled, a significant portion ends up being burned, either as a source of fuel or due to the inability to properly process it. This issue highlights the global nature of plastic pollution and the need for international cooperation to address it effectively.

Plastic burning in Indonesia

Indonesia is the world's second-largest plastic polluter, releasing hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic into its rivers and marine environment annually. In 2020, the country burned around 1.9 million tons of plastic, making it one of the top five countries for burning plastic that year. While Indonesia prohibits the open burning of waste, the law is often disregarded by residents and garbage dump operators who burn plastic along with other trash.

The Indonesian government has faced criticism for allowing plastic burning to continue despite warnings about the release of toxic chemicals. In Tropodo and the nearby village of Bangun, plastic waste is sorted and burned, and testing by environmental groups found high levels of dioxin, one of the most hazardous known chemicals, which can cause cancer, birth defects, and Parkinson's disease. The government challenged the validity of the original test, but the study's authors stood by their findings and encouraged the government to halt plastic burning as soon as possible.

Indonesia's plan to eliminate plastic pollution from its waters by 2040 is considered ambitious. The government has set radical goals, aiming to cut plastic waste by 70% within five years and entirely by 2040. Activists like Melati Wisjen, Tiza Mafira, and Lakota Moira have successfully campaigned for plastic bag bans in several cities. Additionally, the startup Evoware aims to replace single-use plastic with edible seaweed derivatives.

Despite these efforts, Indonesia continues to struggle with plastic pollution and the improper disposal of waste, including the burning of plastic, which poses significant risks to human health and the environment.

Plastic burning in Russia

Burning plastic is a global issue that poses significant threats to human health and the environment. While the exact amount of plastic burned annually remains challenging to determine, a recent study published in the journal Nature sheds light on the magnitude of this problem. The study found that about 12% of all plastic waste generated in cities is burned in the open air, contributing to air pollution and adverse health effects.

Russia has been identified as one of the top five countries in the world for openly burning plastic waste. In 2020, the country burned more than 1.4 million metric tons of plastic, according to a study that analysed data from over 500 municipalities, representing 12% of the global population. This practice has raised concerns among scientists and environmental advocates due to its detrimental impact on both human health and the planet.

Plastic burning releases fine particulate pollution, which has been linked to approximately 7 million deaths annually worldwide. The toxic chemicals released during the burning process, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, contribute to heart disease, respiratory disorders, neurological problems, cancer, birth defects, and lung issues. The toxic ash that remains after burning municipal waste contains heavy metals and must be treated as hazardous waste.

In Russia, the issue of plastic burning is not limited to waste management practices. There have been reports of fires in warehouses and plants that manufacture or store plastic products, such as the incident in the city of Dzerzhinsk, where a fire broke out at a plastic products plant, releasing toxic substances into the environment. Additionally, unique instances of Russians burning snow to test the theory that it is artificial have also been documented.

Plastic burning in low-income countries

Plastic burning is a global issue, but it disproportionately affects low-income countries. The open burning of plastic waste is a common practice in many low-income countries due to a lack of proper waste management infrastructure and limited access to alternative disposal methods. This practice has severe environmental and health consequences, contributing to air pollution and posing risks to human health.

In low-income countries, the lack of solid waste collection services and inadequate waste management systems lead to the burning of plastic as a primary means of disposal. For instance, in Guatemala, 71% of households burn waste as their main disposal method. Similarly, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, plastic waste is often burned in open dumps, releasing toxic fumes that cause respiratory issues and other health problems among residents living nearby.

Multinational companies, such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, and Unilever, have been criticized for producing large quantities of single-use plastic in low-income countries, where recycling facilities are scarce. This results in the burning of plastic, leading to the release of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide and other toxic pollutants. According to Tearfund's report, these four companies alone are responsible for more than half a million tonnes of plastic pollution annually in just six countries: China, India, the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, and Nigeria.

The burning of plastic waste in low-income countries has severe health implications. It generates fine particulate pollution, which contributes to approximately 7 million premature deaths annually worldwide. The smoke released from burning plastic contains toxic chemicals, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, microplastics, bisphenols, and phthalates, which are linked to respiratory disorders, neurological problems, and disruptions in neurodevelopment, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

To address the issue of plastic burning in low-income countries, comprehensive waste management systems need to be implemented. This includes improving solid waste collection services, promoting recycling and reuse initiatives, and regulating the production and use of single-use plastics. Additionally, multinational companies should be held accountable for the environmental and health impacts of their plastic waste in these countries. By working together, governments, companies, and communities can find sustainable solutions to reduce plastic burning and mitigate its harmful effects on the environment and human health.

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