In December, countries may come together to establish a groundbreaking treaty aimed at significantly reducing the amount of plastic that enters the environment. If current trends continue unchecked, projections suggest that this amount could triple by the year 2060. How did we arrive at this critical juncture, and what repercussions does it have for our ecosystems and climate?
Plastic Explosion – Since the 1950s, global production of synthetic polymers, which serve as the foundational components of plastic, has skyrocketed by 230 times, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Between 2000 and 2019, production doubled to reach 460 million tons—growing at a pace that surpasses traditional materials such as steel, aluminum, and cement. If this trajectory is not altered, projections indicate that production could soar to 1.2 billion tons by 2060.
Rising Demand – The Covid-19 pandemic, along with the subsequent economic downturns, has led to two contrasting effects on plastic consumption. One significant trend is the increase in the use of single-use plastics, particularly within the healthcare industry, food retail, and e-commerce sectors.
The second significant issue is the decline in industries impacted by inflation and the global economic recession, particularly the automotive and construction sectors.
Plastic Waste Crisis The amount of plastic waste generated worldwide has more than doubled over the past two decades, escalating from 156 million tonnes in 2000 to 353 million tonnes by 2019.
Projections indicate it could nearly triple to exceed one billion tonnes by 2060. Over two-thirds of this waste is comprised of items designed for short-term use, such as plastic packaging, consumer goods, and textiles, all of which have lifespans of less than five years.
According to the OECD, in 2019 alone, 22 million tonnes of plastic entered the environment, with six million tonnes ending up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that plastics represent at least 85 percent of marine debris. The primary contributor to the global plastic waste issue is inadequate waste management, although other factors include littering, tire wear, and microplastics.
By 2060, the OECD anticipates that environmental waste will double to 44 million tonnes, comprising mostly larger plastic items along with tiny particles that have been discovered in blood and breast milk. Currently, only nine percent of the world’s plastic waste is recycled, 19 percent is incinerated, and nearly half is disposed of in controlled landfills.
Currently, 22 percent of waste is disposed of illegally, either through dumping, incineration in open areas, or by being released into the environment, all of which pose significant risks to human health. The situation is described as “prevalent,” with the OECD warning that the consequences for our environment, climate, and public health are worsening.
The plastic that ends up in our surroundings does not decompose naturally; it can take centuries to break down, ultimately fragmenting into minuscule particles. These particles threaten marine life, degrade soil quality, contaminate groundwater, and can have dire health implications, as noted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
According to Greenpeace, these plastic particles are found everywhere—including tap water, drinking water, and groundwater sources. Furthermore, the production of plastics carries a noteworthy carbon footprint.
In 2019, plastic manufacturing was responsible for emitting 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, accounting for 3.4 percent of total global emissions, as reported by the OECD and UNEP. Approximately 90 percent of these emissions originated from the production and processing of plastic materials, which are sourced from crude oil and natural gas, according to the same organizations.
