Sofia Martinez
Plastic is everywhere, and it's choking our planet. From the Arctic to our oceans, the environment is suffering from our addiction to plastic. Single-use plastics, in particular, are a huge problem, with plastic bags, food packaging, and bottles accumulating visibly on our streets and in our oceans. We produce an enormous amount of plastic waste—in 2018, 27 million tons of plastic ended up in landfills in the US alone. Plastic is also found in many everyday items we might not expect, like clothes, tea bags, toothpaste, and even glitter. While plastic has many benefits, such as protecting our health and safety, increasing food shelf life, and enabling sustainability and affordability, we need to address the plastic crisis. We can start by reducing our plastic use, recycling, and making sustainable swaps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic production | World plastic production doubled between 2000 and 2019. By 2040, the growth in use and production is expected to rise by 70% compared to 2020. |
| Plastic waste | Plastic waste is accumulating at a staggering rate. In 2018, 27 million tons of plastic were sent to landfills, and it is estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. |
| Plastic recycling | In 2018, the recycling rate for plastics was 8.7%, with 3 million tons of plastic recycled. However, the OECD found that 91% of plastic is not recycled and ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment. |
| Plastic types | There are seven different types of plastic, categorized by the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system. Some types of plastic are reusable and recyclable, while others are not due to the chemicals they contain. |
| Plastic uses | Plastic is found in a wide range of products, including disposable diapers, trash bags, cups, utensils, medical devices, containers, packaging, appliances, furniture, and more. |
| Plastic benefits | Plastics are lightweight, good for insulation, and help save fossil fuels. They have contributed to advancements in computers, cell phones, and modern medicine. Inexpensive plastics have raised the standard of living and made material abundance more accessible. |
| Plastic concerns | Plastics are choking the environment, endangering health, and driving climate change. They contain chemicals that can leach out and disrupt the endocrine system, especially in children. Microplastics are also a concern, as they enter the environment during manufacturing and breakdown, contributing to pollution. |
| Plastic alternatives | Reusable alternatives to plastic include shopping totes, glass jars, stainless steel food containers, and reusable coffee cups. Reducing plastic use and opting for recyclable or biodegradable materials can help curb plastic waste. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution and waste
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health worldwide. It is estimated that 14 million tonnes of plastic are dumped in our oceans every year, and that amount is projected to triple in the next 20 years. This plastic waste poses a serious danger to marine life, as animals can get tangled in it or ingest it, mistaking it for food.
To reduce plastic pollution, it is important to focus on reducing plastic waste as much as possible. This can be done by adopting reusable items such as water bottles, coffee cups, shopping bags, and cutlery. Avoiding single-use plastics such as plastic straws, utensils, and carrier bags can also significantly reduce plastic waste.
Additionally, it is important to support businesses that are working to reduce plastic waste and to reuse existing plastic items. Buying used plastic items or donating unwanted plastic items that are still in good shape can help extend the lifespan of plastic products.
Recycling is another important way to reduce plastic waste. However, it is crucial to check with local recycling programs to understand which types of plastic they accept, as some plastics cannot be recycled through community programs. By implementing these small changes, we can collectively work towards reducing plastic pollution and keeping our planet clean and safe.
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Plastic recycling
Plastic is one of the most popular and useful materials of modern times. It has helped humans in many ways, from raising the standard of living to making material abundance more readily available. Plastic has also been used to protect the natural world from the destructive forces of human needs, for example, by replacing ivory, tortoiseshell, horn, linen, and silk. However, the world is facing a plastic crisis.
The world produced around 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste from the start of plastic production through to 2015, only 9% of which was recycled, and only 1% was recycled more than once. The remaining waste was incinerated, sent to landfills, or lost to the environment as pollution. Plastic is non-biodegradable and spreads across the environment, causing plastic pollution. As of 2015, approximately 8 million tons of waste plastic entered the oceans annually, damaging oceanic ecosystems and forming ocean garbage patches. The most common types of plastic waste found in the environment are cigarette butts, plastic film (including bags), food packaging, and plastic bottles.
Despite the challenges, recycling rates for some specific types of plastic containers are more significant. 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. In the United Kingdom, 99% of local authorities offer collection facilities for plastic bottles, and many are also offering collections for mixed plastics packaging such as pots, tubs, and trays. Recently, some supermarkets and retailers have started collecting a wider range of plastic bags and wrappings, or soft plastics, making it possible to recycle packaging such as baby and pet food pouches, crisp and sweet packets, delivery bags, and salad bags.
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Plastic production
Plastic is derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. The production of plastics can be summarised in four basic steps: obtaining the raw material, synthesising a basic polymer, compounding the polymer into a usable fraction, and moulding or shaping the plastic.
