Carbon can be emitted from plastic in several ways. The primary way that carbon is emitted from plastic is through its production and disposal.
During the production of plastic, fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas are used as raw materials. The extraction, transportation, and processing of these materials all result in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Additionally, the manufacturing process itself consumes energy, which also contributes to carbon emissions.
When plastic is disposed of in landfills or through open burning, it can release methane and carbon monoxide, which are potent greenhouse gases. When plastic ends up in the environment and exposed to UV radiation and elements, it breaks down into smaller pieces called microplastics. These microplastics can absorb persistent organic pollutants and can be ingested by marine life, birds and other wild life.
Another way plastic can emit carbon into the atmosphere is through its disposal by incineration. Incineration of plastic waste is an energy-intensive process that releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
Overall, the production, use, and disposal of plastic all contribute to carbon emissions and contribute to climate change.
The amount of carbon emitted by plastic can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of plastic, the manufacturing process, and the method of disposal. According to some estimates, the production of plastic is responsible for around 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with the majority of these emissions coming from the extraction and refining of fossil fuels used to make the plastic.
A study by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) estimates that plastic packaging alone is responsible for around 1.8 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year, which is roughly equivalent to the emissions from 189 coal-fired power plants.
When plastic waste is incinerated, it can release a significant amount of carbon into the atmosphere, including CO2 and other pollutants. According to the United Nations, the incineration of plastic waste alone is responsible for around 3% of global CO2 emissions.
Overall, the carbon emissions associated with plastic production and disposal are significant and contribute to climate change. It is important to reduce the use of single-use plastics and to properly manage plastic waste through recycling and incineration with energy recovery to decrease the carbon emissions associated with plastic.
Global Plastic Production Summary
Producing plastic takes around 62 to 108 megajoules of energy per kilogram, based on U.S. efficiency averages.
A new study suggested that between 2.5% and 3.6% of worldwide oil, natural gas & petroleum consumption was used as feedstock for plastics materials.
According to data from the World Bank, the top countries that generate the most plastic waste are China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. These countries are among the top contributors to plastic pollution in the ocean, with China alone responsible for around 28% of the total plastic waste that enters the ocean. The United States and Brazil also generate significant amounts of plastic waste, ranking among the top 20 countries in terms of total plastic waste generation.
It’s worth noting that these numbers might not be accurate as many countries lacks proper waste management system and might not have a good data of the plastic waste generated, so it’s hard to measure the plastic waste generated by each country.
It’s important to note that the amount of plastic waste generated by a country is not only related to its population size, but also to the level of economic development, waste management infrastructure, and cultural practices of the country. Therefore, it is important to take a comprehensive approach to addressing plastic pollution that involves not only reducing the amount of plastic waste generated but also improving waste management infrastructure, promoting recycling and reducing the use of single-use plastics.
