How Plastic Waste Contributes to Climate Change: Guide 2024

Climate change is a hot topic right now, especially with all the news about unusual and extreme weather around the world. As we dig into what’s causing these issues, one big factor is plastic production.

Plastic is everywhere—it’s in the packaging of our daily goods and in many products across different industries. Since its first commercial use in 1907, when Bakelite was introduced, plastic was celebrated as a groundbreaking material. It was flexible, durable, and cheap to make, which made it incredibly popular.

But now, over a century later, we’re seeing the downside. The same qualities that made plastic so appealing also make it a major environmental problem. From its production to its disposal, plastic has a significant impact on climate change, and addressing this issue is crucial for tackling our environmental challenges.

Understanding Climate Change

So, what exactly is climate change, and how do we contribute to it?

Climate change is all about long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns. It’s mainly driven by human activities that pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, causing the Earth’s average temperature to rise—a trend often called global warming.

One of the biggest culprits is the burning of fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal. These fuels are responsible for about 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. When we burn fossil fuels to generate power, we release carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide into the air. These gases trap heat from the sun, which can make global temperatures rise. That’s why renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power, are gaining popularity—they don’t produce greenhouse gases. In contrast, coal-fired power plants are major polluters.

Nuclear power doesn’t create greenhouse gases while it’s generating energy, but it has its own issues, like managing toxic nuclear waste. The U.S. alone produces up to 2,000 metric tons of this waste each year, and it needs to be stored for up to a million years, which presents huge challenges.

Deforestation also plays a role in climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, so when forests are cut down, that carbon isn’t being captured anymore. To help, sustainable forestry practices aim to plant trees to replace those that are cut down, but illegal logging and land clearing for farming are major problems.

Food production adds to the issue, too. It’s not just about clearing land for crops or livestock; methane from farm animals is a significant problem, with a third of human-produced methane coming from livestock. Growing and processing animal feed also uses up resources, so it’s often more efficient to grow food directly for people.

Manufacturing and consumption contribute as well. Factories use fossil fuels for machinery and materials, and our consumption habits drive greenhouse gas emissions. This is where plastics come into play—they’re a big part of the problem.

Climate change leads to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events like storms, droughts, and heatwaves. It also threatens biodiversity by disrupting ecosystems and putting many species at risk of extinction.

In short, while burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agriculture are major contributors to climate change, plastic production and pollution also play a significant role.

The Role of Plastic Production in Climate Change

We’ve talked about how our use of food and products contributes to climate change, and plastic plays a big role in this problem.

Plastic production impacts climate change in several ways, some of which are more obvious than others. One major issue is that plastic has traditionally been made from fossil fuels. Most plastics come from hydrocarbons derived from crude oil (petroleum), natural gas, and even coal.

The process of extracting and refining these fossil fuels into plastic is very energy-intensive and produces a lot of greenhouse gases. And as we keep using more plastic, this problem gets worse.

While people, businesses, and governments are starting to recognize the problems with plastic, and some countries are passing laws to ban certain plastic products, the demand for plastic is still on the rise. A report from the Back to Blue group even suggests that plastic use could double by 2050 if nothing changes. Plus, as noted by The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), the petrochemical industry plans to invest billions in expanding plastic production.

The Problem with Single-Use Plastics

The real issue with plastic isn’t just that it’s made from fossil fuels; it’s also how we’ve gotten used to using it. When plastic was first introduced, it was used in long-lasting products that we kept for years. But over time, plastic became all about convenience.

Now, single-use plastics are everywhere. They’re in food and drink packaging, beauty products, toiletries, and even in shipping materials. We see these plastics all the time in our daily lives and often don’t think twice about their long-term impact.

The scale of plastic production and use around the world is huge. Studies predict that by 2050, plastic could contribute over 56 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions, which would be 10-13% of the remaining carbon budget.

The Environmental Cost of Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution isn’t just bad for the environment because it contributes to climate change; it also causes a lot of other problems. The issue starts with how plastic is used and disposed of, especially single-use plastics.

