Chloe Zhang
Plastic waste is a significant environmental issue in the USA. The country is one of the world's largest consumers of plastics, with plastic use more than tripling since the 1980s. In 2019, US plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons, which equates to roughly five times the global average per capita. The US does not have the capacity to recycle all of its plastic waste domestically, so it exports large volumes to other countries. However, in recent years, the US's plastic waste exports have decreased as countries such as China have restricted foreign waste imports. As a result, the US's already struggling recycling system has been placed under further strain, and the majority of US plastic waste ends up in landfills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste generation in 2018 | 35.7 million tons |
| Plastic waste generation in 2021 | 40 million tons |
| Plastic waste generation in 2019 | 73 million metric tons |
| Plastic waste sent to landfills in 2018 | 27 million tons |
| Plastic waste sent to landfills in 2021 | 34 million tons (85%) |
| Plastic waste incinerated in 2021 | 4 million tons (10%) |
| Plastic waste recycled in 2018 | 3 million tons (8.7%) |
| Plastic waste recycled in 2021 | 2 million tons (5-6%) |
| Plastic waste exported in 2017 | 1.84 million tons |
| Plastic waste exported in 2021 | 0.61 million tons |
| Plastic waste exported to Canada in 2023 | 154 thousand metric tons |
| Plastic waste exported to Mexico in 2023 | 76.2 thousand tons |
| Plastic waste ending up in oceans | Large amounts |
| Plastic waste ending up in other countries | Vietnam, Cambodia, China |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste exports from the USA
The United States has been exporting its plastic waste to other countries, often poorer countries, despite international agreements and laws to curb this practice. In 2018, the US exported 1.07 million tons of plastic waste, about one-third of its recycling. 78% of these exports went to countries with poor waste management systems, such as China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Laos, Ethiopia, and Senegal. These countries lack the infrastructure and regulations to effectively and sustainably sort, process, and recycle plastic waste, leading to environmental and health risks.
Following China's ban on foreign plastic waste imports, the US redirected its plastic waste exports to other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. However, these countries have also become overwhelmed by the influx of plastic waste from developed countries, resulting in thousands of tons of waste plastic stranded in the US. Despite the global efforts to restrict the trade of plastic waste, American companies continue to export scrap plastic, taking advantage of the fact that the United States did not ratify the global ban.
The plastic waste exports from the US have had significant environmental and social ramifications. The concentration of microplastics in oceans, resulting from poorly managed waste, poses a threat to biodiversity and the health of marine life and humans. Additionally, the cheap, imported recycling has disrupted local recycling industries in recipient countries, negatively impacting the livelihoods of those employed in the trade.
To address the issue of plastic waste exports from the US, there have been calls for increased pressure on the US to comply with international laws and for improved domestic recycling infrastructure within the country. While some corporations have pledged to reduce their plastic consumption or use recycled materials, plastic pollution remains a critical environmental crisis facing the planet.
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Plastic recycling rates
In 2018, the recycling rate for plastic bottles and jars (PET) was 29.1%, and for HDPE natural bottles, it was 29.3%. However, the overall recycling rate for plastics in the United States remains relatively low. In 2018, the recycling rate was 8.7%, with three million tons of plastics recycled out of 35.7 million tons generated. This means that a significant portion of plastic waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated. For example, in 2015, 26 million tons of plastic were landfilled, representing 75.4% of the total plastic waste management.
The decrease in plastic recycling rates in the United States has been a cause for concern, and there have been efforts to improve the situation. Despite the challenges, there is a growing trend of domestic markets for recycled plastics, with resin manufacturers and brand owners incorporating recycled content in their products and packaging. Additionally, Canada and Mexico have become significant destinations for scrap plastic exports from the United States, with Canada receiving 154 thousand metric tons in 2023 and Mexico importing 76.2 thousand tons in the same year.
While the recycling rates for specific types of plastic containers are more promising, the overall recycling rate for plastics in the United States needs to improve. The complex and sometimes questionable trading network that exports plastic waste from the United States to other countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, has come under scrutiny. The environmental and social impacts of this network have led to a decline in the recycling industry, as countries have become more cautious about accepting foreign recycling materials.
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Plastic waste in landfills
One of the primary concerns is the formation and spread of microplastics (MPs). As plastic waste degrades in landfills, it breaks down into smaller particles, including MPs, which can be transported by air and leachate into surrounding environments. Landfills are a critical source of microplastic pollution, and the distribution and abundance of MPs in landfills have been extensively studied. The size of MPs found in landfill refuse samples can vary between 0.03 and 5 mm, with an average size of 1.2 mm. The presence of MPs in the environment contributes to the accumulation of non-biodegradable pollutants, exacerbating health risks.
The degradation of plastic waste in landfills can also lead to the release of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through oxidative photodegradation. These toxic substances pose risks to both the environment and human health. Additionally, the open burning of plastic waste is a common practice in regions with inadequate waste management infrastructure, further contributing to environmental and health hazards.
The disposal of plastic waste in landfills highlights the urgent need for improved waste management practices and policies. While microbial degradation presents a promising alternative for plastic waste reduction, the potential negative effects of degradation or biodegradation, such as the destabilization of landfill structural stability, cannot be overlooked. The fate of plastic in landfills remains a critical area of concern, especially given the lack of established methods to determine plastic degradation, biodegradation, or recalcitrance.
The recycling of plastic waste is an alternative to landfilling. However, the recycling industry faces challenges due to unscrupulous operators and complex global trading networks. In recent years, there has been a decline in plastic waste exports from the United States, with countries like China banning the import of plastic scrap. As a result, the United States is facing increasing challenges in managing its plastic waste, with recyclable plastics piling up across the country.
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Plastic waste in the ocean
In 2017, it was estimated that Asian countries contributed 86% of plastic emissions to the ocean. However, the United States has also contributed enormous amounts of plastic waste to the ocean, despite having robust waste management infrastructure. The United States is the second-largest exporter of plastic scrap globally, and in 2016, it generated the largest amount of plastic waste of any country in the world (42 million metric tons). Between 0.14 and 0.41 million metric tons of this waste was illegally dumped in the United States, and an additional 0.15 to 0.99 million metric tons was inadequately managed in countries that imported materials collected in the United States for recycling. As a result, the amount of plastic waste generated in the United States that entered the coastal environment in 2016 was up to five times larger than that estimated for 2010, making the United States' contribution among the highest in the world.
The primary destination for scrap plastic exports from the United States is Canada, which imported 154 thousand metric tons in 2023. Mexico followed, with 76.2 thousand tons of plastic scraps imported that year. China was once the main export destination for much of the world's plastic scrap, but in 2018 it introduced a ban on the import of such materials. Since then, plastic waste exports from the United States have dropped considerably.
The plastic that ends up in the ocean has a significant impact on ocean ecosystems and the animals that live there. For example, sea turtles have been found with plastic straws embedded in their noses, and whales have become entangled in fishing nets. If the current rate of plastic production and consumption continues, it is predicted to double in the next 10 years, leading to even more plastic waste in the ocean.
To address the issue of plastic waste in the ocean, it is crucial to improve waste management strategies and reduce the volume of plastics produced and used. Implementing waste collection and recycling globally can not only reduce ocean plastic pollution but also improve public health and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
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Plastic waste generation
The primary source of data on plastic generation in the US is the American Chemistry Council. According to their data, in 2018, plastic generation in the US was 35.7 million tons, which accounted for 12.2% of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation. Of this plastic waste, only 3 million tons were recycled, resulting in an 8.7% recycling rate for that year. The recycling rates for specific types of plastic containers were higher, with PET bottles and jars at 29.1% and HDPE natural bottles at 29.3%. However, the total amount of plastic waste sent to landfills in 2018 was 27 million tons, comprising 18.5% of all MSW landfilled.
The US has struggled to recycle all its plastic waste domestically and has historically exported large volumes to other countries, particularly in Asia. China was once the primary destination for plastic scrap globally, but since imposing restrictions on foreign waste imports in 2018, US plastic waste exports have decreased significantly. Canada and Mexico have since become the leading destinations for US scrap plastic exports, receiving 154 thousand and 76.2 thousand metric tons, respectively, in 2023.
The low plastic recycling rates in the US are attributed to a lack of recycling infrastructure and the complexity of recycling certain plastics. Despite the presence of recycling symbols on plastic packaging, most municipalities only recycle specific types of plastics, leading to consumer confusion and contamination of recyclable loads. As a result, it is estimated that only 5-6% of plastic waste was recycled in 2021, while 85% ended up in landfills, and 10% was incinerated.
To address the issue of plastic waste generation, experts recommend reducing the consumption of single-use plastics and prioritizing refillable and reusable containers. Consumers are encouraged to avoid plastic packaging, buy recycled goods, and shop for second-hand clothing to minimize their contribution to plastic waste generation.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic waste in the USA goes into landfills, is recycled, incinerated, or exported to other countries. In 2021, of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in the USA, 85% went to landfills, 10% was incinerated, and 5-6% was recycled.
The USA exports plastic waste to Canada, Mexico, and various countries in Asia. Canada is the leading destination, receiving 154 thousand metric tons of scrap plastic from the USA in 2023. However, since China restricted foreign waste imports in 2018, plastic waste exports from the USA have decreased significantly.
The USA does not have the capacity or infrastructure to recycle all of its plastic waste domestically. There is a lack of recycling facilities, and it is water-intensive and costly to build and operate such facilities. Additionally, there is confusion among consumers due to misleading recycling symbols and a lack of standardized recycling policies across different towns and municipalities.
