Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a rapidly growing component of municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, the United States generated 35.7 million tons of plastic, with the containers and packaging category contributing the most plastic tonnage. While the recycling rate for some specific types of plastic containers is more significant, such as PET bottles and jars at 29.1% in 2018, it is estimated that 91% of plastic globally is not recycled. This has led to a critical question: how much space does a ton of plastic take up? Understanding the space requirements for plastic waste is essential for managing landfills and reducing environmental impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Density of plastic waste at 30m below the ground | 0.52 tonnes per cubic meter |
| Volume of space needed to store one tonne of plastic | 1.9 m3 |
| Volume of space saved by recycling one ton of plastic | 3 cubic yards or 30.4 cubic yards |
| Energy saved by recycling one ton of plastic | 5,774 kilowatt hours |
| Oil saved by recycling one ton of plastic | 16 barrels or 16.3 barrels |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste in landfills
Plastic waste is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). The mass production of plastics, which began just six decades ago, has accelerated so rapidly that it has created 8.3 billion metric tons, most of which are disposable products that end up as trash. If present trends continue, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic in landfills by 2050. This amount is 35,000 times as heavy as the Empire State Building.
The world has produced 9.5 billion tons of plastic to date. Sending all of this to landfill would require 18.3 billion cubic meters of space. The density of plastic waste is around 0.52 tons per cubic meter. This means we need a volume of 1.9 cubic meters to store one ton of plastic.
Landfills received 27 million tons of plastic in 2018, which was 18.5% of all MSW landfilled. The primary data source on the generation of plastics is the American Chemistry Council. In 2018, plastics generation was 35.7 million tons in the United States, which was 12.2% of MSW generation. While the overall amount of recycled plastics is relatively small, the recycling of some specific types of plastic containers is more significant. For example, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, and the rate for HDPE natural bottles was 29.3%.
Recycling plastic waste has significant energy savings, with an energy-saving of 66% compared to new material production. One ton of recycled plastic can reduce energy consumption by 5,774 kilowatt-hours, landfill space by 30.4 cubic yards, gasoline consumption by 1,000 to 2,000 gallons, and oil consumption by 16 barrels.
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Plastic density in landfills
Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, landfills in the United States received 27 million tons of plastic, accounting for 18.5% of all MSW landfilled. While the exact density of plastics in landfills is challenging to determine due to various factors, estimates place it at around 0.2 to 0.52 tonnes per cubic meter (m3). This means that to store one tonne of plastic, we need a volume of approximately 1.9 m3.
The density of plastic waste in landfills can vary depending on several factors. One crucial factor is the depth of burial. When plastic is buried deeper, the pressure increases, leading to a higher density. For example, at a depth of 30 meters, the density of plastic waste can reach 0.52 tonnes per m3. On the other hand, near the surface, the density is estimated to be around 0.2 tonnes per m3.
The type of plastic also influences its density in landfills. Different polymers have diverse densities, affecting the overall density of plastic waste. For instance, thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (including low-density polyethylene, LDPE, and high-density polyethylene, HDPE) are common types of plastic found in landfills, each with its own density characteristics.
Additionally, the degradation of plastic over time in landfills can impact its density. Plastic materials undergo chemical, photochemical, and biological degradation, leading to changes in their chemical structure and physical properties. This degradation process can result in the formation of secondary microplastics (MPs) pollution, further complicating the determination of plastic density in landfills.
The environmental implications of plastic density in landfills are significant. As plastic waste degrades, it can release toxic substances, such as harmful volatile organic compounds. Additionally, the formation and spread of microplastics from landfills contribute to pollution, affecting various floral and faunal species.
In conclusion, while the exact density of plastic in landfills may vary, it is evident that the world's plastic waste would require a substantial amount of space for storage. The density of plastic waste in landfills is influenced by factors such as burial depth, type of plastic, and degradation over time. Understanding these factors is crucial for managing plastic waste effectively and mitigating its environmental impact.
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Plastic recycling rates
The recycling rate for plastic is extremely low compared to other materials. While paper is recycled at a rate of 66% (according to 2020 data from the American Forest and Products Association), plastic recycling has never reached 10%. In 2018, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recorded a recycling rate of 8.7% for plastics, while other sources state that the rate has fallen to 5-6% as of 2021. This is despite the fact that plastics are a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW) and are found in all major MSW categories.
In 2018, the total generation of plastics in the United States was 35.7 million tons, with containers and packaging constituting the most significant category, at over 14.5 million tons. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, other packaging, PET bottles and jars, and HDPE natural bottles, among other containers. Despite the vast quantities of plastic waste generated, the recycling rate for specific types of plastic containers is more promising. For instance, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, while HDPE natural bottles achieved a rate of 29.3%.