When we throw away plastic, whether it’s burned or buried in landfills, it releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Plus, plastic waste ends up in nature, where it messes with ecosystems. It can leach harmful chemicals into the soil and water, which affects plants, animals, and even us. On top of that, plastic trash makes natural areas look awful.

Around eight to ten million tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans each year, causing serious harm to marine life. Animals can get tangled up in plastic or choke on it, and tiny plastic pieces, called microplastics, can be ingested, leading to internal issues or starvation. Plastics also break down into chemicals that pollute the ocean.

Interestingly, plastic in the ocean can also affect climate change in another way. Scientists have found that microplastics impact tiny ocean plants, like plankton, which are crucial for absorbing carbon dioxide. If these plants can’t do their job properly, it makes the climate problem even worse.

Addressing the Issue of Plastic Pollution

Tackling plastic pollution is a big job that needs a lot of different approaches. While local efforts are important, plastic pollution and climate change are global issues, and they often hit the hardest in communities that are least able to handle them.

One key solution is moving toward a circular economy. This means designing products to last longer and be easier to recycle, promoting reuse, and improving how we manage waste. A circular economy aims to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible, while minimizing waste. You can check out our article, “The New Plastic Economy,” to dive deeper into how this works.

Technology also plays a big role in fighting plastic pollution. Innovations like biodegradable and compostable plastics, plastic-to-fuel technologies, and advanced recycling methods can help reduce the environmental impact of plastic.

Switching to sustainable alternatives is another important step. Bio-based plastics made from renewable resources like corn or sugarcane can lower the carbon footprint of plastic production and are often biodegradable. However, these plastics still need energy to produce and can create other environmental issues if not managed well. So, while bio-based plastics are part of the solution, we also need to focus on reducing overall plastic use and improving waste management.

Also Read: Latest Regulations in Plastics Manufacturing

The Role of Governments and Corporations

Governments and industries have a big role in tackling the impact of plastic on climate change. Governments can make rules to promote sustainable practices, like banning single-use plastics, offering recycling incentives, and setting penalties for littering or illegal dumping.

Around the world, there are many efforts to cut down on plastic use and encourage sustainability. For example, some countries like Bangladesh and Tanzania have banned plastic bags, while others have put a tax on them. Even with these measures, the United Nations reports that 5 trillion plastic bags are still used every year.

Policies targeting single-use plastics, such as bans on cutlery, straws, and microbeads, are becoming more common. However, single-use plastic bottles, like those for water and soda, remain a major issue. Although some cities, universities, and organizations have banned these bottles, the problem persists globally.

To put things in perspective, the United Nations estimates that one million single-use plastic bottles are sold every minute. While some companies are switching to biodegradable options and recycling, this is just a start.

Ultimately, the real change comes from consumers choosing to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics. We should switch to reusable bottles and containers or choose more sustainable materials like aluminum cans. This shift requires a change in how we think about consumption.

On an individual level, reducing plastic use, recycling correctly, and participating in community clean-ups can help make a difference. By making thoughtful choices and supporting businesses that focus on sustainability, we can drive change.

Companies, too, can play their part by adopting sustainable packaging, investing in new materials, and involving consumers in their sustainability efforts. However, businesses often need a push from either government policies or consumer demand to make these changes. That’s why governments have introduced measures like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to hold companies accountable for their environmental impact. You can learn more about EPR in our guide.

The Future of Plastic and Climate Change

The way plastic affects climate change is pretty complicated. While plastic makes our lives easier in many ways, it also has a big impact on the environment that we can’t overlook. To tackle this issue, we need to come together—governments, businesses, and individuals—to cut down on plastic production and pollution and lessen their effects on climate change.

That’s where The Plastic Collective comes in. They’re dedicated to reducing climate change and environmental damage by improving how plastic waste is collected and supporting recycling efforts in local communities.

The Plastic Collective works with communities to tackle plastic waste. They offer education programs, supply recycling machinery, and provide training to help build local recycling businesses. They also partner with companies to reduce their plastic use through an innovative plastic offsetting scheme that aims to help businesses achieve plastic neutrality.