How Much Plastic is Produced Everyday?

As modern questions require modern solutions, this specific question requires a direct answer. We know that this is one of our planet’s biggest enemies in our current days, as we’ve run into this problematic man-made material several times while talking about other environmental topics.

In order to grasp the magnitude of this global emergency, we must understand why we need it and, most importantly, if it’s worth the trouble.

Being defined as a synthetic polymer of carbon and other elements, we have concluded that apart from being cheap, ideal for many applications, and useful in many superficial ways, it’s far worse when we look at the long consequences:

• Most of it is non-degradable and decomposition can last from 400-1000 years;
• It clogs our oceans, lakes, and waterways, entangling and serving as food/poison to our marine life/seabirds;
• It destroys coral reefs;
• It is widely used in packaging, which may end up leading to cancer if we eat our food out of plastic containers;
• Creating and recycling plastic (which is very expensive) produces residues and toxic gases;
• Responsible for many fire hazards;
• Certain components may cause serious hormonal imbalances in humans.

So, taking this into consideration, how much is being daily produced?

There is no easy way to put this, especially when the consequences are no secret to anyone. We are now officially producing around 380 millions tons of plastic, per year, which means that each day we are pumping between 1-2 millions tons into existence.

Alarming Facts 

• 10 million tons of plastic are dumped in our oceans annually;
• Humans eat over 40 tons of plastic in their lifetime;
• Less than 9% of all plastic gets recycled;
• 50% of plastic produced is for single-use purposes.

“There will be more plastic in our ocean than fish by 2050” - Ellen Macarthur Foundation

As a society, we’ve become highly dependent on plastic, to the point where our “disposable” lifestyle translates this industry into a “necessary evil”. As we advance in this path of self destruction, our hope lies in how much we also become more aware of that fact. Fortunately, each one of us can play a part in this fight by changing our thinking and adapting our behaviour.

The famous phrase “It’s just one straw - said 8 billion people”, applies just as much if we all follow the following tips on this environmental struggle - 10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution!

Thank you for your service to the planet and we’ll see you next week!