The first step in the production of plastics is the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery. This separates the heavy crude oil into lighter components, called fractions. Each fraction is a mixture of hydrocarbon chains, which differ in terms of the size and structure of their molecules. One of these fractions, naphtha, is crucial for plastic production.
The next step involves two main processes to produce plastics: polymerisation and polycondensation. In a polymerisation reactor, monomers such as ethylene and propylene are linked together to form long polymer chains. These polymers are then compounded, where various blends of materials are melt-blended to make formulations for plastics. This is typically done using an extruder, followed by pelletising the mixture. Finally, extrusion or a different moulding process transforms these pellets into a finished or semi-finished product.
The versatility of plastics has led to their widespread use and displacement of other materials such as wood, metal, and glass. Asia is the largest producer of plastics, with China alone accounting for 32% of global production in 2022. However, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of plastic production, with organisations like Greenpeace calling for a significant reduction in plastic production to protect health, climate, and the environment.
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Plastic alternatives
While plastic is incredibly useful, it is also a major cause of environmental damage. Scientists and manufacturing companies are working to develop sustainable alternatives to plastic that are equal in strength and flexibility but safer for the environment and human health.
One of the biggest producers of plastic waste is packaging, including food wrappers, bottles, and shipping materials. Some alternatives to single-use plastic packaging include biodegradable algae-based packaging, natural fibres such as coconut fibre, hemp, husk, oat hulls, cotton burs, and jute, and plant cellulose. B'zeos, a Norwegian startup, was the first company to use seaweed to develop sustainable and edible drinking straws, condiment packets, cutlery, and plastic wrap, all of which are designed to biodegrade completely in less than 47 days. Another leader in seaweed-based products is the 2022 Earthshot winner Notpla, which produces seaweed-based cutlery and compostable takeout containers.
In addition to packaging, there are many other plastic alternatives available for common items. For example, instead of plastic bags, you can use tote bags or reusable shopping bags. Instead of plastic cocktail stirrers, you can use reusable glass or bamboo stirrers, or even a stick of rosemary. Instead of plastic cutlery, you can use travel cutlery sets made of wood fibre mixed with PHA polymer and minerals, or chopsticks. Instead of plastic containers, you can use glass containers, stainless steel lunch boxes, or mason jars.
Silicone is another alternative to plastic. It shares many physical characteristics with fossil fuel-derived plastics but is considered much safer and more environmentally friendly. Silicone is made from naturally occurring silica stone, water, and natural gas-derived methanol. It is strong, flexible, can withstand extreme temperatures, and does not leach toxic residues or microplastics. However, silicone products are not widely accepted by recycling facilities.
While there are many alternatives to plastic, simply replacing disposable plastic with another material will not reduce the burden on the environment. The least problematic solution is to use reusable and refillable packaging and buy unpackaged products.
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Plastic health risks
Plastic is everywhere, even in the foods and beverages we consume. While plastic has revolutionized modern society, it has also become a health risk. Plastic waste is expected to triple by 2040, and it can be found everywhere, from the desert sands of Iran to freshly fallen snow in Antarctica.
Microplastics, tiny particles of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size, have been found in our oceans, soil, and even the air we breathe. Humans are constantly inhaling and ingesting microplastics through contaminated seafood, tap and bottled water, and even commonly consumed beverages like beer and salt. A recent study estimates that the average adult consumes approximately 2,000 microplastics per year through salt alone.
These microplastics can leach chemicals into our bodies, and they have been linked to serious health issues such as endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, and decreased reproductive health. Endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenols and phthalates, can have long-lasting effects on health even at low doses. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to neurodevelopmental problems, metabolic disorders, and reproductive issues.
In addition, microplastics may function as carriers of toxic chemicals into the human body. Studies have found links between microplastic exposure and male fertility issues, biomarkers of colon and gut cancer, and potential respiratory problems. While the mechanism for these effects is not yet clear, it is possible that these particles cause inflammation that leads to further health complications.
Furthermore, the production and use of plastic can expose people to harmful chemicals. During manufacturing, people can be exposed to toxic chemicals through direct contact or inhalation. Certain chemicals used in plastic, such as phthalates, can also migrate into our food and beverages, especially when stored or heated in plastic containers.
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Frequently asked questions
Many plastic products are used at home, including kitchen sponges, plastic bags, food storage containers, and trash bags. Plastic is also found in disposable diapers, utensils, shower curtains, and even clothing. Some common plastic types used at home include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE).
Plastics play a crucial role in healthcare and safety. They are used in bicycle helmets, child safety seats, automotive airbags, and medical devices. Plastic also helps protect our health by keeping our food fresh and safe to consume.
While plastics have various applications, it's important to reduce or avoid certain plastic products due to their environmental impact. Single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, bottles, straws, and packaging, contribute significantly to plastic pollution. Other plastic items to reduce or avoid include gum, tea bags, wet wipes, cigarette butts, and products containing microplastics, such as toothpaste and glitter.
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