Global plastic material flow characterizing plastic packaging and plastics lost to the environment

Abstract

Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials around the world, and its impact on our planet's ecosystems is undeniable. Initiatives to reduce plastic waste have gained much traction over the last five years, but the focus areas of such initiatives don't always align with notable positive impacts. This study aims to recognize the lifetime flow of plastics, from production to end of life, ultimately identifying where plastic reduction efforts can be most impactful. On a global scale, specific data on plastic production and material flow is generally lacking, so calculations relied heavily on data provided in the United Nations' 2015 report about mapping global plastics. By completing a material flow analysis using collected data, a Sankey Diagram was generated with a focus on "Packaging" and "Lost to Environment". This study showed that about 30% of plastic produced goes to packaging, and around 2% of plastic is lost to the environment in its end of life. While the overall percentage of plastic bound for environmental loss is small, it still amounts to over 8 million metric tons of plastic waste. Plastic lost to the environment stems from various sources, making it a difficult issue to tackle, but the importance of addressing this loss is critical. Reducing demand for plastic production through decreased plastic use is one of the most impactful methods to minimize plastic waste, and this study provides knowledge about which plastics pose the greatest threat, thus guiding where efforts should be focused.