Alexei Volkov
Plastic is one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive industries in the manufacturing sector. The production, use, and disposal of plastics create carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change. The extraction and transportation of the fossil fuels used to create plastics are carbon-intensive activities, and the refining process is also greenhouse-gas intensive. With the production of plastics expected to triple by 2060, the environmental impact of plastics is set to grow significantly. However, replacing plastics with alternative materials may not always be the best solution, as some alternatives have higher GHG emissions than plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic as a GHG-intensive material | One of the most GHG-intensive industries in the manufacturing sector |
| GHG emissions from plastic in China in 2020 | 304 million metric tons (Mt) CO2eq |
| Plastic's contribution to global GHG emissions in 2019 | 1.8 billion tons of GHG emissions (3.4% of the world's total emissions) |
| Plastic's contribution to global GHG emissions | 3.3% of global emissions (54.6 billion tons of CO2eq) |
| Plastic's impact on climate change | Accelerates climate breakdown and threatens our ability to maintain a sustainable climate |
| Plastic's impact on the environment | Harms marine life, damages soil, poisons groundwater, and harms living creatures |
| Plastic waste | 22% of all plastic waste ends up in the environment, with most of it in the ocean |
| Plastic waste in oceans | Microplastics end up in our bodies through food, water, and packaging |
| Single-use plastic products | Contribute to plastic waste, with two-thirds of all plastic waste coming from single-use and short-lived plastic products |
| Plastic recycling | Less than 10% of the total 7 billion tons of plastic waste generated globally has been recycled |
| Plastic production and GHG emissions | The production stage of plastic has the highest GHG emissions, particularly the conversion of fossil fuels into plastics |
| Plastic alternatives and GHG emissions | Replacing plastics with alternatives can sometimes increase GHG emissions |
| Strategies to reduce plastic's GHG emissions | Use of bio-based plastics, low-carbon energy, improved waste collection, removal of toxic chemicals, reduction in the use of forever chemicals, and bolstering recycling and recovery programs |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic production is GHG-intensive
Plastic production is greenhouse gas (GHG)-intensive, contributing to global warming and climate change. The plastic industry is dependent on fossil fuels, which result in significant GHG emissions. Oil, gas, and coal are the fossil fuel building blocks of plastics, and the extraction and transportation of these fuels are carbon-intensive activities. The refining process for plastics is also GHG-intensive, with emissions from manufacturing ethylene, a common building block for polyethylene plastics, contributing large amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
The production stage of plastic life cycles dominates overall emissions. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the life-cycle emissions of plastics, including production and disposal, were 1.8 billion tonnes of GHG emissions in 2019, or about 3.4% of global emissions. Most of these emissions come from the production stage, which involves converting fossil fuels into plastics. China, for example, generated 304 million metric tons of CO2eq in 2020 through synthetic resin production for plastics.
The environmental trade-offs of plastics occur throughout their life cycles, accelerating climate breakdown. GHG emissions are associated with the plastic life cycle across all stages of the material supply chain, from production to use and disposal. The use of plastic products with high emission technologies or widespread commercial applications can further increase environmental burdens. For instance, the increased use of medical and packaging products during the COVID-19 pandemic led to additional environmental impacts from managing clinical waste.
To prevent elevated GHG emissions from the plastic industry, several strategies have been proposed, such as replacing fossil fuel-based plastics with bio-based plastics, using low-carbon energy, and increasing the recovery and recycling of plastic waste. However, any action to reduce the impacts of plastics must be carefully examined to ensure GHG emissions are not unintentionally increased through a shift to more emission-intensive alternative materials. Overall, the plastic production stage is a significant contributor to GHG emissions, and addressing this issue is crucial in mitigating climate change.
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Plastic alternatives may be worse
Plastic is one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG)-intensive industries in the manufacturing sector. In 2020, China generated 304 million metric tons of CO2eq from synthetic resin production, with an additional 99 million metric tons of CO2eq emitted due to further plastic production. The OECD estimates that the life-cycle emissions of plastics were 1.8 billion tonnes, with around 90% coming from the production stage.
While there is a growing movement to reduce the use of plastics, particularly single-use plastics, some alternatives may not be as environmentally friendly as they seem. For example, paper and cardboard require more energy to produce than plastic and have a higher carbon footprint during transportation due to their weight. Similarly, glass and aluminium have higher emissions during the production stage compared to plastic, with glass emitting three times as much and aluminium twice as much.
In addition, some biodegradable alternatives, such as compostable plastics, may not fully degrade outside of controlled environments, and their disposal may require specialised facilities that are not widely available. Plant-based plastics, or bioplastics, have been proposed as a green alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics, but most are not recyclable and require specialised collection facilities.
The most sustainable option is to reduce single-use products and adopt reusable alternatives. This can include switching from single-use plastic bags to tote bags, using reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles, and opting for reusable cutlery and mugs instead of disposable plastic options.
Overall, while the environmental impact of plastics is significant, it is important to carefully consider the trade-offs when adopting plastic alternatives to ensure they truly offer a reduction in GHG emissions and environmental impact.
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Plastic waste and pollution
Plastic refining is also a significant contributor to GHG emissions. In 2015, emissions from manufacturing ethylene, the building block for polyethylene plastics, were estimated to be between 184.3 and 213 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, comparable to the annual emissions of 45 million passenger vehicles. Globally, carbon dioxide emissions from ethylene production are projected to increase by 34% between 2015 and 2030.
