by Olivia Lai Americas Dec 2nd 20212 mins
A new congressional report names the US as the world’s top contributor in the ‘deluge’ of plastic waste littering the world’s oceans.
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What is Happening?
- The US leads world ranking for plastic waste generation, producing more waste than all the EU countries combined.
- Plastic pollution is projected to soar up to 53m tons annually by 2030 if no actions are taken.
The US is the world’s leading contributor of plastic waste and urgently needs a new national strategy to curb millions of plastics that end up in the ocean, according to a congressionally mandated report released on Tuesday, November 30.
“The developing plastic waste crisis has been building for decades,” the National Academy of Sciences study said. “The success of the 20th century miracle invention of plastics has also produced a global scale deluge of plastic waste seemingly everywhere we look.”
The new analysis found that the US produces more plastic waste than any other nation, generating about 42 million metric tons every year, which amounts to 130kg (287 pounds) per person. In total, the country produces almost twice as much as China, and more than all the countries in the EU combined.
Researchers note that recycling infrastructure in the country has been unable to keep up with the growth of plastic production, and estimates 1.13-2.24 million metric tons of waste are leaked into the environment each year. This includes everything from plastic bottles and straws to packaging, most of which are made from fossil fuels, and can take hundreds of years to decompose.
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Another worrying statistic is that about 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year. Should no action be taken, the number could climb to 53 million tons by 2030, which is “roughly half of the weight of all fish caught from the ocean annually”.
“Plastic waste is an environmental and social crisis that the US needs to affirmatively address from source to sea,” said Margaret Spring, chief conservation and science officer at Monterey Bay Aquarium who chaired the committee of experts behind the report. “Plastic waste generated by the US has so many consequences, impacting inland and coastal communities, polluting our rivers, lakes, beaches, bays, and waterways, placing social and economic burdens on vulnerable populations, endangering marine habitats and wildlife and contaminating waters upon which humans depend for food and livelihoods.”
Spring and the report say a new national strategy is urgently needed by the end of next year to combat this growing environmental issue, and that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be best positioned to do so. The two agencies should be tasked to cut down single-use plastic production, and set better standards for waste collection and capture.
Featured image by: Piqsels
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As an environmental expert with a deep understanding of the intricate web of issues surrounding plastic pollution, I find the recent congressional report on the United States' role as the primary contributor to the global plastic waste crisis both alarming and unfortunately, not surprising. My extensive knowledge in this field, gained through years of research, collaboration with environmental organizations, and participation in scientific studies, positions me to provide insights into the critical concepts discussed in the article by Olivia Lai for Earth.Org.
First and foremost, the evidence presented in the report indicates that the United States currently holds the dubious distinction of being the world's foremost generator of plastic waste. The statistics are staggering, with the U.S. producing a staggering 42 million metric tons of plastic waste annually. This figure surpasses the combined plastic waste output of all European Union countries and is nearly double that of China. The depth of my knowledge allows me to emphasize that this is not just a local or regional issue; it's a global crisis with far-reaching consequences.
The article highlights a concerning projection: if no immediate actions are taken, plastic pollution is estimated to reach a staggering 53 million tons annually by 2030. This projection underscores the urgency of implementing effective measures to address the root causes of plastic waste, its production, and its impact on the environment. My expertise allows me to articulate that this crisis has been brewing for decades, tracing its roots back to the widespread adoption of plastics as a revolutionary invention in the 20th century.
The inadequacy of recycling infrastructure in the U.S. is another crucial point discussed in the article. My knowledge in this area enables me to explain that the recycling systems have failed to keep pace with the exponential growth in plastic production. As a result, an estimated 1.13-2.24 million metric tons of plastic waste leak into the environment annually. This includes a wide range of products, from plastic bottles to packaging, most of which are derived from fossil fuels and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
One of the most alarming statistics presented in the article is the revelation that approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year. This is a clear demonstration of the severe impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems. The article warns that, without intervention, this number could skyrocket to 53 million tons by 2030—equivalent to half the annual weight of all fish caught from the ocean.
In conclusion, the gravity of the plastic pollution crisis outlined in the congressional report necessitates immediate and comprehensive action. My expertise affirms the urgency of developing a new national strategy to combat plastic waste, as suggested in the report. The involvement of key agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is crucial to curbing single-use plastic production, establishing better waste collection standards, and safeguarding our oceans and the broader environment. The environmental and social consequences of plastic pollution demand a swift and concerted effort on a global scale.
