Ethan Clarke
The US has never officially stopped recycling plastic, but the country's recycling system has been described as dysfunctional and broken. In 2018, China banned imports of dirty foreign garbage, which had a huge impact on the US's ability to recycle plastic waste. China had been importing 4,000 containers a day of US plastic waste prior to 2018, and the ban resulted in massive amounts of poor-quality recyclables piling up at US ports and warehouses. This led to a recycling crisis in the US, with some communities sending their recyclables to landfill or incinerating them at waste-to-energy plants. The US is the largest exporter of plastic waste among OECD countries, and it has been estimated that only 8.7% of US plastic waste is recycled, with 70% ending up in landfill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste produced in the US | Over 42 million metric tons annually |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled in the US | 8.7% or 9% |
| Percentage of global waste plastic exported by the US | 12% |
| Plastic waste exported to Malaysia for recycling in the first 10 months of 2018 | 192,000 metric tons |
| US as the largest exporter of plastic waste among OECD countries | True |
| US as the largest generator of plastic waste in the world | True |
| US recycling system | Broken |
| US recycling rate compared to Switzerland's | Much lower |
| US companies' support for the concept of Zero Waste | Low |
| US companies' support for recycling | High |
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What You'll Learn
US exports of plastic waste to developing countries
The United States generates the most plastic waste in the world, with only 8.7% to 9% of it being recycled and 70% ending up in landfills. The US exported 1.07 million tons of plastic waste in 2018, about one-third of its recycling, with 78% of those exports going to countries with poor waste management. These countries, such as China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, lack the infrastructure and regulation to effectively and sustainably sort, process, and recycle plastic waste into new materials.
In 2019, China implemented tighter regulations on the import of foreign plastic, resulting in a 92% drop in US plastic waste exports to the country. As a result, the US started directing its plastic waste exports to other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. However, these countries have also become overwhelmed by the large amounts of plastic waste coming in from developed countries.
In 2018, the US exported 192,000 metric tons of plastic waste to Malaysia for recycling. Some of the factories had licenses to process foreign waste, while others secretly processed it, often by illegally burning it, with toxic fumes inhaled by Malaysians living near unlicensed factories and dumpsites. In October of that year, the Malaysian government announced plans to stop issuing new permits for importing plastic waste and to end all plastic waste imports within three years.
In May 2019, 187 countries decided to significantly restrict international trade in plastic scrap and waste through the Basel Convention, which came into effect on January 1, 2021. The Basel Convention prohibits trade in plastic scrap and waste between countries that have ratified the Convention (Parties) and non-Party countries, such as the United States. Despite this, data from January 2021 shows that American exports of plastic scrap to poorer countries have barely changed, and overall scrap plastics exports have increased. This is considered illegal trafficking, and the rest of the world has to deal with the consequences.
The US has separate agreements with several countries, including member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), that allow for the transboundary movement of waste destined for recovery operations. However, there is uncertainty about what requirements OECD countries will impose on such trade.
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Lack of recycling infrastructure in the US
The US generates the most plastic waste in the world, with an estimated annual volume of over 42 million metric tons, of which only about 9% is recycled while 70% ends up in landfills. This is due in part to a lack of recycling infrastructure within the country.
The US has been exporting its plastic waste to other countries, particularly China, for decades. China's decision to ban the import of contaminated plastic waste in 2018 disrupted the US recycling industry, as massive amounts of recyclables began piling up at US ports and warehouses. This revealed the lack of domestic recycling capacity in the US.
The US recycling system has been described as "broken," with many localities struggling to deal with the volume of waste. Some communities have been forced to limit their curbside recycling programs or send recyclables to landfills or incineration plants. The current waste management system and recycling infrastructure in the US cannot properly manage the volume of plastic waste generated.
There is also a small resale market for properly sorted recycled materials, and businesses are not purchasing many recycled materials, especially plastics. This further discourages the development of recycling infrastructure.
To address the lack of recycling infrastructure, the US needs to increase its domestic capacity to sort, clean, and recycle plastic waste. This will require investment in technology and labor, as well as a shift in the culture to prioritize reducing waste and reusing materials.
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US recycling system is broken
The US recycling system is broken. Despite the first Earth Day in 1970 igniting a movement to stop polluting the planet, the US has made little headway in recycling. The amount and types of recycled materials collected have barely changed in years, and about half of waste plastic items are still not accepted for recycling. The US generates the most plastic waste in the world, recycling only 9% while 70% ends up in a landfill.
