The World's Annual Recycled Plastic Production Capacity

Plastic is everywhere, and it is cheap to make and highly profitable. Humans produce more than 141 million tons of plastic packaging every year, and the production of plastic is continuing to increase. However, the recycling rate of plastic is relatively small. In the US, only about 5-6% of plastics are recycled annually, and globally, the situation is only slightly better, with 91% of plastic waste still being incinerated, landfilled, or mismanaged. This is due to a variety of factors, including the high cost of recycling infrastructure, the incompatibility of different types of plastics, and the price disparity between virgin and recycled plastic. Additionally, 49% of plastic waste ends up in landfills, while 22% is mismanaged or littered in nature, and 19% is incinerated. Plastic that is not properly disposed of can break down into microplastics, which can contaminate the environment and enter the food chain.

Plastic recycling rates are low, with only 5-8.7% of plastics recycled annually in the US

Plastic recycling rates are extremely low, with only 5-8.7% of plastics recycled annually in the US. This is in stark contrast to paper, which is recycled at a rate of 66%. While some specific types of plastic containers have higher recycling rates, such as PET bottles and jars at 29.1% and HDPE natural bottles at 29.3% in 2018, the overall recycling rate for plastics is abysmally low. The low recycling rates for plastics are due to a variety of factors, including the lack of necessary infrastructure in rural areas and the cost-prohibitive nature of recycling certain plastics.

The problem of low plastic recycling rates is compounded by the fact that plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, the containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons. This category includes items such as bags, sacks, wraps, and plastic bottles. Plastic is also found in durable goods such as appliances, furniture, and casings of lead-acid batteries.

The environmental impact of low plastic recycling rates is significant. Plastic does not chemically degrade but breaks apart into microplastics, which are pieces smaller than five millimeters in diameter. These microplastics have been found in the ocean, snow, rainfall, the air, and even in human blood, colons, lungs, veins, breast milk, placentas, and fetuses. Scientists estimate that the average person consumes five grams of plastic every week, mostly from contaminated tap water.

To address the low plastic recycling rates, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes redesigning products to use less plastic and be more easily reused or recycled, as well as replacing "unnecessary and problematic" plastics with more sustainable alternatives. Additionally, there is a need for more state and federal incentives to build the infrastructure for collection and recycling, especially in rural areas.

The U.S. Plastics Pact, for example, has set ambitious goals to improve plastic recycling rates. By 2025, they aim to make 100% of plastic packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and to effectively recycle or compost 50% of plastic packaging. While these goals are commendable, it is clear that a significant amount of work needs to be done to address the low plastic recycling rates in the US and mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Plastic waste often ends up in landfills, is incinerated, or mismanaged

Plastic is cheap to make and profitable, and it has become an integral part of our lives. However, the sheer amount of plastic waste has become a significant concern, with severe environmental and health implications. The majority of plastic waste is not recycled and ends up in landfills, is incinerated, or is mismanaged, leading to pollution and health hazards.

In 2018, landfills in the United States received 27 million tons of plastic, accounting for 18.5% of all municipal solid waste (MSW) landfilled. Overall, the recycling rate for plastics is relatively low, with only about 5% to 8.7% of plastics being recycled each year. The low recycling rate is partly due to the shortage of costly infrastructure required for recycling, especially in rural areas.

When plastic waste is not properly managed, it becomes a fixture in our environment, breaking down into microplastics. These microplastics, with pieces smaller than five millimeters in diameter, have been found in the ocean, snow, rainfall, the air, and even in human blood and food sources. The average person consumes approximately five grams of plastic every week, primarily from water contamination.

Incineration of plastic waste is also a common practice, but it comes with its own set of issues. The toxic fumes released during combustion can cause various health issues for nearby residents, ranging from skin rashes to cancer. Additionally, the ash and other toxins produced can travel long distances, spreading these impacts even further.

To address the plastic waste crisis, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Firstly, reducing plastic use and promoting reusable alternatives are crucial. Secondly, improving waste management strategies, especially in low-to-middle-income countries, is essential to ensure that plastic waste is recycled, incinerated, or landfilled properly, reducing the risk of environmental pollution. Finally, increasing recycling infrastructure and providing incentives for recycling, especially in rural areas, can help improve the overall recycling rate of plastics.

Plastic is cheap to produce, making recycled plastic less economically viable

Plastic is cheap to produce, and recycling it can be relatively expensive. This makes recycled plastic less economically viable. The low cost of producing new plastic creates a competitive environment that makes the added costs of recycling plastic less appealing. Recycling is an energy-intensive process that becomes more costly as additional steps, such as selection, washing, and transportation, are included. In countries with high electricity prices, incineration may be more profitable than recycling.

Furthermore, the market for recycled plastic is fragmented, making it challenging for sellers to find buyers. Recycling facilities are unevenly distributed, and some areas lack the machinery for efficient selection and recycling. The ban on low-quality recyclables imports in China has also impacted the global market for recycled plastics. China used to import cheap recyclables from America and Europe, but with the rising cost of labor and an increase in domestic recycling, China restricted these imports. This, combined with the lack of recycling infrastructure in the US and Europe, has resulted in recyclables being sent to landfills and incinerators.

