The Dark Truth Of Plastic Recycling And Landfills

Plastic is everywhere, and it is shockingly profitable. However, the vast majority of plastic ends up in landfills or the environment. According to a 2022 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 72% of the plastic we make ends up in landfills or the environment. In 2018, the recycling rate of plastic in the US was 8.7%, but it decreased to 5-6% in 2021. This means that 85% of plastic waste went to landfills. While recycling is a good solution to plastic waste, it is not enough to manage the growing amount of plastic waste being generated.

Plastic recycling rates are low due to misinformation and a lack of infrastructure

Plastic recycling rates are low due to a combination of misinformation and a lack of infrastructure. Misinformation about plastic recycling has been perpetuated by various entities, including some environmental groups and even recycling symbols that imply all plastics are recyclable. This has led to a false perception that plastic recycling is a credible solution to plastic waste and pollution. However, the reality is that only a small portion of plastic waste is actually recycled, with a significant amount ending up in landfills.

In the United States, for example, the plastic recycling rate was only 8.7% in 2018, and it decreased further to 5-6% in 2021. This means that a large proportion of plastic waste generated in the US ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Similar issues are seen globally, with only 18% of global plastic waste being recycled, while 79% ends up in landfills or the natural environment.

The low recycling rates can be attributed to a lack of infrastructure and proper waste management systems. Many countries, particularly developing nations, lack the resources and infrastructure to effectively manage plastic waste. This results in plastic waste being disposed of improperly, leading to pollution and harm to wildlife, marine life, and the environment. Additionally, the cost of recycling can be high due to the required technologies, and the quality of recycled plastic is often lower than that of virgin plastics.

To improve plastic recycling rates, increased investment in infrastructure and consumer education is necessary. This includes developing new technologies for disposing of plastic waste, improving collection methods, and implementing consistent legislation and definitions surrounding recycling and recyclable materials. By addressing misinformation and investing in infrastructure, we can work towards reducing plastic waste and its negative impact on the environment.

Plastic is cheap to make and profitable, which has contributed to its high production

Plastic is cheap to produce and highly profitable, which has contributed to its high production. Firstly, the raw materials used to make plastic, such as polythene, are waste products of the petroleum industry. This makes the base materials inexpensive and readily available. Additionally, plastic products can be cheaply and quickly created through injection moulding. While creating the mould for an injection moulding machine is expensive, once it's done, thousands of plastic parts can be mass-produced very quickly (often in under a minute per part). This high speed and volume of production keep costs low.

Another factor contributing to the profitability of plastic production is the established production and distribution system for petroleum products. In comparison, recycling plastic is more labour-intensive and expensive. Sorting and separating recyclable materials is challenging, and different kinds of plastic often cannot be combined in manufacturing recycled products. For example, even small amounts of PVC can significantly degrade PET.

The functionality of recycled plastic products is also a concern for manufacturers. Consumers may be hesitant to use products made from recycled plastic due to potential quality or safety issues. For instance, Gutowski, an expert from MIT, visited a recycling centre where picnic tables made from recycled plastic lumber caused rashes on people's elbows. This raises questions about consumer acceptance of recycled plastic products for certain applications, such as drinking water bottles.

Furthermore, plastic waste has increased significantly over the years. In the United States, plastic waste generation increased five-fold from 1980 to 2018, peaking at 35.7 million tons. Despite efforts to increase recycling, the rate of plastic recycling in the US decreased from 8.7% in 2018 to 5-6% in 2021. This low recycling rate is attributed to a “decades-long misinformation campaign to perpetuate the myth that plastic is recyclable." As a result, a significant amount of plastic waste ends up in landfills, with 85% of US plastic waste going to landfills in 2021.

While some countries and companies are taking steps to reduce plastic waste, such as implementing extended producer responsibility plans or pledging to increase the use of recycled materials, plastic remains a highly profitable and inexpensive material to produce, contributing to its high production levels.

Plastic waste has increased five-fold in the US from 1980 to 2018

Plastic waste in the US has witnessed a massive surge, increasing five-fold from 1980 to 2018. The numbers paint a grim picture: in 1980, the United States generated 7.4 million tons of plastic waste, but by 2018, this figure had skyrocketed to 35.7 million tons. This dramatic increase highlights a pressing environmental concern that demands urgent attention.

