The Ever-Growing Plastic Problem: Every Second Counts

Plastic is a nearly indestructible material that has become integral to our lives. Humans have produced over 380 million tons of plastic every year since the 1950s, with some estimates placing the figure at over 400 million tons. This equates to about 20,000 plastic bottles being bought every second, or 160,000 plastic bags used every second. The demand for plastic is driven by its cheap cost, versatility, and convenience, but the consequences are dire. Plastic pollution has severely impacted our oceans, with more than 10 million tons dumped into the sea annually, threatening marine life and contaminating our food chain.

Plastic bottles: 20,000 bought every second

Plastic is a highly versatile and cheap material, ideal for a wide range of applications. However, it has also become a significant environmental issue. The production and use of plastic are contributing to a growing waste problem, with serious consequences for our planet's health.

One area of particular concern is the consumption of plastic bottles, with an estimated 20,000 bottles being bought every second globally. This equates to around 1 million bottles every minute and a staggering 500 billion bottles annually. The demand for bottled water, driven by the spread of a western, urbanised "on-the-go" culture, is a major factor in this high consumption rate.

The recycling of plastic bottles has not kept pace with their increasing use. In 2016, less than half of the 480 billion plastic bottles purchased worldwide were recycled, resulting in a significant amount of waste ending up in landfills and oceans. By 2021, it was predicted that annual consumption would exceed 580 billion bottles, further exacerbating the issue.

The production and disposal of plastic bottles have a significant environmental impact. The manufacturing process requires a substantial amount of resources, including oil and water, and generates carbon dioxide emissions. Bottles can take up to 450 years to fully decompose, with some plastics taking even longer, up to 1000 years. This means that the plastic bottles used today will persist in the environment for centuries, contributing to pollution and endangering marine life.

Coca-Cola: 3,400 plastic bottles/second

Plastic is a highly versatile material that has become integral to our lives. However, its improper disposal has led to it becoming an environmental concern. Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with an estimated 10 to 14 million tons of plastic dumped into our oceans annually.

One major contributor to this crisis is the beverage industry, particularly companies like Coca-Cola. According to Greenpeace, Coca-Cola produces an astonishing 3,400 plastic bottles every second, amounting to over 100 billion throwaway plastic bottles annually. This staggering figure highlights the excessive use of single-use plastic by one of the world's largest drinks companies.

The demand for bottled water and the spread of a western, urbanised "on-the-go" culture have driven the high consumption of plastic bottles. Coca-Cola's products, including soft drinks and water, are often packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, which are highly recyclable. However, the company has been criticised for not doing enough to increase the recycled content of its plastic bottles.

Despite the push from campaigners for Coca-Cola and other major drinks companies to utilise more recycled plastic in their production, these brands have been resistant. They prioritise the cosmetic appeal of shiny, clear plastic over the environmental benefits of recycled plastic. This resistance contributes to the ever-growing plastic pollution crisis, as recycling efforts fail to keep up with the skyrocketing demand for plastic bottles.

Coca-Cola's plastic usage is a significant contributor to the global plastic pollution crisis. With their products ending up as litter and in our oceans, the company has a responsibility to reduce its environmental impact. By increasing their use of recycled plastic and committing to more sustainable practices, Coca-Cola can play a crucial role in mitigating the plastic pollution crisis.

Plastic bags: 160,000 used/second

Plastic is an incredibly versatile material with properties that make it ideal for a wide range of applications. However, it has become an environmental concern due to its persistence in the environment and the disposable lifestyle it has helped create. One area of particular concern is the use of plastic bags, with an estimated 160,000 plastic bags being used globally every second. This equates to approximately 5 trillion plastic bags being produced yearly, with side-by-side these bags able to encircle the world 7 times.

The issue with plastic bags is that they are often used once and then discarded, contributing to the growing problem of plastic pollution. While plastic does degrade over time, it is a very slow process, with plastic taking up to 700 years to start degrading and 1000 years to fully break down. In the meantime, plastic remains toxic and contaminates the environment as it breaks down into smaller and smaller toxic micro particles. This has led to the formation of massive floating landfills in the oceans, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is twice the size of Texas and primarily composed of plastic.

To address this issue, individuals can make small changes that have a significant collective impact. This includes refusing single-use plastic bags and instead bringing your own reusable bags when shopping. Eco-friendly alternatives, such as bags made from recycled materials, are also available and can be reused multiple times. Additionally, individuals can request that their local grocery stores refrain from using plastic packaging and offer paper bags instead of plastic for those who forget to bring their own.

Furthermore, it is important to properly dispose of and recycle plastic bags to reduce their environmental impact. Recycling plastic bags can involve finding ways to reuse them at home or taking them to a nearby recycling center, such as the McIntire Recycling Center, which accepts plastic bags and flexible film packaging. By making these simple changes, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing the environmental footprint of plastic bags and protecting our planet for future generations.

10 million+ tons of plastic in oceans/year

Humans are addicted to plastic, an incredibly versatile and indestructible material. We produce over 380 million tons of plastic annually, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. This disposable lifestyle is extremely harmful to the environment.

It is estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year. To put this into perspective, in a few years, we might end up with a pound of plastic for every three pounds of fish in the sea. This is a startling fact that highlights the urgency of the situation.

The proliferation of plastic products has been extraordinary, and it is a major issue worldwide. Over the last ten years, we have produced more plastic than during the entire last century. This is largely due to the increasing demand for plastic bottles, with more than 480 billion plastic drinking bottles sold in 2016 across the world, up from about 300 billion a decade ago. By 2021, this number was estimated to increase to 583.3 billion.

The plastic crisis is closely linked to the spread of a western, urbanized "on-the-go" culture, with a particular demand for bottled water. Coca-Cola, for example, produces more than 100 billion throwaway plastic bottles every year, or 3,400 bottles per second. These bottles are highly recyclable, yet recycling efforts are failing to keep up with the soaring use of plastic bottles.

To address the issue of ocean plastic pollution, we need to focus on waste collection and recycling on a global scale. This will not only improve ocean health but also have positive impacts on public health, economic growth, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

50% of plastic is single-use

Humans are producing over 380 million tons of plastic every year, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. That means that around 190 million tons of plastic is used just once and thrown away. This plastic is utilised for only a few moments but remains on the planet for several hundred years.

Single-use plastics are goods made primarily from fossil fuel-based chemicals and are designed to be disposed of immediately after use, often within minutes. Examples include plastic bags, which have an average "working life" of 15 minutes, straws, and plastic cutlery. These items are not easily recyclable because they fall into the crevices of recycling machinery, and many recycling centres do not accept them. As a result, they often end up in landfills, where they break down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals ingest them.

The proliferation of single-use plastic is driven by our desire for convenience and a "`disposable` lifestyle". Companies cater to this demand by selling products wrapped in flashy packaging and designing cheap goods that fuel consumerism. This has resulted in a staggering accumulation of waste, with 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic produced since the 1950s and 79% of it still sitting in landfills or the natural environment.

To address this issue, consumers can change their habits and advocate for policy changes at local and international levels. Additionally, major drinks brands, which produce a significant number of plastic bottles, can increase their use of recycled plastic in their products.

Frequently asked questions