The problem is twofold. Firstly, there is a tiny resale market for properly sorted items, and businesses are not buying enough recycled materials, especially plastic. Secondly, the US has offshored its contaminated, least valuable "recyclables" to developing countries such as China, Malaysia, Turkey, and Vietnam, taking advantage of their lower labor costs and relaxed health and safety rules. In 2018, China banned imports of dirty foreign garbage, causing massive amounts of poor-quality recyclables to pile up at US ports and warehouses. This led to US cities and towns hiking trash-collection fees or curtailing recycling programs, with some communities ending their curbside programs altogether.
The US needs to stop sending its trash overseas and hold the industry that created single-use items responsible for recycling them. Manufacturers and importers of non-biodegradable materials should be required to use a certain percentage of recycled material, which would increase the cost of hard-to-recycle materials and allow better materials to replace them. The public also needs to play a role, with individuals encouraged to scrap out of landfills and return bottles to take advantage of deposit schemes.
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US companies' use of single-use plastics
The US generates the most plastic waste in the world, with only 9% of it being recycled and 70% ending up in landfills. This plastic waste is polluting American rivers, coastlines, landscapes, and communities. In addition, the US exported 192,000 metric tons of plastic waste to Malaysia for recycling in the first ten months of 2018, contributing to the global plastic pollution crisis.
US companies play a significant role in the use and production of single-use plastics. A study by the Minderoo Foundation, in collaboration with the London School of Economics, the Stockholm Environment Institute, and others, revealed that just 20 companies, including US-based ExxonMobil, are responsible for over 50% of single-use plastic waste globally. These companies produce ""throwaway" plastic items such as bottles, bags, and food packages, which are made primarily from fossil fuels and often end up polluting the oceans or dumped into landfills.
The production of single-use plastics has faced criticism from environmental activists, who have called for a reduction in their use and a transition towards recycled materials. Despite this, the plastic production is projected to increase by 30% in the next five years. This will likely lead to even more plastic waste and worsen the climate emergency.
To address this issue, some have suggested holding the industry creating single-use items accountable for recycling their products. Additionally, there is a growing movement to reduce, redesign, and reuse plastic materials, with 85% of Americans considering plastic waste pollution a serious issue requiring immediate political action.
While some US companies have been criticized for their role in the single-use plastic crisis, it's important to recognize that businesses are also part of the solution. There is a growing groundswell of support from American businesses to reduce plastic pollution and adopt more sustainable practices. However, the resale market for properly sorted recycled materials needs to improve, as businesses are currently not purchasing a significant amount of recycled plastics.
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US government's role in addressing plastic pollution
The US government has recognized the need to address plastic pollution and has taken several actions to tackle this issue. In December 2020, Congress passed the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a national strategy on plastic pollution. The EPA has been working to protect human health and the environment from plastic pollution and waste mismanagement for decades.
The Biden-Harris Administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to ending plastic pollution. They released a comprehensive, government-wide strategy, "Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution," which outlines federal actions to reduce plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle. This includes reducing pollution from plastic production, innovating material and product design, decreasing waste generation, improving waste management, and capturing and removing plastic pollution. The administration also aims to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics in food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027.
The US government has also supported international efforts to address plastic pollution. They played a key role in the United Nations Environmental Assembly's agreement to negotiate a global treaty to end plastic pollution by 2025. Additionally, the US is spearheading the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC), a public-private partnership that promotes global collaboration and utilizes scientific research to drive collective action. EPPIC has provided funding for projects in Latin America and Africa to tackle plastic pollution.
However, despite these efforts, plastic pollution remains a significant issue in the US. The country generates the most plastic waste in the world, with only about 9% recycled and 70% ending up in landfills. The US has also been criticized for exporting its plastic waste to other countries, such as Malaysia, overwhelming poorer nations with its waste.
To effectively address plastic pollution, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. This includes improving recycling infrastructure, reducing the use of single-use plastics, increasing the use of sustainable sources, and holding industries accountable for the plastic waste they create. While the US government has taken important steps, continued efforts and collaboration between various sectors are needed to achieve significant progress in tackling plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
The US has not stopped recycling plastic, but the amount of plastic waste produced in the country far exceeds the amount that is recycled. In 2018, the US exported 192,000 metric tons of plastic waste to Malaysia for recycling.
The US recycling system is considered broken because of the lack of federal regulation, the small resale market for properly sorted items, and the low demand for recycled materials from businesses.
It is estimated that only about 8-9% of plastic waste is recycled in the US, with the rest ending up in landfills or being exported to other countries for recycling.
The US is the largest exporter of plastic waste among the countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The US exports about 12% of global waste plastic, impacting low- and middle-income countries with pollution and unsafe working conditions.
To improve plastic recycling in the US, federal-level action is required. This includes mandating the use of recycled materials, holding single-use item producers responsible for recycling, and encouraging a culture shift towards reducing waste and increasing recycling efforts.
