Recovering Plastic Waste: How Much Do We Save?

Plastic is everywhere, and it's cheap and easy to produce. However, it's shocking how little of it is actually recycled. According to the OECD, only 9% of the world's plastic is recycled, with the remaining 91% being incinerated, dumped in landfills, or polluting the environment. In the US, the situation is even worse, with only 5% of household plastic waste being recycled. While recycling is one solution, experts argue that the only way to truly address the plastic crisis is to drastically cut down on plastic production, especially single-use plastics.

Plastic waste in the US

Plastic waste is a significant environmental issue in the United States. As one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, with plastic use more than tripling since the 1980s, the US is a major contributor to the growing global plastic waste crisis. In 2019, US plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per person. This was roughly five times the global average per capita.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the amount of plastic waste in the country's municipal solid waste system has grown continuously since 1960, with the most significant increases occurring between 1980 and 2000. Plastic waste increased from 0.4% of total municipal solid waste in 1960 to 12.2% in 2018, reaching 13.2% in 2017. This consists primarily of containers and packaging, including single-use products such as bags, wraps, and bottles.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that the US consumed 18% of global plastic products in 2019, with the highest plastic use per capita worldwide. The OECD projects that without intervention, global plastic use and waste will almost triple by 2060. To address this issue, the EPA released the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, which aims to eliminate plastic pollution released into the environment.

Despite recycling efforts, plastic waste management remains challenging. A Greenpeace report found that most plastic ends up in landfills, and the amount of plastic actually recycled and turned into new products is low. The complex nature of plastic, with thousands of different types, makes it difficult to recycle effectively. Additionally, the production and use of plastic contribute to carbon emissions, with 98% of plastics derived from fossil fuels.

To address the plastic waste crisis, experts emphasize the need for drastic cuts in plastic production, especially single-use plastics. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) plans are being explored, requiring producers to fund the management of plastic products after their initial use. Technological advancements, such as using enzymes to break down plastic, also hold promise for more effective recycling methods.

Plastic waste globally

Plastic waste is one of the most pressing issues facing the planet today. Humans currently produce over 350 million metric tons of plastic waste per year, and global plastic production has doubled since the beginning of the century, reaching almost 400 million metric tons per year in 2021. The consumption of plastic has continued to rise in recent decades, and without changes to current policies, global plastic waste generation is projected to triple by 2060, reaching one billion metric tons.

The probability that mismanaged plastic waste will enter the ocean varies across the world, depending on factors such as the location and length of river systems, proximity to coastlines, terrain, and precipitation patterns. Previous studies have found that around one million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean each year, with an estimated 30 million tons of plastic accumulating in the ocean between 1970 and 2019. Asia accounts for more than 80% of plastic waste emitted into the ocean, with middle-income countries contributing the most. This is due to poorer waste management infrastructure in these countries, as well as their proximity to coastlines and river systems.

The impact of plastic waste pollution on marine life and ecosystems can be devastating. Plastics can take up to 500 years to decompose, depending on their composition and disposal, and during this time, they can pollute oceans, destroy ecosystems, and harm wildlife, especially marine species. In addition, plastic waste can affect human health, as it can release harmful pollutants when incinerated, and it can also contaminate water sources when it ends up in rivers and lakes.

To address the global plastic waste crisis, systemic change is required, driven by policy and innovation. Improving waste management strategies is crucial to ending plastic waste pollution, and this includes promoting recycling and reducing plastic consumption. However, the economics of recycling are often stacked against success, with virgin plastic being cheaper than recycled plastic due to fossil fuel subsidies. Additionally, the rise of flexible packaging, such as multi-layered food packets, has made recycling more difficult due to contamination and complex composition. Nevertheless, addressing the global plastic crisis requires a fundamental shift in our relationship with plastic, and this includes improving waste management infrastructure, especially in low-to-middle-income countries.

Plastic recycling rates

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that in 2018, the recycling rate of plastic in the US was 8.7%. This means that while three million tons of plastic were recycled, 27 million tons ended up in landfills, and 5.6 million tons were combusted. The EPA also noted that the containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage, with over 14.5 million tons in 2018. This category includes bags, sacks, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and other containers.

The recycling rates for specific types of plastic containers are more promising. For example, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, while the rate for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) natural bottles was 29.3%. However, it is important to note that plastic cannot be melted down together, and it degrades after one or two uses, making it challenging to recycle effectively.

