Plastic waste has become a major problem globally, causing water and land pollution, and killing marine life. It is often thought that plastic waste is a leading contributor to global warming, however, it is more complex than this. While plastic does play a role in global warming, its influence is indirect and highly variable.
In order to understand the connection between plastic waste and global warming, it is important to consider the entire cycle of plastic. Production of plastic requires energy and releases greenhouse gases—predominantly in the form of carbon dioxide—into the air. Plastic may also be used to wrap products, which increases comfort and convenience for consumers, but decreases the amount of time it takes to pack and dispatch items and can lead to increased packaging waste. Further, when plastic is poorly managed, land and water pollution occur directly, not to mention any further problems associated with microplastics in nature.
The contribution of plastic to global warming seems obvious, but the scale and nature of this contribution is far from clear. The science behind the connection between plastic waste and global warming is complex and the evidence is inconclusive. While plastic production and disposal can both lead to greenhouse gas emissions, and a recent study by the UK’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) concluded that plastic waste alone was responsible for as much as 10–20% of total global warming, other studies suggest emissions from plastic is less than 1%.
It’s also important to consider other factors, such as plastic being replaced by alternatives that may use more energy and release more carbon emissions in production. Therefore, it can be difficult to accurately gauge how much plastic contributes to global warming compared to other sources. What’s more, plastic can be used in a variety of applications, from industrial insulation to pharmaceutical packaging, making assessment of the impact of plastic on global warming even more complicated.
In short, plastic waste and global warming are clearly related, but further research is needed to establish the scale of this relationship and the exact implications. Despite this, it is clear that plastic needs to be managed carefully and sustainably, as it is a major contributor to ocean pollution and a significant source of toxic microplastics. We can all help reduce plastic pollution, and our use of plastic, by simply reducing our consumption, opting for renewable and recyclable materials, and using sustainable packaging like paper and cardboard.
We all have an important role to play in reducing plastic pollution and protecting the environment. Improving waste management systems, investing in research and development of sustainable plastic materials, and rethinking our approach to single-use plastics will help reduce global warming, but everyone needs to take responsibility and do their part.