The surge in plastic waste can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the United States is one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, and its demand for plastics has shown little sign of abating. This high consumption has significant repercussions, as plastic waste generation in the US far exceeds the global average per capita. In 2019, plastic waste generation in the US was estimated at 73 million metric tons, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant. This is approximately five times the global average per capita plastic waste generation.

Compounding the issue is the low recycling rate of plastics in the US. Despite the existence of recycling facilities, the recycling of plastic waste has lagged far behind. In 2018, the recycling rate for plastic waste was only 8.7%, a decrease from its peak of 9.5% in 2014. This low recycling rate is partly due to the misconception that plastic is recyclable. Judith Enck, the president of Beyond Plastics, points out that the three-arrow recycling symbol is misleading, as most municipalities only recycle certain types of plastics, leaving consumers confused.

The consequences of this five-fold increase in plastic waste are far-reaching. Plastic waste has severe environmental and health impacts, particularly concerning its effect on marine life. Additionally, a significant portion of plastic waste ends up in landfills. In 2021, it was estimated that 85% of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the US went to landfills, while only 5-6% was recycled. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address the burgeoning plastic waste crisis in the United States.

Plastic is harder to recycle than materials like glass and paper

Glass, on the other hand, can be recycled repeatedly, and it is typically cheaper to make new glass from recycled glass than from raw materials. In the United States, 31.3% of the 12.3 million tons of glass generated in 2018 was recycled. Metal and paper recycling are also more straightforward processes than plastic recycling. Metal recycling, particularly of aluminum, can be done indefinitely, and the recycled metal can be used to create the same product again without any loss in quality.

Paper, while not infinitely recyclable like metal, can be recycled multiple times, and paper recycling rates are high. In 2020, 65% of paper used in the United States was recycled. However, the process of removing inks and dyes weakens the paper fibres, limiting the number of times paper can be recycled.

In contrast, plastic recycling often results in downcycling, where the recycled material is of lower quality and used to create different, less technically demanding products. This is because the long polymer chains that make up plastics become shorter each time they are melted down, and different combinations of additives used to give plastics specific properties result in unpredictable and often suboptimal combinations when mixed during recycling.

The market demand for secondary plastics, or recycled plastics, is also lower than that for primary plastics, creating a further challenge for plastic recycling. Additionally, the amount of plastic waste generated continues to increase, with a five-fold increase in the United States from 1980 to 2018, and only a small percentage of this waste being recycled.

While recycling is an important part of waste management, the challenges associated with plastic recycling highlight the need to reduce plastic usage and explore more sustainable alternatives.

Plastic waste management strategies are being implemented in some countries

Plastic waste is an ever-growing global issue, with plastic waste generation increasing five-fold in the US from 1980 to 2018. In 2021, of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the US, only 5-6% was recycled, with 85% ending up in landfills. This highlights the urgent need for effective plastic waste management strategies.

Some countries have attempted to implement a circular economy to minimise plastic pollution and maximise the utilisation of recyclable materials. This includes the Netherlands, Austria, the United States, Sweden, and Finland. These countries have recognised the importance of reducing plastic waste generation and promoting sustainable waste management practices.

One successful example of community-led plastic waste management is Nipe Fagio in Tanzania. They have achieved a remarkable 75-80% reduction in landfill waste in several cities. Nipe Fagio collects four different types of trash from households, sorts recyclable materials, composts organic waste, and sends the remaining waste to landfills. Their approach involves the active participation of residents, waste collectors, and workers at collection centres, demonstrating the effectiveness of community engagement in waste management.

To address plastic waste effectively, a combination of non-technical and technical approaches is necessary. Non-technical strategies include increasing public awareness, strengthening laws and regulations, and facilitating the ease of plastic waste collection. Technical approaches involve modern technologies for post-collection treatments, such as waste-to-energy (WtE) and waste-to-products (WtP) conversion.

Additionally, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) plans have been proposed, which require producers of plastic packaging to provide funding for the management of these materials after their initial use. However, EPR has faced challenges due to a lack of financial support, general regulations, and effective implementation at the local level.

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