Study finds that less than 10% of the world’s plastic is made from recycled material, with oil and coal derived ‘virgin’ plastic making up the bulk of the 400million tonnes manufactured each year.
The research, published in Communications Earth & Environment, shows the vast majority of used plastic is disposed of by landfill or incineration rather than recycling. The latest available figures show just 27.9% of plastic waste was recycled in 2022.
Plastics are responsible for up to 8% of oil consumption globally, and unless action is taken, that figure will only rise. In fact, from 2020 to 2040, analysis suggests that BP expects plastics to represent 95% of the net growth in demand for oil.
Dr Quanyin Tan, of Tsinghua University: Beijing, and colleagues analysed the global plastic supply chain. Their data shows that of the 400 million tonnes of plastic produced in 2022, a mere 37.96 million tonnes (9.5%) originated from recycled plastic. The vast majority of the remaining 362 million tonnes – 98% – was derived from fossil fuels.
China is the world’s leading producer and consumer of plastic, but per capita consumption is highest in the United States, with Americans using 216 kg of plastic per person annually. High per capita consumption is also noted in the 28 countries of the European Union (86.6 kg) and Japan (129 kg).
Globally, landfill remains the primary destination for plastic waste, accounting for a 103.37 megatonnes or 40% of the total. “As a result, plastic pollution is a pressing and growing global issue, posing major challenges for the environment, economy and public health,” the study’s authors said.
Here at Only Natural, we’ve always said there’s a simple and effective way to counter the pollution and carbon dioxide emissions caused by the manufacture and disposal of plastics. But we’ll say it again, anyway. Use natural materials.
