Ethan Clarke
Plastic waste is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste. It is a polymeric material, derived mainly from petroleum, that can be moulded, cast, spun, or applied as a coating. Plastic is lightweight, hygienic, and resistant to rust and corrosion. However, most plastics do not biodegrade, and instead break down into microplastics, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. The production and use of plastic have increased significantly since the 1950s, with a shift towards single-use plastics that are meant to be thrown away after one use. This has led to a vast amount of plastic waste, with only a small percentage being recycled. Plastic waste is found in landfills, the ocean, and other natural environments, where it can harm wildlife, damage ecosystems, and impact human health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste generation in 2018 | 35.7 million tons in the US, 300 million tons worldwide |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is recycled | 9% |
| Percentage of plastic waste incinerated | 12% |
| Percentage of plastic waste in landfills, dumps, or the natural environment | 79% |
| Most common type of plastic waste | Cigarette butts |
| Other common plastic waste items | Drink bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, grocery bags, drink lids, straws, stirrers |
| Amount of plastic waste in oceans each year | 8 million tons |
| Sources of plastic waste in oceans | Rivers, such as the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River |
| Impact of plastic waste on wildlife | Harms animals, possibly harmful to humans, causes liver and cell damage, disrupts reproductive systems |
| Impact of plastic waste on the economy | Causes economic losses in tourism, fishing, and shipping industries, estimated at USD 13 billion per year |
| Plastic waste as a solid waste | Many countries classify plastics as solid waste |
| Percentage of plastic waste that was plastic packaging and other single-use plastics in 2015 | 50% |
| Percentage of plastic used in building and construction globally | 16% |
| Plastic waste as a polymeric material | Comprised of one non-halogenated polymer and waste substances or objects intended to be disposed of |
| Biodegradability of plastic | Most plastics do not biodegrade but photodegrade into microplastics |
| Percentage of plastic production growth between 2000 and 2019 | Doubled |
| Expected growth in plastic use and production by 2040 compared to 2020 | 70% increase |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste in oceans
Plastic waste is a significant environmental concern, with a large portion of it ending up in our oceans. The production and consumption of plastic have increased rapidly since the 1950s, leading to a corresponding rise in plastic waste. While plastic waste can be managed through recycling, incineration, and landfill disposal, a significant amount escapes into the natural environment, including our oceans.
It is estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans annually, with Asia being the leading source, particularly the Yangtze, Indus, Yellow River, Hai, Nile, Ganges, Pearl River, Amur, Niger, and Mekong rivers. These rivers account for "90 percent of all the plastic that reaches the world's oceans." Once in the ocean, plastic waste is transported by currents and can be found in most marine habitats, including the deep sea, Great Lakes, coral reefs, beaches, rivers, and estuaries.
Plastic waste in the oceans takes various forms, from large items such as bottles and bags to microplastics formed from the breakdown of plastic materials. Microplastics are a significant concern as they can be ingested by marine life, entering the food chain and potentially ending up on our dinner plates. They also accumulate toxins on their surface, further contaminating the ecosystem.
The impact of plastic waste in the oceans is far-reaching. Marine life faces entanglement, suffocation, and ingestion of plastic debris, with ghost nets (lost fishing nets) being a significant threat to a wide range of marine creatures. Additionally, plastic waste can clog sewers, providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests, increasing the transmission of vector-borne diseases like malaria.
Addressing the issue of plastic waste in oceans requires a multi-faceted approach. Governments, industries, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and consumers all have a role to play. Reducing plastic production and consumption, improving recycling practices, and implementing policies to ban or reduce single-use plastics are essential steps toward mitigating the problem. Public awareness campaigns, incentives for recycling, and product redesign for better recyclability are also crucial in tackling plastic waste in our oceans.
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Plastic recycling
Plastic is a popular and highly versatile material, and we use a lot of it. Plastic waste is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, plastic generation was 35.7 million tons in the United States, which was 12.2% of MSW generation. The containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons. This category includes bags, sacks, wraps, other packaging, bottles, jars, and other containers.
While we can't recycle our way out of the plastics crisis, recycling helps reduce the footprint of the plastic we use. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most commonly recycled plastics and the material that makes up most water and soda bottles, can be turned into a range of products, from new beverage bottles to automotive parts. Other types of plastic bottles are usually made from HDPE, another easily recyclable plastic. However, single-use plastics in particular—especially small items like straws, bags, and cutlery—aren’t easy to recycle because they fall into the crevices of recycling machinery, and many recycling centers won’t even accept them.
Mechanical recycling, which involves melting and reforming plastic into other items, is the most common form of recycling. However, this process can cause polymer degradation at the molecular level, and requires that waste be sorted by colour and polymer type before processing, which is often complicated and expensive. Errors can lead to material with inconsistent properties, rendering it unappealing to industry. Even the most efficient filtration systems cannot prevent the release of microplastics into wastewater.
Feedstock recycling, where waste plastic is converted into its starting chemicals, which can then become fresh plastic, is another option. This process involves higher energy and capital costs. Other alternatives include burning plastic in place of fossil fuels in energy recovery facilities or biochemically converting it into other useful chemicals for industry.
In recent years, dozens of national and local governments around the world have adopted policies to reduce the use of disposable plastic, such as bans on the production and use of plastic bags. However, plastic production and waste continue to grow, with the world doubling its plastic production between 2000 and 2019 and producing about 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year.
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Plastic pollution and health
Plastic waste is a rapidly growing segment of municipal solid waste (MSW). The containers and packaging category, which includes bags, sacks, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and jars, and other containers, accounted for the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons in 2018. Plastic waste has increased dramatically since the 1950s, with a shift towards single-use plastics that are meant to be thrown away after one use. More than 99% of plastics are derived from dirty, non-renewable resources such as oil, natural gas, and coal.
Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to human health at every stage of its lifecycle, from extraction to disposal. The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics have been linked to a range of negative health outcomes, including cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, growth impairment, and cognitive impairment. Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastics, with exposure increasing the risks of birth complications, lung development issues, and childhood cancer.
Microplastics, which can be found in everything from glitter to synthetic clothing, have been detected in the majority of the world's tap water and are ingested by humans and animals. These tiny plastic particles can act as vessels for pathogens, increasing the spread of diseases. Plastic waste also clogs sewers and provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests, contributing to the transmission of vector-borne diseases like malaria.
The global health community is working to address the plastic pollution crisis. Efforts include advocating for policies to reduce plastic production and consumption, promoting circular economy models to minimize plastic waste, and raising awareness about the impact of plastics on human health. Over 120 countries have banned selected single-use plastics, and dozens of national and local governments have adopted policies to reduce their use. However, the slow decomposition of plastics and ineffective waste management continue to worsen plastic pollution and its associated health impacts.
To protect human health and the environment, it is crucial to reduce plastic use, improve waste management practices, and support global initiatives aimed at combating plastic pollution.
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Single-use plastics
Plastic waste is a growing global concern. Since the 1950s, the rate of plastic production has grown faster than any other material, with a shift from durable plastic to single-use plastics. Single-use plastics are goods made from fossil fuel-based chemicals and are designed to be disposed of after one use or a short period, often just minutes. They are a major contributor to the planet's plastic pollution crisis.
The environmental impact of single-use plastics is drastic and global. They are a major source of pollution in oceans, lakes, and rivers, and on land. Eight million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, with a large portion coming from the world's rivers. Plastic waste clogs sewers, provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and can increase the transmission of vector-borne diseases. It breaks down into microplastics, which contaminate the soil and enter the food chain when ingested by animals. These microplastics have been found in most tap water and even in the remote Pyrenees mountains and the Mariana Trench.
To address the single-use plastic problem, the EU has implemented measures to reduce consumption, introduce design and labelling requirements, and mandate waste management obligations for producers. Dozens of national and local governments worldwide have adopted policies to reduce disposable plastic use, with Africa leading the way in banning plastic bags. Individuals can also play a role by reducing plastic consumption, reusing items, and supporting initiatives for better waste management.
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Plastic waste management
The management of plastic waste is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. At the global level, the Basel Convention provides guidance on the environmentally sound management of plastic waste, with the recent inclusion of plastic waste under the convention being a significant development. Countries are also working to improve their waste management systems, with a focus on reducing, recycling, and properly disposing of plastic waste. However, diverse national circumstances and unequal access to resources mean there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
One of the key challenges in plastic waste management is the proper collection and disposal of plastic. According to estimates, a significant portion of plastic waste remains uncollected, leaking into the environment, ending up in landfills, or being subjected to open burning. This is due to a lack of access to controlled disposal services and regular waste collection in many parts of the world. Improper disposal of plastic waste has severe consequences for ecosystems and human health, as plastic can contaminate air, soil, and water.
To address this issue, a range of strategies are being employed, including regulatory policies, infrastructural improvements, and public awareness campaigns. Recycling is an important component of plastic waste management, but it is not a complete solution, as the majority of plastic is not recycled, and single-use plastics are often difficult to recycle. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Systems (DRS) are policy levers that can be used to develop national action plans and improve recycling rates. Additionally, the informal "waste picker" sector plays a significant role in some countries' waste management systems.
Individuals can also play a crucial role in plastic waste management by reducing their plastic consumption, reusing plastic items, and properly disposing of plastic waste. This includes simple actions such as avoiding single-use plastics, supporting businesses that minimise plastic packaging, and pressuring local authorities to improve waste management practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic waste is a generic term for polymeric material, which may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce costs. Plastic waste is almost exclusively comprised of one non-halogenated polymer and waste substances or objects that are disposed of, intended to be disposed of, or required to be disposed of by national law.
Examples of plastic waste include cigarette butts, plastic film (including bags), food packaging, plastic bottles, straws, containers, plastic wrap, and microplastics.
Plastic waste has been found to be harmful to wildlife, ecosystems, and possibly human health. It has been found in municipal drinking water systems, the blood, lungs, and faeces of humans, and has been linked to liver and cell damage and disruptions to reproductive systems. It is also responsible for vast economic losses in the tourism, fishing, and shipping industries.
