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Scientist's warning on recasting our relationship with plastics: Looking to the broader context
Summary
This scientists' warning examines the full scope of plastic pollution, noting that 460 million tonnes of plastics were manufactured in 2019 with production expected to nearly triple by 2060. Researchers highlight that microplastics are an unavoidable byproduct of everyday plastic use, generated through wear and tear of tires, clothing, paints, and agricultural films. The study emphasizes that plastic pollution poses serious health risks and contributes to climate change, while globally only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled.
In 2019,460 Mt of plastics were manufactured, and this number is expected to nearly triple by 2060. Globally, plastic waste amounts to more than 400 Mt/a, roughly half being from single-use plastics (e.g., packaging), and is projected to rise to above 1,000 Mt by 2060. By 2050, 20% of the world's oil supply will be consumed by plastics, along with 15% of the global carbon budget. Microplastics (MPs) cannot be avoided entirely, as long as plastic materials remain in use, as they form through the wear and tear of plastic items and plastic-coated surfaces, including vehicle components (tires, brakes, upholstery, etc.), road markings, marine coatings, clothing, paints, agricultural films, and synthetic textiles. Plastic pollution poses serious health risks, impairs biodiversity, and contributes to emissions/climate change along the entire 'cradle-to-grave' chain. Consequent damages to ecosystems impair their ability to absorb carbon, such as in phytoplankton and soils. Toxic substances associated with plastics and their uses further threaten health. Globally, only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled, varying from region to region. Better interception and collection of plastic items and post-use management are critical to keep them away from the environment. The end-of-life aspect should be designed into a plastic item before its production. Contaminant materials that challenge recycling should be avoided. Plastic waste must be reduced, mainly by using fewer plastic items in the first place, and applying the Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle (as a last resort) approach. Unnecessary and single/short-term-use plastics, especially disposable packaging, must be minimized. Plastics should be 'saved' for critical applications, where there is no appropriate substitute, e.g., in healthcare, food/water provision, and electronics. This approach also agrees with the need to respect overall resource limits and planetary boundaries. Behavioral changes regarding consumption patterns are also necessary to bring humankind to below ecological overshoot and begin healing the current polycrisis.