The Daily Plastic Purchase Problem: How Much Is Too Much?

Plastic is everywhere, from computers to clothing fibres, and its use is increasing. Humans produce over 380 million tons of plastic annually, with some reports indicating that up to 50% of this is for single-use purposes. This is a significant issue as plastic does not biodegrade, instead breaking down into tiny particles that can be deadly to marine life. While the total amount of recycled plastics is relatively small, only around 5%, there is growing awareness of the problem and a range of solutions are being engineered.

Plastic bottles: 1 million sold per minute, 57% of the plastic market

Plastic bottles are one of the most common plastic products, with 1 million sold per minute worldwide. This figure is expected to grow by 20% by 2023. Plastic bottles account for 57% of the plastic market, with 57.3 billion sold in 2014, up from 3.8 billion in 1996. The proliferation of plastic products has been extraordinary in recent decades, and humans are now producing over 380 million tons of plastic every year. While some plastic products are recycled, the rate is relatively low, with 91% of plastic bottles not being recycled. This means that plastic bottles end up in landfills and oceans, contributing to environmental issues such as plastic pollution and the killing of marine animals.

The production of plastic bottles requires a significant amount of resources, including oil, and the process of bottling water is particularly wasteful, requiring around six times as much water per bottle as there is in the container. Plastic bottles are commonly made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which takes 400 years to decompose naturally. While PET is highly recyclable, the recycling rate for PET bottles was only 29.1% in 2018. Overall, the recycling rate for plastics is relatively low, with only 8.7% of plastics recycled in 2018.

The demand for plastic bottles is increasing, particularly in economically growing Asian countries, and it is estimated that half a trillion plastic bottles will be sold annually by 2022. This increasing demand is fuelled by a preference for bottled beverages over tap water, despite the lack of assurance that bottled water is any cleaner or safer. In the United States, Americans consumed about 50 billion plastic water bottles last year, with a recycling rate of only 23%. This contributes to the larger issue of plastic waste, with 300 million tons of plastic waste produced globally each year and an estimated 12 billion metric tons of plastic expected to end up in landfills by 2050.

The plastic bottle pollution crisis is not limited to landfills but also extends to the world's oceans. It is estimated that 8-9 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, with plastic trash breaking down into microplastics consumed by fish and other aquatic life. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, covers a surface area of 1.6 million square kilometres, or three times the size of France. By 2050, it is predicted that the ocean will contain more plastic than fish, with 99% of seabirds expected to swallow plastic.

Plastic bags: 5 trillion used annually

Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). Humans produce over 380 million tons of plastic annually, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic are currently polluting our oceans, with more than 10 million tons added every year.

Plastic bags are a significant contributor to this pollution. Approximately 5 trillion plastic bags are used every year, with 160,000 plastic bags used globally every second. Laid side by side, these bags could encircle the world seven times. Plastic bags are not easily recyclable and have an average "working life" of just 15 minutes.

The environmental impact of plastic bags is severe. Plastic does not biodegrade but instead photo-degrades, breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic micro-particles that contaminate the environment. These micro-particles can be ingested by animals, potentially leading to health issues and even death. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating landfill in the Pacific Ocean twice the size of Texas, is composed mostly of plastic, including plastic bags.

To reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags, individuals can make conscious choices to refuse single-use plastic bags and opt for reusable alternatives. Shopping at local farmers' markets, requesting paper bags or no bags, and supporting initiatives to restrict or ban single-use plastics are all ways to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Plastic resins: used in containers, packaging, bottles, bags, sacks, wraps and lids

Plastic resins are used in a wide range of products, including containers, packaging, bottles, bags, sacks, wraps, and lids. This category of plastic products, which includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and jars, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles, and other resin types, makes up a significant portion of plastic waste.

In 2018, the containers and packaging category accounted for over 14.5 million tons of plastic waste in the United States, making it the largest segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). This category includes products such as plastic bags, sacks, and wraps, as well as other containers and packaging materials. The recycling rate for these plastic items is relatively low, with only about 2 million tons, or 13.6% of plastic containers and packaging, being recycled in 2018.

Plastic bags, in particular, have a significant environmental impact. In 2015, about 730,000 tons of plastic bags, sacks, and wraps were generated in the United States, and it is estimated that 5 trillion plastic bags are used globally each year. The average "working life" of a plastic bag is just 15 minutes, yet it can take up to 1,000 years for a bag to degrade in a landfill. Furthermore, plastic bags do not break down completely but instead photodegrade into microplastics that continue to pollute the environment.

Plastic bottles are another significant contributor to plastic waste. In 2014, 100.7 billion plastic beverage bottles were sold in the United States, with 57.3 billion of those being water bottles. The recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was higher than that of plastic bags, at 29.1% in 2018, but still leaves much room for improvement.

Overall, the plastic resins used in containers, packaging, bottles, bags, sacks, wraps, and lids contribute significantly to plastic waste, with a large portion ending up in landfills and the ocean due to low recycling rates.

Plastic containers: 14% of all litter

Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). Humans produce over 380 million tons of plastic annually, with some reports indicating that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes. Plastic containers and packaging, including bags, sacks, wraps, bottles, jars, and other containers, account for a significant portion of plastic waste.

In the United States, for example, the containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage in 2018, with over 14.5 million tons. While the recycling rates for certain plastic containers, such as PET bottles and jars, and HDPE natural bottles, were around 29% in 2018, the overall recycling rate for plastics was much lower, at 8.7%.

The issue of plastic waste is not limited to a single country or region. A study by Loughborough University in the United Kingdom found that the majority of litter in the country is made up of plastic, with drinks packaging being the most common item discarded into the environment. This is despite European-wide initiatives to reduce single-use plastic, indicating a disconnect between environmental legislation and the reality of plastic pollution.

Plastic containers, specifically those used for beverages, contribute significantly to the litter problem. It is estimated that 14% of all litter comes from beverage containers, including plastic bottles, caps, and labels. With the proliferation of plastic products and our "disposable" lifestyle, it is crucial to address the environmental impact of plastic waste and promote more sustainable alternatives.

Plastic recycling: 8.7% of plastic recycled in 2018

Plastic is everywhere, and it's cheap, versatile, and incredibly durable. However, these qualities have also made it an environmental issue. Plastic waste is a growing problem, with an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic currently polluting our oceans. The mass production of plastics, which began just six decades ago, has resulted in 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic, most of which ends up as trash. While plastic recycling is often touted as the solution to this pollution crisis, the reality is that only a small fraction of plastic is actually being recycled.

In 2018, the recycling rate of plastic in the United States was just 8.7%. This means that of the 35.7 million tons of plastic generated in the US that year, only 3 million tons were recycled. The recycling rates for specific types of plastic containers were slightly higher, with PET bottles and jars at 29.1% and HDPE natural bottles at 29.3%. However, these numbers still fall far short of addressing the overall plastic waste problem.

The low recycling rates are concerning, especially considering that plastic waste generation is increasing. In the US, plastic waste generation rose while the amount recycled declined in 2018. This trend is partly due to China's ban on importing plastic waste, which has left the US struggling to find alternative solutions. Additionally, the costs of recycling are rising, and the expansion of plastic production is keeping the prices of new plastics comparatively low.

To address the plastic waste crisis, a comprehensive and global approach is necessary. This includes rethinking plastic chemistry, product design, recycling strategies, and consumer use. While recycling can be a part of the solution, it is not enough on its own. We need to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and disposable products, as well as improve our waste management systems to prevent plastic pollution from damaging our environment and oceans.

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