Plastic Waste Statistics and Why They Matter
Plastic waste is an escalating crisis worldwide, and its consequences are far-reaching. With the rise of plastic production and consumption, managing plastic waste has become a significant challenge for businesses. This blog delves into the latest plastic waste statistics and their implications.
We’ll also reveal why UK businesses need to take proactive steps in managing and recycling their plastic waste and how they can do so.
A Global Crisis in Numbers: Plastic Waste Statistics
To grasp the magnitude of the plastic waste issue, let’s look at some key statistics:
- Global plastic production has grown exponentially. It rose from 2 million tonnes of plastic waste in 1950 to a staggering 460 million tonnes in 2019.
- Up to half of all plastic products, like plastic bottles and bags, are single-use. This type of plastic is used once and then thrown away.
- It’s estimated that 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide annually. This equates to one million used every minute.
- 79% of all plastic waste ends up in landfills or the natural environment. Only 9% is recycled, and 12% is incinerated.
- It takes anywhere from 20 to 500 years for plastics to decompose.
- Up to 12 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans each year, causing severe damage to marine ecosystems.
- A horrifying 1 million seabirds are killed by marine plastic pollution every year. A further 100,000 marine mammals and turtles also die from plastic-related causes.
These numbers aren’t just statistics. They represent a crisis that demands urgent attention across the globe.
Why Is Plastic Bad for the Environment?
Plastic’s properties that make it so useful—durability and longevity—are also the reasons why it’s bad for the environment. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics. These particles persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
Here are some key effects of plastic waste on the environment:
Plastic Waste Pollution
Plastic waste pollutes our land, rivers, and seas. The vast majority of plastic ends up in landfills or makes its way into the ocean, harming marine life and food chains. Worryingly, this trend is on the rise, with the amount of plastic entering the ocean expected to triple by 2040.
Harm to Ocean Wildlife
Plastic debris, especially microplastics, is ingested by marine animals, causing injury and death. Plastic straws have been found in sea turtles’ noses, and seabirds’ stomachs are often full of plastic. Fishing gear and plastic packaging frequently entangle animals. In addition, plastic debris can degrade natural habitats like coral reefs.
Climate Change
The production of plastic relies heavily on fossil fuels. These are the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. In fact, 99% of all plastics are made from fossil fuels like natural gas and oil. Moreover, the process of refining plastics emits 184 to 213 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gases annually.
Human Health
Microplastics have been found in drinking water, seafood, and even human blood. It’s estimated that the average person will eat, drink, or inhale 78,000 to 211,000 particles of microplastic every year. This raises serious concerns about potential health effects. To illustrate the extent of the problem, 1 in 3 fish consumed by humans contains plastic.
The UK’s Plastic Pollution Problem: Further Plastic Statistics
The UK is not immune to this global crisis. Its recycling rate for plastic packaging is relatively high compared to many countries. However, a significant amount of plastic waste still ends up in landfills or is incinerated. The UK government has set ambitious targets to reduce plastic waste, but more needs to be done.
According to recent research, these are some key plastic pollution facts specific to the UK:
- UK households throw away an estimated 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging annually. This is the equivalent of 66 plastic items per household each week.
- In 2021, the UK recycled about 44% of its plastic packaging waste.
- However, only 12% of the UK’s total plastic waste is recycled domestically, while the rest is incinerated, sent to landfill, or exported.
Why Plastic and Plastic Packaging Waste Matter for UK Businesses
Here’s why UK businesses need to take plastic waste seriously:
Regulatory Compliance
The UK government has introduced and is planning to implement stricter regulations on plastic packaging and single-use plastics. For example, the Plastic Packaging Tax was introduced in 2022 and increased in 2024. Businesses that don’t comply risk facing financial penalties.
Consumer Demand
Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable products and packaging. Businesses that ignore this trend risk losing customers to more eco-conscious competitors. On a global scale, 81% of people strongly believe businesses should work towards helping the environment.
Brand Reputation
A company’s environmental performance is now a key factor in brand reputation. Businesses that proactively address their plastic footprint can enhance their brand image. This will attract environmentally conscious consumers. Research found that 65% of Brits will pay more for sustainable products.
Investor Pressure
Investors are increasingly considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions. Companies with strong sustainability practices, like plastic waste reduction, are often more attractive to investors.
Cost Savings
Reducing plastic waste can lead to cost savings in areas such as packaging, waste disposal, and transportation. Switching to reusable packaging, for instance, can significantly reduce packaging costs in the long run.
How Businesses Can Address the Issue of Plastic Waste
There are many steps businesses can take to reduce their plastic footprint:
- Audit: Understand how much plastic your business uses and where it ends up.
- Reduce: Prioritise reducing plastic at the source. Eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging waste and change to reusable or recyclable alternatives. Also consider innovative science advances in packaging materials.
- Reuse: Explore options for reusing packaging materials. This could involve implementing reusable packaging systems for products. You could also partner with companies specialising in packaging repurposing, like Packaging Reuse and Disposal Service.
- Recycle: Ensure that plastic waste is properly sorted and recycled. Invest in waste management systems that maximise recycling rates and minimise landfill.
- Engage: Educate employees and customers about the importance of reducing plastic waste. Encourage them to adopt sustainable practices and support businesses committed to environmental responsibility.
Tackle the Problem of Plastic Waste With Packaging Reuse
The shocking plastic waste statistics are a stark reminder of the urgent need to tackle this global crisis. As UK businesses, it’s our responsibility to take action and address the issue of plastic waste.
At Packaging Reuse, we specialise in helping businesses manage their industrial packaging waste in an environmentally responsible way. Our services include plastic packaging recycling, reconditioning, and safe disposal.
We can help you reduce your plastic footprint and comply with regulations while saving costs and improving your brand image. We recycle 50-60 tonnes of plastic per month with considerably more plastic going through one of our reuse options.
Let’s work together to tackle the plastic waste problem. Contact our expert team and find out how we can assist you in developing a tailored plastic waste management strategy.
