The Land's Plastic Problem: How Much Is Out There?

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with the planet swimming in discarded plastic that is harming animal and possibly human health. Plastic pollution affects all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, and is a major driver of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, contributing to climate change. While the global production of plastic has increased, the world's ability to deal with it has not kept pace, with only 9% to 20% of plastic being recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerated, or leaked into the environment, with rivers and oceans bearing the brunt of this mismanagement.

Plastic waste management

Plastic has become an indispensable part of our lives, with applications in construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. However, the issue of plastic waste management has emerged as a pressing environmental concern. The improper disposal and end-of-life processing of plastics are causing significant harm to our planet.

The global plastic waste problem is extensive, with an estimated 70% of plastic waste remaining uncollected, dumped into landfills, or subjected to open burning in 2023. This mismanagement of waste, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries, is a major contributor to environmental pollution. Richer nations can assist by investing in waste management infrastructure in these countries.

To address the plastic waste crisis, a comprehensive approach is necessary. Firstly, it is essential to improve waste management strategies, such as recycling, incineration, and sealed landfilling. Recycling, in particular, is crucial, as only 9-10% of plastic is currently recycled globally. Additionally, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Systems (DRS) can be leveraged to develop tailored national action plans.

Furthermore, public awareness and education about proper waste disposal and recycling practices are vital. Initiatives like "Recycling 101" campaigns can help individuals understand the basics of recycling and encourage them to recycle more efficiently. Finally, to tackle the global nature of the plastic waste problem, a global plastics treaty is needed to reduce plastic production, phase out harmful practices, and implement strong national plans with rigorous reporting and compliance mechanisms.

By combining improved waste management strategies, increased recycling, public awareness, and global cooperation, we can make significant strides in addressing the plastic waste crisis and protecting our planet for future generations.

Plastic in landfills

Plastic pollution is a critical issue affecting all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. While plastic has added value to our lives as a cheap, versatile, and sterile material, it becomes an environmental pollutant when mismanaged. Richer countries produce the most plastic waste per person, but the mismanagement of waste is more prevalent in low-to-middle-income countries. Globally, half of all plastic waste is sent straight to landfills, and another fifth is mismanaged, putting it at risk of leaking into water sources and the ocean.

In 2018, landfills in the European Union received 7.2 million tons of plastic, and in the United States, three-quarters of plastic waste went to landfills. Packaging plastics, such as bags, sacks, wraps, bottles, and jars, constitute a significant portion of plastics in landfills. The presence of plastic in landfills can lead to the release of toxic substances, including microplastics (MPs), into the surrounding soil and water. These microplastics, which can be formed through chemical, photo, and biological degradation, have hazardous effects on floral and faunal species and act as carriers of pollutants such as heavy metals and pharmaceutical toxicants.

The long-term degradation of plastic in landfills is a significant concern. Plastic can take up to 1,000 years to degrade, and during this process, it can leach potentially toxic substances. These substances can contaminate the soil and affect all forms of life, including humans, through the food chain. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the environment, affecting human health and economies. Microplastics have been found in human blood, placentas, food, and drinks, posing health risks. Additionally, the build-up of plastic litter can negatively impact a country's economy, leading to income declines in sectors such as small and medium enterprises, tourism, and agriculture.

To address the issue of plastic in landfills, it is crucial to improve waste management strategies and reduce plastic production. The implementation of domestic policies and foreign investments in waste management infrastructure can help mitigate the problem. By adequately managing plastic waste, we can prevent further environmental degradation and protect human health and economies from the detrimental effects of plastic pollution.

Plastic in soil

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. While the production of plastic has added value to our lives, with applications in construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging, it is imperative that plastic waste is effectively managed to prevent environmental degradation. Unfortunately, only about 9% of the world's plastic waste is recycled, with half going straight to landfill and another fifth being mismanaged, increasing the risk of leakage into natural environments.

