The Plastic Problem: Consumer Products And Plastic Pollution

Plastic is a synthetic, organic polymer made from fossil fuels, such as gas and petroleum. It is used in almost all consumer and industrial activities, from construction and vehicles to electronics and agriculture. Plastic goods carry large, global negative externalities. A single plastic product can take a few hundred years to fully decompose, and as it does so, it releases millions of minuscule microplastics that eventually end up in the natural and human environment. Plastic consumption has quadrupled over the past 30 years, driven by growth in emerging markets. Global plastic production doubled from 2000 to 2019 to reach 460 million tonnes. The bulk of it ends up in landfills, is incinerated, or leaks into the environment, with only 9% successfully recycled.

Plastic packaging and containers

In 2018, the EPA estimated that approximately 14.5 million tons of plastic were used for containers and packaging in the US, making up 5% of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. This includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and jars, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles for milk and water, and other containers made from various resin types. The recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was higher than that for HDPE bottles in 2018, at 29.1% and 29.3% respectively. However, the overall recycling rate for plastic containers and packaging was only 13.6% in 2018, with over 69% of waste being landfilled.

The proliferation of plastic products has been significant in recent decades, with over 380 million tons of plastic produced annually, and up to 50% of this is for single-use purposes. Plastic packaging, in particular, contributes to this waste, with approximately 500 billion plastic bags used worldwide each year, and an estimated 100.7 billion plastic beverage bottles sold in the US in 2014.

To combat this issue, some states have passed laws requiring post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging, and innovative reuse models are being explored. For example, Ooho has developed edible and biodegradable packaging for beverages and condiments made from brown seaweed. Additionally, companies like Lush are selling products "naked" in-store, eliminating the need for packaging, and Apeel offers plant-derived coatings for fruit and vegetables that extend shelf life without plastic packaging.

Plastic in durable goods

Plastic is an essential part of modern society and is used in a wide range of consumer products. In 2018, the United States generated 35.7 million tons of plastic, with 12.2% of that being from plastic generation. The US consumed 18% of global plastic products in 2019, with the highest per capita plastic use in the world.

Durable goods are products that remain in use for more than three years, such as appliances, furniture, carpet, and consumer electronics. Plastic products designed for long-term use are often made with durable plastics, which are meant to last for years or even decades. These plastics are well-suited for applications where strength and safety are essential, like vehicles, drinking and wastewater pipes, medical implants, and buildings.

More than half of all plastics manufactured are designed and used for longer-term purposes, such as indoor furnishings, insulation, electrical devices, conduits, and textiles. These durable plastics often contain persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemical additives (PBTs). Over the service life of these plastic products, considerable additives and polymer fragments are released into enclosed indoor spaces, with resultant human exposure, and then pass into wastewater treatment plants. While some wastewaters receive primary or less treatment, PBTs and microplastics can survive even sophisticated treatment and are deposited into settled solids.

The recycling rate for plastic products is relatively small, with only 8.7% of plastic recycled in 2018. However, the recycling rate for specific types of plastic containers is more significant, with a 29.1% recycling rate for PET bottles and jars, and a 29.3% rate for HDPE natural bottles in 2018. Despite these efforts, plastic waste continues to grow, with landfills receiving 27 million tons of plastic in 2018, accounting for 18.5% of all MSW (municipal solid waste) landfilled.

Plastic recycling rates

In the European Union, the recycling rate for plastic beverage bottles was 24% in 2022, with almost 50% of recycled PET going into bottle production. This is significant because recycling PET can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 84% and 71%, respectively, compared to virgin PET production. Additionally, mechanical recycling of PET plastic has been found to reduce total energy consumption by 79%.

The low recycling rates for plastics are due to several factors. Firstly, the recycling infrastructure and household collection rates are limited, with the supply of recycled plastic meeting only about 6% of the demand. Secondly, mechanical recycling, the most common form of plastic recycling, is limited due to down-cycling effects and the challenge of obtaining a clean enough raw material. As a result, chemical recycling, or feedstock recycling, is an area of growing research, particularly for PVC plastics. Thirdly, the recycling process for some plastics can be economically unviable, and in some cases, producing new plastic products is cheaper than recycling and reusing existing materials.

To improve plastic recycling rates, it is essential to increase public participation and education, as there is currently capacity to recycle more plastic than is currently being collected. Additionally, public-private partnerships can play a crucial role in facilitating plastic recycling and encouraging more people to recycle.

Plastic consumption and waste

The United States plays a significant role in global plastic consumption, with an estimated 18% of global plastic products consumed in the country in 2019, the highest per capita in the world. The amount of plastic waste in the United States' municipal solid waste system has also been steadily increasing since 1960, with the most significant increases occurring between 1980 and 2000. In 2018, plastics generation in the US was 35.7 million tons, with 12.2% of that coming from municipal solid waste.

Plastic waste has severe environmental and health impacts. It ends up in landfills, is incinerated, or leaks into the environment, with only a small percentage being successfully recycled. In 2019, an estimated 20 million metric tons of plastic litter entered the environment, and as plastic breaks down, it releases microplastics, which are found in the natural environment and have been detected in human blood, placentas, food, and drinks. Plastic pollution contributes to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change, threatening human health and affecting food and water safety.

To address plastic consumption and waste, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes reducing plastic production, improving waste management practices, increasing recycling efforts, and developing environmentally friendly alternatives. Bans and taxes on single-use plastics exist in over 120 countries, but more comprehensive interventions are needed to curb plastic consumption and waste effectively. Individuals also have power as consumers to advocate for change and make sustainable choices.

Plastic pollution solutions

Plastic pollution is a critical issue that poses a serious threat to the health of our oceans, marine life, and ecosystems. It is essential to address this problem through individual actions, legislative changes, and global cooperation.

One significant source of plastic pollution is consumer products, including durable goods such as appliances, furniture, and consumer electronics, as well as packaging materials like bags, sacks, and plastic containers. The production and consumption of plastic have increased exponentially over the years, with plastic consumption quadrupling in the last three decades. This has resulted in a corresponding surge in plastic waste, which has severe ecological consequences.

To combat plastic pollution, it is crucial to adopt a multifaceted approach:

• Individual Actions: Each person can make a difference by reducing their plastic consumption and waste. This includes simple habits like carrying a reusable water bottle, opting for products with natural exfoliants instead of microplastics, and being cautious when choosing cosmetics, as many contain microplastics. Staying informed and educating others about plastic pollution is also essential, as it helps create a collective awareness and encourages others to take action.
• Legislative Changes: Governments play a pivotal role in addressing plastic pollution. Implementing and enforcing regulations that reduce plastic production, improve waste management practices, and hold plastic producers accountable for the waste generated by their products are crucial steps. The 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the United States is an example of federal legislation aimed at tackling this crisis. Additionally, extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation can ensure that plastic producers and distributors are responsible for their products' proper disposal and end-of-life management.
• Global Cooperation: Plastic pollution is a global issue that requires international collaboration. Organizations like the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are working to address this problem. For instance, the United Nations has successfully collaborated with member states and businesses to enact a global plastics treaty. Furthermore, the OECD projects that without interventions, global plastic use and waste will nearly triple by 2060, underscoring the urgency of international cooperation.

By combining individual actions, legislative reforms, and global efforts, we can effectively tackle the pressing issue of plastic pollution and mitigate its detrimental impact on our environment and ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions