The Global Problem of Plastic Waste — and How to Reduce It
Plastic production and consumption is a global problem. From 1950 to 2015, the world produced 8.3 billion tons of plastic. In 2015 alone, the production of plastic was 380 million metric tons. Of all this plastic, over half was designed to be used only once then discarded.
Most of this plastic does not get recycled. The rate of plastic recycling from 1950 to 2015 was only 6%, and despite significant gains, the recycling rate in 2015 was only 20%.
Further, much of the recycling of plastic waste from the U.S. is diverted to other countries, many of which are unable to manage their own waste or do not want it. Globally, 20% to 70% of the plastics entering recycling facilities end up discarded as unusable, which means American plastics end up littering countries across the globe. Even when plastic actually is recycled, recycling plants can release toxins into the air and water, especially in countries where recycling factories are not well regulated. Sometimes, American plastics are prioritized over local plastics in foreign countries, preventing local recycling. Earlier this year, 187 countries signed a treaty to monitor where plastic waste goes once it leaves national boundaries and prevent shipping hard-to-recycle plastics to poorer countries. However, the U.S. opposed the treaty.
Plastic is a huge source of litter and pollution across the globe. Plastic waste in the ocean is well documented. This video by National Geographic highlights the vast effects of plastic pollution.
Additionally, new studies have found microplastics in drinking water and in the air. It is still unclear what effect microplastics have on the health of humans or other animals.
A few resources to learn more:
Blogs on reducing waste:
Ways to reduce plastic:
Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash
