Alexei Volkov
Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the USA. While it is commonly assumed that plastic is recyclable, only a small fraction actually is. In 2018, the recycling rate of plastic in the US was 8.7%, and other sources state that only 5% to 6% of plastic is recycled in the US. The rest ends up in landfills, water sources, and the environment, and can even be found in human bodies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic recycled in the US | 5% to 8.7% |
| Percentage of plastic that ends up in landfills | 72% to 85% |
| Percentage of plastic incinerated | 10% to 19% |
| Amount of plastic waste that enters the ocean each year | 8-11 million tons |
| Number of plastic types that can be melted down together | 0 |
| Plastic items that are recyclable | Clear drinking bottles, some food packaging, milk jugs, shampoo bottles |
| Plastic items that are non-recyclable | Squeezable ketchup bottles, detergent bottles, strawberry containers, bags, yogurt cups |
| Plastic items that are sometimes recyclable | Cups and containers (accepted by 52% of recycling facilities in the US, but less than 5% are actually repurposed) |
| US ranking in plastic pollution | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Only 5% of plastic in the US is recyclable
In the United States, only about 5% of the 46 million tons of plastic waste generated annually is recycled. This is a significant decrease from the previous estimate of nearly 9% just a few years ago. The low recycling rate is due to several factors, including the plastic industry's misleading claims about the recyclability of plastics, the difficulty in recycling different types of plastics together, and the lack of proper recycling infrastructure.
According to Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics, a non-profit organization, the plastic industry has spent millions of dollars misleading the public about the recyclability of plastics. In reality, over 90% of plastics are not recyclable, and consumers are left to deal with the consequences of reducing their plastic consumption. The ubiquitous chasing arrows symbol on plastic packaging has led consumers to believe that the plastic is recyclable, when in fact, most plastics are not.
The problem is further compounded by the fact that there are many different types of plastics that cannot be recycled together. For example, a hard plastic detergent bottle and a squeezable ketchup bottle cannot be recycled together. The only exception is plastics labeled 1 and 2, such as clear drinking bottles, some food packaging, milk jugs, and shampoo bottles. When different types of plastics are mixed for recycling, the entire load becomes contaminated and is often sent to landfills or incinerated.
The recycling infrastructure in the US also needs improvement. In the past, the US exported millions of tons of plastic waste to China and other countries, counting it as recycled even though much of it was burned or dumped. After China and other countries stopped accepting plastic waste due to its low quality, the US has struggled to cope with the plastic waste generated domestically.
The low recycling rate of plastics has severe environmental consequences. Unrecycled plastics end up in landfills, oceans, and even our bodies, as evidenced by studies showing plastic particles in breast milk, placenta, and blood. As the biggest plastic polluter in the world, the US needs to address this issue urgently. While individual actions, such as reducing plastic consumption and supporting stores that offer product refills in reusable containers, can help, widespread legal reform is also necessary to curb the negative impact of the plastic industry on the environment.
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Plastic pollution disproportionately affects poor countries
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, and its impacts are disproportionately felt in poorer countries. While the production and use of plastic have soared, benefiting wealthier nations, the social and environmental costs are offloaded onto developing nations. This disparity is evident in the management of plastic waste, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt of the consequences.
The plastic industry has been accused of misleading the public about the recyclability of plastic products. Despite claims, only a small fraction of plastic is genuinely recyclable, and the recycling process is complex and challenging. This issue is not limited to the United States, as evidenced by the global plastic production increase to 460 million tons in 2019, with a significant portion of plastic ending up in landfills and oceans.
The mismanagement of plastic waste, particularly in poorer countries, is a critical concern. Mismanagement refers to plastic waste that is not recycled, incinerated, or properly landfilled, leading to environmental pollution. This mismanagement is more prevalent in low- to middle-income countries due to their weaker waste management infrastructure. As a result, these countries contribute significantly to ocean plastic pollution, with Asia being a notable source.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the environmental realm. It directly affects the health and well-being of millions of people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. A study by WWF estimates that plastic pollution causes up to a million deaths annually in these countries due to toxic chemical releases from discarded plastic. Additionally, the costs of dealing with plastic across its life cycle are significantly higher for low- and middle-income countries, placing a substantial financial burden on them.
The root of the problem lies in the global plastics system, which marginalizes low- and middle-income countries in decision-making processes. Multinational companies from wealthy nations typically control plastic production and design, perpetuating a system that exploits developing countries. This power dynamic needs to change to address the disproportionate impact of plastic pollution on poorer nations effectively.
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Plastic producers need to pay for the damage caused
Plastic is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, the United States generated 35.7 million tons of plastics, or 12.2% of MSW generation. The US is also the biggest plastic polluter in the world. While the exact amount of plastic that is recycled in the US is unclear, sources suggest that it is between 5% and 9%. This means that the vast majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills, the environment, and our bodies. For example, microplastics have been found in 94% of US tap water samples, as well as in breast milk, placentas, stool, and blood.
The plastic industry has long been aware that recycling is not a viable solution to plastic waste management. Despite this knowledge, big oil companies and the plastics industry have spent millions of dollars on campaigns promoting recycling and have deceived the public about the environmental impact of their products. As a result, plastic producers should be held accountable and made to pay for the damage they have caused.
