Toxic Impacts of Plastic Lifecycle

Plastic is everywhere and is one of the toughest pollutants to deal with. When crafting policies to tackle the plastic problem, it’s important to consider related industries like chemicals, waste, and petrochemicals. Essentially, plastics are just another form of fossil fuels, so any discussion about managing them involves looking at connected policies and agreements, like SAICM, the Basel Convention, and the Stockholm Convention.

Understanding plastics and where they come from

Plastics are man-made materials created by turning raw materials, mostly from fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal, into products through an energy-heavy process. During production, smaller molecules called monomers are joined together to form long chains known as polymers, which make up the basic structure of plastics.

To give plastics specific traits, various additives like colorants, lubricants, plasticizers, and flame retardants are mixed in during manufacturing. Sometimes, other chemicals might also be present due to impurities or leftovers from the production process. Basically, “plastic” can refer to a broad range of materials with different chemical makeups.

Plastics’ effect on health and the environment 

Plastics don’t break down easily, so they pile up in the air, water, soil, and oceans. We’re starting to realize that plastics are affecting more than just the oceans—they’re impacting other ecosystems, our food and water supplies, and even human health. Research shows that tiny plastic particles, called microplastics (less than five millimeters) and nanoplastics (smaller than one millimeter), are everywhere. They’ve been found in all water sources, types of food, and even in human bodies, including placentas and stool.

But the problem goes beyond just the presence of these particles.

Looking at the whole lifecycle of plastics—production, use, and disposal—shows that each stage can harm health and the environment, whether it’s from the plastic itself or the chemicals used in its production. Here’s a quick look at some of these impacts:

Extraction and Transportation

Plastics come from fossil fuels, so the risks from oil and gas drilling are a big concern. Transporting these materials through pipelines releases a lot of toxins, which can damage our skin, eyes, and organs, and lead to cancer, neurological issues, and immune system problems.

Refining and Manufacturing

Turning raw materials into plastic involves making monomers like ethylene and propylene, which are then combined into polymers and mixed with additives. This process releases emissions that can harm the nervous system and cause serious health issues like cancer and birth defects. People living near production sites and workers are particularly at risk from daily toxic exposure and potential accidents.

Products and Packaging

Plastics are used in many things, from packaging to electronics. As we use these products, microplastics and toxic chemicals can contaminate the air, water, and food, affecting our health. Many chemicals in plastics are known to be harmful, including those that can cause cancer or affect development and fertility.

Waste Management

Only a small amount of plastic waste is recycled—around 9% of all plastic ever made. Most plastic waste ends up in landfills or as litter, and some is burned, releasing toxic substances into the environment. These toxins can cause severe health problems for people exposed to them.

In the Environment

When plastic breaks down in the environment, it turns into micro and nanoplastics that spread through food chains and water supplies. These particles can release toxic additives or pick up toxins already in the environment, leading to health issues like chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.

In 2019, CIEL and its partners published reports on the lifecycle of plastics, highlighting the hidden health costs. To dive deeper into how plastics affect our health, check out Plastics & Health: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet. Since plastics come from fossil fuels, every stage of their lifecycle also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Addressing the plastics crisis in Africa is critical

Plastic production is skyrocketing, and low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa, are bearing the brunt of the problem. To cope, many of these countries are starting to ban single-use plastics or stop accepting plastic waste from other places.

Instead of tackling the waste problem at home, countries like the United States, Australia, and many in Europe are sending their waste to other nations. This often results in massive landfills and polluted environments in places that don’t have the means to handle it.

Even though African countries are leading the way with plastic bans, the petrochemical and plastics industries are targeting them for growth. Reports suggest that companies are trying to weaken plastic regulations in countries like Kenya to turn them into new centers for chemical and plastic production and waste, much of which originates in the U.S.

Also Read: Plastic Waste: Tackling Circularity and Leakage

Options for global governance

Current treaties and policy frameworks like SAICM might help with some issues related to toxic additives or polymers, but they’re limited in scope and don’t fully address the massive scale of the plastic problem. For years, there’s been a push to create a comprehensive international response to the plastics crisis, with many countries backing the idea of a global treaty on plastics.

Right now, people are discussing what such a treaty would look like. If done right, it would tackle every stage of plastic’s life cycle. Working with groups like #BreakFreeFromPlastic, EIA, and GAIA, CIEL has put together a draft for this treaty called the “Convention on Plastic Pollution: Toward a New Global Agreement to Address Plastic Pollution.” This draft outlines key elements, including coordination with existing treaties and a financial mechanism to help developing countries.