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The United States’ contribution of plastic waste to land and ocean
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Researchers found that the United States generated the largest amount of plastic waste of any country in 2016 at 42 million metric tons, with a significant portion being illegally dumped or exported to countries with poor waste management. The study estimates that between 0.91 and 2.24 million metric tons of U.S. plastic waste ended up in the environment, highlighting the need for improved domestic waste reduction strategies.
Plastic waste affects environmental quality and ecosystem health. In 2010, an estimated 5 to 13 million metric tons (Mt) of plastic waste entered the ocean from both developing countries with insufficient solid waste infrastructure and high-income countries with very high waste generation. We demonstrate that, in 2016, the United States generated the largest amount of plastic waste of any country in the world (42.0 Mt). Between 0.14 and 0.41 Mt of this waste was illegally dumped in the United States, and 0.15 to 0.99 Mt was inadequately managed in countries that imported materials collected in the United States for recycling. Accounting for these contributions, the amount of plastic waste generated in the United States estimated to enter the coastal environment in 2016 was up to five times larger than that estimated for 2010, rendering the United States' contribution among the highest in the world.
More Papers Like This
Faculty Opinions recommendation of The United States' contribution of plastic waste to land and ocean.
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This faculty opinion summarizes a landmark study estimating that the United States generates the most plastic waste of any country globally — 42 million metric tons in 2016 — with a significant portion improperly managed domestically or exported abroad. The U.S. contribution to plastic waste and thus eventual microplastic pollution is larger than previously acknowledged.
The United States requires effective federal policy to reduce marine plastic pollution
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This study argued that the United States lacks effective federal policy to address marine plastic pollution, examining gaps in regulation of single-use plastics and fishing nets and calling for comprehensive federal legislation given that the U.S. ranks among the top 20 countries for mismanaged plastic waste entering the ocean.
Dynamic flows and stocks of plastics in the United States and pathways towards zero plastic pollution by 2050
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Researchers modeled the dynamic flows and stocks of plastics in the United States economy from 1950 to 2050, finding that under current trends plastics will continue accumulating in the environment. The analysis identifies pathways such as increased recycling and reduced production that could achieve near-zero plastic pollution by 2050.
Plastic Waste: Challenges and Opportunities to Mitigate Pollution and Effective Management
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Researchers reviewed plastic waste generation and management strategies globally, identifying lack of technical skills, inadequate recycling infrastructure, and poor regulatory awareness as the main barriers to addressing the ~400 million tons of plastic produced annually.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.