Plastic Companies: Dumping Grounds For Toxic Waste

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with the world dumping 2000 truckloads of plastic into the ocean, rivers, and lakes each day. The primary sources of plastic waste are the top 20 companies producing over 50% of single-use plastics, with ExxonMobil being the largest contributor. The plastic waste crisis is exacerbated by low recycling rates, with only 9% of plastic being recycled globally and even less in the United States, at 5% in 2019. This waste often ends up in landfills, which can lead to pollution of the surrounding environment and contribute to climate change. Developing new recycling techniques and addressing the root causes of plastic pollution are crucial steps in combating this global issue.

The world dumps 2,000 truckloads of plastic into the ocean each day

The world produces around 400 million metric tons of plastic waste each year. Every day, 2,000 truckloads of plastic are dumped into the ocean, rivers, and lakes. This waste often washes ashore, accumulating on beaches and forming islands in the sea. Loji Beach in West Java is particularly prone to plastic pile-ups, with ocean currents sweeping waste into the bay.

The plastic pollution crisis is driven by a small group of companies and banks that dominate the production of single-use plastics. ExxonMobil, the US chemicals company Dow, and China's Sinopec are among the top contributors to global plastic waste. These companies, along with 20 global banks, provide commercial finance funding for single-use plastic production. Despite global efforts to address the issue, only 9% of plastic products are recycled, with most waste going into landfills or being shipped to Southeast Asian nations.

The impact of plastic waste extends beyond environmental concerns. The market value of landfilled plastic in the US ranges from $4.5 billion to $9.9 billion, or $7.2 billion on average. The energy embodied in this waste plastic equates to about 12% of the country's energy consumption by the industrial sector. However, the recycling rate remains low, with only 5% of waste plastic in the US recycled in 2019.

To address the plastic waste crisis, it is crucial to target the root cause: the production and use of single-use plastics. Developing new recycling techniques and transitioning to a circular economy, where discarded items are reused, can help reduce plastic waste generation. Additionally, collective action and zero tolerance for littering can contribute to mitigating this global issue.

ExxonMobil is the biggest contributor to global plastic waste

Plastic waste is a significant global challenge. While it is often the responsibility of governments and waste management operations to deal with plastic waste, the onus also falls on the companies that produce plastic. According to the Plastic Waste Makers Index, published by the Minderoo Foundation, 20 companies are responsible for over half of the single-use plastic waste in the world. ExxonMobil tops this list, contributing 5.9 million metric tons to global plastic waste.

ExxonMobil is a US energy giant. It is closely followed on the list by the US chemicals company Dow and China's Sinopec. These three companies, along with 17 others, are the source of more than half of all single-use plastic items thrown away globally. The Plastic Waste Makers Index also highlights that these companies are supported by a small number of financial backers.

The report warns that plastic production is set to grow by 30% in the next five years, creating even more plastic waste and exacerbating the climate emergency. It is the first time that the financial and material flows of single-use plastic production have been mapped and traced back to their source. This has revealed the sheer scale of the global crisis, and the need to break the pattern of inaction.

ExxonMobil has responded to the report, stating that the company "shares society's concern about plastic waste and agrees it must be addressed." The company says it is taking action to address plastic waste by increasing plastic recyclability and supporting improvements in plastic waste recovery. ExxonMobil has also begun building a market for certified circular polymers made from waste at its new advanced recycling facility in Baytown, which is one of the largest in North America. The company has plans for up to 500,000 metric tons per year of advanced recycling capacity by the end of 2026.

Plastic waste correlates with population size

Plastic waste is a critical issue facing the planet, with far-reaching impacts. Humans currently produce over 350 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, with global plastic production doubling since the turn of the century to nearly 400 million metric tons in 2021. This waste is polluting the deepest oceans and the tallest mountains, affecting human health, destroying ecosystems, and harming wildlife.

The correlation between plastic waste and population size is evident when examining the data. Population density is a significant factor in determining the likelihood of plastic waste ending up in natural environments. Regions with higher population densities tend to generate more plastic waste, which can eventually leak into the environment if not properly managed.

This correlation is further supported by the fact that most plastic waste entering the oceans comes from middle-income countries, particularly in Asia. These countries often have large populations and may struggle with effective waste management due to limited resources. The OECD's Global Plastic Outlook model, which estimates plastic influx into natural environments, considers population density as a key factor, along with GDP per capita, waste statistics, terrain, and proximity to coastlines and rivers.

Additionally, the production of single-use plastics, which account for a significant portion of plastic waste, is dominated by a small group of companies. Just 20 companies are responsible for over half of the single-use plastic waste globally, and their operations are closely linked to population centers, where their products are in high demand.

The correlation between plastic waste and population size underscores the importance of effective waste management strategies. While reducing plastic consumption is essential, improving recycling, incineration, and sealed landfilling practices can significantly mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste, especially in regions with high population densities.

Only 9% of plastic is recycled

Plastic is everywhere, and it is cheap to produce and highly profitable. However, it is causing a global crisis, with plastic pollution being one of the most critical environmental issues of our time. The production and use of single-use plastics epitomize this crisis, with a small group of companies and banks dominating the global production of throwaway plastics.

In 2018, the United States generated 35.7 million tons of plastic, amounting to 12.2% of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. While the recycling of some specific types of plastic containers is more significant, the overall recycling rate for plastic in the US that year was only 8.7% (approximately 3 million tons). This means that only a small fraction of the total plastic waste generated in the US was recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills or the environment.

The low recycling rate of plastic is a concern, and it is important to address this issue at its source. The companies that produce plastics need to be held accountable for the environmental impact of their products and should be encouraged or required to develop more recyclable and sustainable alternatives. This includes creating products that can be reused, repaired, or recycled into new materials, thus extending their lifespan and reducing the amount of waste generated.

Additionally, it is worth noting that not all plastics are recyclable. For example, PVC, commonly used in pipes, breaks down into toxic components and cannot be recycled. More sustainable alternatives, such as PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), are available, but they are not widely used. Producing biodegradable or compostable plastics that actually degrade in natural environments, rather than just in industrial reactors, is a challenge that the industry needs to address.

Plastic waste is a global crisis

The crisis is caused by a small number of companies and banks that dominate the production of throwaway plastics. Only 20 companies are responsible for producing over 50% of the single-use plastic waste worldwide. ExxonMobil tops the list, contributing 5.9 million tons of plastic waste globally. The crisis is further exacerbated by the fact that only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, with most plastic waste going into landfills or shipped to Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia, that are already struggling with their own plastic pollution.

The impact of plastic waste is far-reaching. It affects the environment, with plastic pollution piling up in the ocean, rivers, and lakes, forming islands in the sea and accumulating on beaches. The garbage is unsightly and can have deadly consequences for marine life. Plastic waste also contributes to climate change, as it is hard to break down and can take a long time to degrade, especially under low oxygen conditions.

The crisis is not just environmental but also a waste management and land use issue. As landfills close in many areas, local governments and industry developers are faced with the challenge of finding alternative solutions to manage the increasing amount of plastic waste. Developing new recycling techniques for plastics is crucial to creating a circular economy where discarded items are reused instead of virgin plastics.

Collective action and individual efforts are essential to tackling the plastic waste crisis. While individual impact may be limited, societal norms can be influenced through zero-tolerance for littering and abandoning waste. Additionally, addressing the financial institutions behind the production of single-use plastics is vital. Breaking the pattern of inaction and disclosing data on the production and environmental impact of throwaway plastics can help drive change.

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