The disposal of plastics also contributes to GHG emissions. Waste incineration, one of the methods for processing plastic waste, has the largest climate impact among the options, which include landfill and recycling. According to the CIEL report, U.S. emissions from plastics incineration in 2015 were 5.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Additionally, plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries, ending up in rivers, oceans, or on land, harming marine life and biodiversity. Microplastics can also find their way into our bodies through food, water, and packaging, impacting our health.
To address plastic waste and pollution, various strategies have been proposed. These include improving waste collection, especially in developing countries, removing toxic chemicals from plastic formulations, reducing the use of persistent chemicals, and enhancing recycling and recovery programs. The United Nations has also agreed to develop an international legally binding agreement by 2024 to end plastic pollution, tackling the full life cycle of plastics, including production, use, and waste management. Additionally, individuals can play a role by reducing their consumption of single-use plastics, reusing and recycling items, and supporting policies that promote a transition to a circular economy.
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Plastic's full life cycle
Plastics are synthetic polymers designed to be strong, lightweight, and flexible for use in consumer products. They are one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive industries in the manufacturing sector. The life cycle of plastics can be divided into several stages, each with its own environmental impact.
The first stage in the life cycle of plastics is the extraction of crude oil or methane gas, which can be done through mining or drilling. Mining can have negative consequences, such as soil damage and the dumping of excess rock and soil into nearby valleys and streams, affecting marine life and water flow.
The next stage is the production of plastic, which involves converting fossil fuels into plastic. This stage contributes the most to GHG emissions, with around 90% of emissions coming from this part of the process. The specific type of plastic produced also matters; for example, the production of PVC results in higher GHG emissions compared to PP or PE.
Following production, there is the use and disposal stage. Plastic products can be reused, repurposed, or recycled to extend their use before disposal. However, recycling plastic is challenging due to its energy intensity and the fact that plastics are not infinitely recyclable. The quality of plastic decreases with each recycling process, and it will eventually lose its ability to be recycled. Additionally, not all plastics are recycled properly, with many ending up in landfills, litter, or the ocean, causing harm to marine life.
The final stage is the end-of-life stage, which includes the incineration or decomposition of plastic. While emissions from this stage tend to be relatively small, certain types of plastics, such as PET, have a higher emissions impact when incinerated.
Overall, the life cycle of plastics has significant environmental trade-offs, contributing to climate breakdown and threatening our ability to maintain a sustainable climate. To reduce the impact of plastics, a combination of consumer education, reduced plastic purchases, and regulation of plastic producers is necessary.
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Reducing plastic's GHG emissions
Plastics are one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive industries in the manufacturing sector. The production and disposal of plastics create carbon emissions, contributing to global warming and climate breakdown. To reduce the GHG emissions associated with plastics, several strategies can be implemented:
Improve waste collection and recycling programs:
Collection and recycling of plastic waste can help reduce GHG emissions. Improving waste collection, especially in developing countries, and increasing the recycling and recovery of plastics can mitigate the environmental impact of plastic disposal. However, it is important to carefully examine any actions or policies to ensure that GHG emissions are not unintentionally increased by shifting to more emission-intensive alternative materials.
Reduce the use of toxic chemicals and "forever chemicals":
Removing toxic chemicals, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, from plastic formulations can decrease their environmental impact. These chemicals persist in the environment and can have harmful effects on ecosystems and human health.
Promote the use of bio-based plastics and low-carbon energy:
Transitioning from fossil fuel-based plastics to bio-based alternatives can help reduce GHG emissions. Using low-carbon energy in the production process can also lower the carbon intensity of plastic manufacturing.
Reduce plastic waste in waterways and oceans:
Plastic waste in waterways and oceans has a significant environmental impact. By reducing plastic pollution and improving waste management, we can decrease the amount of plastic waste that harms marine life and ends up in our food, water, and packaging, ultimately entering our bodies.
Encourage the reuse, repair, and resale of plastic items:
Promoting the reuse of plastic items, such as shopping second-hand and repairing items instead of buying new products, can help reduce the demand for new plastic products. Additionally, reselling or donating usable goods can keep them out of landfills, reducing the amount of plastic waste.
Support a transition to an economy without single-use plastics:
Single-use and short-lived plastic products contribute significantly to plastic waste. Encouraging political representatives to support a transition to an economy without single-use plastics can help drive systemic change and reduce the environmental impact of plastic production and disposal.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastics are one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive materials.
The life-cycle emissions of plastics, which includes the production of the material and its disposal, was 1.8 billion tonnes in 2019, according to the OECD. This is around 3.3% to 3.4% of global emissions.
The plastic industry is dependent on fossil fuels, which results in large and growing CO2 emissions. GHG emissions occur at every stage of the plastic life cycle, from the extraction and transportation of fossil fuels to the manufacturing and disposal of plastics.
To reduce GHG emissions associated with plastics, we can replace fossil fuel-based plastics with bio-based plastics, use low-carbon energy, improve waste collection, remove toxic chemicals from plastic formulations, and bolster recycling and recovery programs.
In some cases, replacing plastics with alternative materials can result in higher GHG emissions. For example, PET bottles have lower emissions than aluminum cans or glass bottles. However, it is important to carefully consider any alternatives to plastic to ensure that GHG emissions are not unintentionally increased.