The low overall recycling rate for plastics has led to a significant amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills. In 2018, US landfills received 27 million tons of plastic, representing 18.5% of all MSW landfilled. When considering the density of plastic waste, which is approximately 0.52 tonnes per cubic metre (m3), it becomes evident that vast spaces are required to accommodate this waste.
To put it into perspective, if we were to bury plastics 30 metres below the ground, we would need a volume of 1.9 m3 to store one tonne of plastic. This means that the 9.5 billion tonnes of plastic produced globally to date would require a volume of 18.3 billion m3. In terms of the area covered, this volume of plastic waste translates to a city-sized piece of land. For example, a landfill one metre thick covering 18,000 km2, which is the size of 1.5 New York Cities.
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Plastic production and energy consumption
Plastic is a widely used material, but it requires a lot of energy to produce. The production of plastic accounts for 3% of total US energy consumption, with similar figures for worldwide production. The manufacture of plastic is both energy-intensive and emissions-intensive, with significant emissions produced through the cracking of alkanes into olefins, the polymerization and plasticization of olefins into plastic resins, and other chemical refining processes. The energy required to produce just one kilogram of plastic is 62-108 MJ, making it far less energy-efficient than other materials such as aluminium.
The primary feedstock for plastic production is oil, and outside the US, where natural gas is the primary feedstock, oil extraction and refining are responsible for approximately 108 million metric tons of CO2e per year. In the US, emissions from fossil fuel extraction and transport attributed to plastic production were estimated at 9.5-10.5 million metric tons of CO2e per year in 2015. In addition, the incineration of plastic produces large amounts of greenhouse gases, with US emissions from plastic incineration in 2015 estimated at 5.9 million metric tons of CO2e.
The plastic production process also has significant environmental impacts beyond emissions. Plastic is primarily landfilled, recycled, or incinerated, and each of these methods produces greenhouse gas emissions. Landfilling emits the least amount of greenhouse gases, but it presents other significant risks, including the closure of landfills in many areas. Recycling has a moderate emissions profile but is highly beneficial in terms of energy conservation, with one ton of recycled plastic saving 5,774 kilowatt-hours of energy, 16 barrels of oil, and 30 cubic yards of landfill space.
Efforts to reduce the environmental impact of plastic production and waste management are ongoing. Stanford University, for example, has implemented recycling programs that have reduced energy consumption by using recovered materials instead of raw materials, resulting in fewer fossil fuels being burned. Recycling programs have positive economic and environmental impacts, creating new jobs and businesses while also reducing waste and energy costs.
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Plastic waste in oceans
The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year. However, the exact amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean is difficult to determine. While early studies estimated that 8 million tonnes of plastic entered the ocean each year, more recent research suggests that the figure is between 1 and 2 million tonnes. This discrepancy has been referred to as the "missing plastic problem".
One explanation for the missing plastic is that ultraviolet light breaks down plastics very quickly, resulting in microplastics—small plastic particles that can be found in deep-sea sediments and ocean sand. Microplastics can also form when photodegradable plastics break down into tiny pieces. These microplastics are ingested by marine animals, causing life-threatening issues such as reduced fitness, nutrient uptake, and feeding efficiency. They have been found in over 60% of seabirds and all sea turtle species.
Another factor contributing to the missing plastic problem is the transportation of plastic waste out to sea. Buoyant, lighter plastics tend to move towards the ocean and float on the surface, while denser plastics sink to the seabed. It is estimated that 94% of plastic waste has sunk to the ocean floor, with 358 trillion microplastic particles floating on the surface. Additionally, plastic waste can accumulate in ocean garbage patches, with the largest patch being roughly three times the size of France.
The amount of plastic waste entering the ocean is influenced by waste management practices. Mismanaged waste, which is not recycled, incinerated, or stored in secure landfills, accounts for about one-quarter of the world's plastic waste. This waste is vulnerable to polluting the environment and entering aquatic ecosystems. Improper disposal, such as littering and intentional dumping, further contributes to plastic pollution in oceans.
To address the issue of plastic waste in oceans, it is crucial to improve waste management practices globally, especially in rapidly growing economies and communities lacking waste management infrastructure. This includes reducing plastic consumption, holding plastic producers accountable, and supporting initiatives that promote a future free of plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
A ton of plastic takes up 1.9 cubic metres of space.
The world has produced 9.5 billion tons of plastic to date.
Storing all the plastic in the world would require 18.3 billion cubic metres of space. This is equivalent to a landfill that is 1 metre thick and covers an area of 18,000 square kilometres, or 1.5 New Yorks.