The impact of plastic in soil is context-dependent, with experimental studies indicating that plastic fragments can affect soil properties such as porosity and water content. Higher concentrations and larger sizes of plastic fragments are generally associated with lower soil water content, leading to increased evaporation or percolation. The presence of plastic fragments can also affect the performance of plants, with complex interactive effects observed in response to drought conditions.

Agricultural practices are a major input of plastic into terrestrial environments. While tools like mulching foils are typically removed after germination, they often break apart, leaving behind smaller fragments that are spread by wind and runoff, eventually being incorporated into deeper soil horizons. Other sources of plastic contamination in agricultural soils include sewage sludge, coated fertilisers, irrigation water, agrochemicals, and the breakdown of larger plastic materials.

Addressing plastic pollution in soil requires a multifaceted approach, including improved waste management strategies, reduced plastic production, and the adoption of safer alternatives to plastic products and materials.

Plastic in freshwater

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. While the use of plastic materials has brought significant societal benefits, its mismanagement has led to widespread environmental contamination. Rich countries tend to produce more plastic waste per person, but the mismanagement of waste, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries, poses a higher risk of environmental leakage.

Freshwater ecosystems, including wetlands, lakes, and rivers, are not exempt from this global issue. Microplastics, fragments smaller than 5 mm, have been detected in natural freshwater systems worldwide. These particles, originating from the breakdown of larger plastic items and the shedding of commercial products, accumulate in freshwater environments due to their longevity and resistance to biodegradation.

Scientific studies have revealed evidence of plastic ingestion by various freshwater species, ranging from invertebrates to mammals. For instance, Loyola University Chicago biologists found microplastics in the digestive tracts of 85% of fish sampled from several rivers in the United States. This ingestion of plastics by freshwater organisms has far-reaching implications, as it introduces toxic particles into the food web and potentially threatens human diets.

The presence of plastics in freshwater ecosystems also poses entanglement risks for animals, including birds. Furthermore, the accumulation of other contaminants on microplastics increases the chemical exposure of organisms that ingest them. While research on the biological effects of microplastics in freshwater species is limited, the existing studies underscore the detrimental consequences of plastic pollution in these environments.

To address plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems, comprehensive data on the abundance, fate, sources, and biological effects of microplastics is necessary. This requires collaboration among environmental scientists from diverse disciplines and sufficient public funding. Additionally, coordinated actions such as recycling programs, correct disposal methods, stringent legislation, regular inspections, and ecological restoration are crucial to mitigating the complex problem of plastic pollution in freshwater environments.

Plastic in the economy

Plastic is a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in a wide range of applications, including construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. While plastic has added significant value to our lives, it has also become one of the most pressing environmental issues due to the rapid increase in disposable plastic production and the world's inability to manage it effectively.

The mismanagement of plastic waste, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries, is a significant contributor to plastic pollution on land. Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled globally, with half going directly to landfills and another fifth being mismanaged, increasing the risk of leakage into rivers, lakes, and oceans. This mismanagement has severe economic implications, with income declines in sectors such as small and medium enterprises, tourism, agriculture, and water safety.

The trade in plastic waste exacerbates the problem, with some countries exporting waste plastics to nations lacking the capacity to process them adequately. As a result, the United Nations has imposed a ban on the waste plastic trade unless specific criteria are met. Additionally, the global production and disposal methods have led to a projected increase in plastic emissions in the United States from 317 million metric tons in 2021 to 401 million by 2025.

To address plastic pollution, there is a growing movement towards reducing plastic production and implementing bans on single-use plastics. Improved waste management strategies, foreign investments in waste management infrastructure, and better product design that considers the short life of disposable packaging are crucial. The recycling solution is under scrutiny due to low success rates, with global recycling rates for plastic packaging at only 20%.

The impact of plastic pollution on land is significant, with terrestrial microplastic pollution estimated to be four to 23 times higher than marine microplastic pollution. Microplastics have been found in human blood and placentas, and their presence in food and drinks, including tap water, beer, and salt, poses potential health risks. The chemicals released from plastic particles during degradation, such as phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA), are known to have hormonal effects on both vertebrates and invertebrates.

Frequently asked questions