The economic viability of recycled plastic is also affected by the low recycling rate of plastic waste. Less than 10% of plastic waste generated globally has been recycled, with a slightly higher percentage of 12% being incinerated. The rest has ended up in landfills and the oceans. The low recycling rate is partly due to the nature of plastic products. Plastic with food residues, for example, usually cannot be recycled, and only good quality, clean plastics can be processed. Additionally, 25% of plastics are thermoset plastics that are challenging to recycle due to their resistance to softening when exposed to heat.

To address the issue of recycled plastic being less economically viable, progressive policies and economic incentives are necessary. This includes incentives to build the required infrastructure for collection and recycling, especially in rural areas. Redesigning products to use less plastic and be more easily reused or recycled is also crucial. Ultimately, reducing the production of plastic is the most important goal, as stated by Jenna Jambeck, an environmental engineer at the University of Georgia: "What's the best way to manage waste? To not produce it in the first place."

Flexible packaging is convenient but difficult to recycle due to contamination

Flexible packaging has emerged as a popular choice for manufacturers and consumers alike. It is lightweight, convenient, and cost-effective, often using significantly less material than rigid packaging. For instance, it uses 97% less material than a glass jar. However, flexible packaging's low recycling rates and complex construction present significant challenges for recyclers, leading to concerns about its sustainability.

The primary challenge associated with flexible packaging is its lack of recyclability. Flexible packaging is composed of multiple layers of different materials, such as multi-layer, multi-material constructions, which are challenging to separate for recycling. The layers are bonded together to ensure the packaging's structural integrity and functionality, but this very feature makes it difficult to recycle. The process of separating the layers can be time-consuming and costly, and the equipment used for recycling can become clogged by the packaging. As a result, in most countries, including the United States, curbside recycling programs do not accept flexible packaging.

The contamination of flexible packaging further exacerbates the recycling challenge. Consumers often do not clean and dry the packaging before disposal, leading to content contamination. Oils, greases, and food residues, such as wet cat food, pasta sauce, and shampoo, can render the recycled material unusable. Additionally, the variety of materials used in flexible packaging, ranging from multi-layer petroleum packages to degradable forms, results in material-type contamination. Recyclers face increased economic burdens when they have to separate and process these diverse material types.

To address the issue of flexible packaging waste, several approaches are being explored. One method is to shift to compostable packaging, as seen with brands like Clif Bar and Off the Eaten Path. Another strategy is to move towards "recycle-ready" or mono-layer packaging. This type of packaging is designed to be collected via store drop-off locations rather than curbside recycling. Over 18,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada collect flexible packaging for recycling, often at convenient sites such as grocery stores and pharmacies. Additionally, initiatives and pilot programs worldwide are working to increase the recyclability of flexible packaging, focusing on both technological advancements and consumer behaviour changes.

While flexible packaging offers undeniable convenience and cost savings, its recyclability and sustainability are critical aspects that need improvement. The challenges of layer separation and contamination must be addressed to ensure that flexible packaging does not contribute disproportionately to the global plastic waste crisis.

Plastic production is increasing, but recycling rates are plateauing

Plastic production and waste are increasing, but recycling rates are not keeping up. While plastic waste recycling has increased worldwide over the last twenty years, with OECD countries in the European Union, India, and China leading the way, the overall amount of recycled plastics is relatively small. In 2018, the United States recycled 3 million tons of plastic, resulting in an 8.7% recycling rate. While certain types of plastic containers have higher recycling rates, such as PET bottles and jars (29.1%) and HDPE natural bottles (29.3%), the recycling rate for all plastics in the US was only 5% to 6% annually, according to MIT Technology Review. This discrepancy is due to the fact that plastic is inexpensive to produce and highly profitable, making it ubiquitous.

The EPA's National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution aims to address this issue by focusing on actions to prevent plastic pollution from entering the environment. Plastic is a rapidly growing component of municipal solid waste (MSW), particularly in the containers and packaging category, which accounted for over 14.5 million tons of plastic in 2018. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, packaging, PET bottles and jars, HDPE natural bottles, and other containers. Plastic is also used in durable goods such as appliances, furniture, and casings for lead-acid batteries.

The low recycling rates of plastic are concerning given its persistence in the environment. Plastic does not chemically degrade but breaks apart into microplastics, pieces smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter. These microplastics have been found in the ocean, snow, rainfall, the air, and even in human blood, colons, lungs, veins, breast milk, placentas, and fetuses. On average, a person consumes five grams of plastic every week, mostly from contaminated tap water.

To address the issue of low plastic recycling rates, Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP, emphasizes the importance of product redesign to use less plastic and be more easily reused or recycled. Manufacturers have begun to reduce the amount of plastic in their products, but more significant changes are needed. Imari Walker-Franklin, a research chemist, suggests that many "unnecessary and problematic" plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), must be replaced with more sustainable alternatives. Non-plastic alternatives, such as packaging made from fungi, hemp, or other environmentally friendly materials, may be more promising in the long term, but they are currently not economically viable without the right set of progressive policies and economic incentives.

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