Plastic Pollution: Earth's Growing Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing issues facing the planet today, with plastic waste polluting everything from mountaintops to the deepest ocean trenches. Humans currently produce more than 350 million metric tons of plastic waste per year, with a 2024 study finding that the world is producing 57 million tons of plastic pollution per year. If no changes are made, this figure is projected to triple by 2060 to a staggering one billion metric tons.

Global plastic production

The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic entering our oceans annually. This plastic waste affects wildlife and ecosystems.

The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was produced in 1907, marking the beginning of the global plastics industry. However, rapid growth in global plastic production didn't occur until the 1950s. Over the next 70 years, annual plastic production increased nearly 230-fold to 460 million tonnes in 2019. In fact, global plastic production has doubled in the last two decades.

Asia is the largest producer of plastic in the world, with China alone accounting for 32% of global production in 2022. China produces between 6 and 12 million metric tons of plastic products each month. North America is the second-largest producer of plastic, with a 17% share in 2022.

The production of plastic requires four basic steps: the acquisition of raw materials, synthesizing a basic polymer, compounding the polymer into a usable fraction, and finally, moulding or shaping the plastic.

While 9% of plastic is recycled globally, half of the world's plastic still goes straight to landfill. Another fifth of plastic waste is mismanaged, meaning it is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills, and is at risk of being leaked into rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

Plastic waste management

Plastic is a valuable material, with applications in construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. However, the improper disposal and end-of-life processing of plastics have become a pressing environmental concern. To address this issue, effective plastic waste management strategies are essential.

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, in collaboration with Roland Berger, has developed a comprehensive report, the Plastic Waste Management Framework, which offers insights into policies and strategies that countries can adopt to enhance their waste management systems and reduce plastic waste. The report recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution due to varying national circumstances and access to resources.

One critical aspect of plastic waste management is improving recycling rates. Currently, only 9% of the world's plastic waste is recycled, with half ending up in landfills and about a fifth being mismanaged. This mismanagement, which includes the lack of recycling, incineration, or proper disposal in sealed landfills, leads to plastic leakage into the environment, especially oceans, rivers, and lakes. To address this, countries can explore policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Systems (DRS) to develop tailored national action plans.

Additionally, the informal "waste picker" sector can play a significant role in improving recycling rates. By supporting and regulating this sector, countries can create economic opportunities while reducing plastic waste. Furthermore, waste management strategies should be comprehensive and multi-faceted, including regulatory policies, infrastructural improvements, and operational enhancements. For example, curbside collection programs and pickup services for businesses can help streamline the recycling process and ensure proper waste disposal.

Lastly, international cooperation is vital in addressing plastic waste management. Richer countries can contribute through foreign investments in waste management infrastructure in low-to-middle-income countries, where plastic mismanagement tends to be higher. By sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, the global community can make significant strides in reducing plastic pollution and protecting our environment for future generations.

Plastic in the ocean

Plastic is one of the most common forms of marine debris. It is a global crisis that is wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems. The presence of plastic in our oceans is continually increasing, and it is one of the main causes of the extinction of marine species, health problems for humans and animals, and the destruction of ecosystems.

The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering, with people buying or using disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, razors, and bottles, and not disposing of them properly. These items eventually end up in waterways and flow downstream through rivers to the sea. Once in the ocean, plastic debris never fully biodegrades. It either breaks down into microplastic particles, or floats around and forms garbage patches. These garbage patches are usually found in the center of the ocean's gyres, or rotating currents, which can transport the plastic literally anywhere in the world.

About 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic are estimated to end up in the ocean each year. This is enough to fill New York City's Central Park with plastic waste as high as the Empire State Building. By 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all the fish in the sea. The problem is particularly acute in developing nations, where a flood of plastic has been brought in by the global economy, but there is inadequate waste management.

However, it is important to note that not all plastic waste in the ocean is a result of littering. Many plastics and microplastics are the product of improper manufacturing processes, and about 20% of the ocean's plastic pollution comes from industrial fishing. Abandoned fishing nets are a major source of ocean plastic, as are microfibers shed from synthetic clothing or fishing nets. These microplastics can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, and later release them in the ocean.

To address the problem of plastic in the ocean, it is critical to improve waste management practices and reduce plastic waste. This includes fixing a broken and fragmented system, making plastic from renewable resources, manufacturing goods that are recyclable and require less plastic, consuming less, and increasing recycling.

Plastic in rivers and lakes

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with an estimated 57 million tons of plastic pollution produced annually. While plastic has added much value to our lives, being a cheap, versatile, and sterile material, it becomes an environmental pollutant when mismanaged. Mismanagement of plastic waste refers to the failure to recycle, incinerate, or dispose of it in sealed landfills. This mismanagement leads to plastic leakage into our rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing significant ecological harm.

Rivers and lakes are significant pathways for plastic waste to enter the oceans. These water systems act as reservoirs, trapping and retaining plastics within their compartments, such as riverbanks, floodplains, and lakeshores. Under extreme hydrological conditions, like storms and floods, these reservoirs can overflow, releasing large amounts of accumulated plastic downstream and potentially into the ocean.

The presence of plastic in rivers and lakes is a global issue. Local activities, such as littering, fishing gear, and direct wastewater drainage, contribute to the problem. Additionally, rivers that discharge into lakes carry plastics, which are then transported by lake surface currents and deposited on shorelines. Macroplastics have been observed floating on lake surfaces, buried in bottom sediments, and washed ashore.

The impact of plastic pollution in freshwater systems is not limited to aesthetics but poses risks to wildlife and ecosystems. Microplastics, smaller plastic particles, have been detected in estuarine rivers and the Great Lakes, affecting marine life and potentially human health. Furthermore, plastic pollution in rivers and lakes can have economic consequences, requiring targeted infrastructure for removal and mitigation.

To address plastic pollution in rivers and lakes, effective waste management strategies are crucial. This includes improving recycling and disposal practices to prevent plastics from entering freshwater systems in the first place. Additionally, further research and monitoring are needed to fully understand the retention capacity of lakes and the fate of plastics accumulated within river and lake compartments over time.

Microplastics in the human body

Plastic is a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in various applications, including construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. However, plastic waste is a significant environmental pollutant, with an estimated 57 million tons of plastic pollution produced globally each year. Richer nations produce the most plastic waste per person, but the mismanagement of waste in low-to-middle-income countries contributes significantly to ocean pollution.

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, have been detected in the human body, raising concerns about their potential health impacts. Laboratory tests have shown that microplastics can cause damage to human cells, including allergic reactions and cell death. Microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, spleen, placenta, and feces, with studies suggesting they may act as vectors for pollutants and chemicals. The presence of microplastics in the body is attributed to inhalation and ingestion through food, water, and skincare products.

While the health effects of microplastics in humans require further research, a recent study suggests a link between microplastics and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes, in people with heart disease. Additionally, microplastics have been found to contain toxic chemicals, such as phthalates and BPA, associated with cancer, developmental disorders, and reproductive issues.

To reduce exposure to microplastics, individuals can take measures such as using alternatives to plastic water bottles and cutting boards, microwaving food in glass containers, and regularly dusting and vacuuming to minimize microplastic fibers in household dust.

In conclusion, while the full extent of harm is not yet understood, the presence of microplastics in the human body is a growing concern, highlighting the need for further research and effective waste management strategies to reduce plastic pollution.

Frequently asked questions