Despite efforts to improve plastic recycling, the problem is complex and multifaceted. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) plans, which require producers of plastic packaging to provide funding for waste management, have been implemented in many countries, including most of Europe and Ghana. Additionally, biotechnology companies like Carbios are working on innovative ways to break down and recycle plastic using enzymes and microbes. However, as Neil Tangri, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, states, "We have to dramatically reduce the amount of plastic that we make. Everything else is second order." Marcus Eriksen, a marine scientist and co-founder of the 5 Gyres Institute, agrees, stating that solutions such as recycling and reuse cannot keep up with the sheer volume of plastic waste being produced.

Plastic recycling challenges

Plastic recycling is a complex and challenging issue that involves various environmental, economic, and social factors. One of the primary challenges is the sheer volume of plastic waste generated. Plastic production has been increasing, with an estimated 14.5 million tons of plastic containers and packaging waste in the US alone in 2018. This waste often ends up in landfills, oceans, and other natural environments, leading to plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health.

Another challenge is the compatibility and sorting of plastics. There are thousands of different types of plastics, and they cannot be melted down together. The recycling process requires robust sorting systems to separate the various types of plastics, which can be costly and inefficient. Additionally, plastic degrades after one or two uses, and with each turnover, making it challenging to recycle. The sorting and recycling process can cost up to $120 per ton, compared to $60 per ton for landfilling, making it economically unviable for many recycling facilities.

The economics of recycling also pose a challenge. Virgin plastic, derived from fossil fuels, is often subsidized and cheaper to produce than recycled plastic. This price disparity discourages the use of recycled materials. Flexible packaging, such as lightweight snack packets, further exacerbates the problem as they are difficult to recycle due to contamination and complex composition. The recycling system itself is deeply flawed and often unable to keep up with the volume and variety of plastic waste generated.

Furthermore, there is a lack of transparency and inconsistency in plastic recycling data. Recycling rates are measured differently across the world, making it challenging to accurately compare and assess the effectiveness of recycling programs. The data is also unreliable due to illegal and unofficial plastic dumping, making it difficult to truly understand the scope of plastic waste entering the environment.

Lastly, there is resistance and greenwashing within the plastic industry. Oil and plastic companies have been accused of touting recycling to sell more plastic, creating unrealistic expectations about the recyclability of their products. There is also a conflict of interest as these companies primarily aim to sell virgin material, and any amount of recycled plastic is seen as competition. This resistance to recycling has hindered progress and led to a continued focus on producing and selling new plastic rather than investing in recycling infrastructure and innovation.

Plastic waste solutions

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with only about 9% of the world's plastic recycled. The remaining 91% is incinerated, landfilled, or pollutes the environment. The United States, the world's largest plastic polluter, recycles a mere 5% of its household plastic waste. This waste often ends up in landfills or the ocean, leading to severe ecological and environmental issues.

One significant challenge in addressing plastic waste is the variety of plastic types, which number in the thousands. These different plastics cannot be melted down together, making sorting and recycling them costly and inefficient. Additionally, plastic degrades after one or two uses, and reusing it can lead to increased toxicity. The economics of recycling also pose challenges, as virgin plastic, often subsidized by fossil fuel, is cheaper than recycled plastic. This price disparity discourages the use of recycled materials.

To effectively tackle plastic waste, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Firstly, there needs to be a drastic reduction in plastic production, especially single-use plastics. This can be achieved through policy interventions and extended producer responsibility (EPR) plans, which require producers to provide funding for managing their products' waste. For example, the United Nations Environment Assembly is working towards a global treaty to end plastic pollution.

Secondly, innovation in recycling technologies is crucial. For instance, a French biotechnology company, Carbios, is developing a process to recycle PET using an engineered enzyme, which could potentially be a circular recycling method without the degradation issues of traditional recycling. Additionally, the discovery of the microbe Ideonella sakaiensis, which can break down PET and survive solely on plastic as a food source, offers intriguing possibilities for future recycling methods.

Lastly, consumer and brand behaviour must change. Consumers need to reduce their reliance on plastic and properly dispose of or recycle their plastic waste. Brands, on the other hand, should invest in recycling and explore alternative packaging options. While these steps may be challenging, they are necessary to address the growing problem of plastic waste and protect our environment for future generations.

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