The Center for Climate Integrity Research (CCI) has released a report combining existing research and recently revealed internal documents. This report reveals that oil and plastics companies have known for decades that recycling is not a technically or economically viable solution to plastic waste management. For example, internal notes from an American Plastics Council (APC) staffer in 1995 acknowledged the impossibility of recycled plastic competing with virgin materials. Furthermore, the chasing arrows symbol, which indicates that plastic packaging is recyclable, was introduced despite the VI noting that the system was unlikely to work due to the trend towards composite containers made of multiple types of plastic.
CCI President Richard Wiles has stated that "when corporations and trade groups know that their products pose grave risks to society, and then lie to the public and policymakers about it, they must be held accountable. Accountability means stopping the lying, telling the truth, and paying for the damage they've caused." This report could form the foundation for legal action against plastic producers.
In addition to the environmental impact of plastic waste, the production and disposal of plastic also contribute to toxic pollution. Plastics release harmful compounds, such as phthalates, bisphenol A, and vinyl chloride, into our air, food, water, and the environment during production, use, and disposal. These chemicals include carcinogens, hormone disruptors, obesity-causing compounds, and substances that can cause harm to the liver, brain, kidneys, and the cardiovascular, immune, and reproductive systems. As such, it is clear that plastic producers have caused significant damage to the environment and human health, and they should be held responsible for the costs of addressing these issues.
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The US is the biggest plastic polluter in the world
The United States is the world's biggest culprit in generating plastic waste. The country generates about 42 million metric tons of plastic waste a year, which amounts to about 130kg of waste per person. This total is more than all European Union member countries combined. The US is a leading contributor to disposable plastics that end up entangling and choking marine life, harming ecosystems, and bringing harmful pollution up through the food chain.
Plastic waste in the US has increased sharply since 1960. The country now generates 42 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, which is more than all European Union countries combined. The US is not alone in its struggle with plastic waste. Brazil, the fifth-largest country globally, is the fourth-largest producer of plastic waste, generating about 10.68 million tons of plastic waste per year. Japan, with its over 18,000 miles of coastline, produced roughly 4.88 tons of plastic waste in 2016, and Russia has seen an increase in plastic waste production in recent years.
The US urgently needs a new strategy to curb the vast amount of plastic that ends up in the oceans. A report submitted to the federal government has found that the US is the world's biggest contributor to disposable plastics that harm the environment and bring harmful pollution into the food chain. The report calls for a "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution," which aims to eliminate plastic pollution released into the environment. The strategy should focus on slashing plastic production, promoting alternative materials, and setting better standards for waste collection and capture.
The US's plastic waste problem is not just an environmental issue but also a social and economic one. Plastic waste generated by the US impacts inland and coastal communities, pollutes rivers, lakes, beaches, bays, and waterways, endangers marine habitats and wildlife, and contaminates waters that humans depend on for food and livelihoods. The social and economic burdens of plastic pollution fall disproportionately on vulnerable populations.
While the US has made some efforts to address its plastic waste problem, such as implementing parameters or outright bans on plastic bags or other single-use plastic products in some states, the country still has a long way to go in tackling this issue. The proposed Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, introduced by Democratic lawmakers, would be the most ambitious regulation the US plastics industry has ever seen if passed.
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Plastic waste management is expensive
Plastic waste management is a challenging and expensive endeavour. The process of managing plastic waste requires significant resources and investment, and it is a complex issue that involves various stakeholders, including governments, industries, and individuals.
One of the key challenges in plastic waste management is the variety of plastic types that cannot be recycled together. Mixing different types of plastics can contaminate an entire batch, rendering it unrecyclable. This means that the recycling process must be carefully monitored and sorted, which requires specialised equipment and trained personnel. This sorting process adds to the overall cost of plastic waste management.
The recycling of plastic also requires a significant amount of energy and resources. The plastic must be collected, transported, and processed, often involving complex machinery and techniques. For example, some plastics are recycled using a process called "waste-to-energy" conversion, which can be costly to implement and maintain. Additionally, the recycling process may involve cleaning and preparing the plastic for reuse, further adding to the overall expense.
Moreover, the lack of infrastructure and technical expertise in some areas can hinder the effectiveness of plastic waste management. Insufficient recycling facilities, inadequate waste management services, and a lack of awareness about proper recycling methods contribute to the challenge. Developing and implementing sustainable waste management procedures require significant investment and time.
The cost of plastic waste management is further exacerbated by the fact that plastic is cheap to produce and has a long lifespan. This makes it a popular choice for manufacturers, leading to an abundance of plastic products in the market. However, the low cost of production also means that there is less incentive to invest in recycling technologies, as it may not be economically viable.
In conclusion, plastic waste management is expensive due to the complexity of the process, the variety of plastic types, the energy and resources required for recycling, and the lack of adequate infrastructure and expertise in some areas. Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort and investment from governments, industries, and individuals to promote sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Only about 5% of plastic in the USA is recyclable.
There are thousands of different types of plastic and none of them can be melted down together.
Plastic that isn't recycled ends up in landfills, water sources, and the ocean.
You can try to avoid products packaged in plastic while shopping and seek out stores that offer product refills in reusable containers.
The EPA has released the "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution," which aims to eliminate the release of plastic pollution into the environment. Some states are also pushing for legislation that bans single-use plastics.
