Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made
University of California, Santa Barbara · University of Georgia · +1 more institution
Abstract
Plastics have outgrown most man-made materials and have long been under environmental scrutiny. However, robust global information, particularly about their end-of-life fate, is lacking. By identifying and synthesizing dispersed data on production, use, and end-of-life management of polymer resins, synthetic fibers, and additives, we present the first global analysis of all mass-produced plastics ever manufactured. We estimate that 8300 million metric tons (Mt) as of virgin plastics have been produced to date. As of 2015, approximately 6300 Mt of plastic waste had been generated, around 9% of which had been recycled, 12% was incinerated, and 79% was accumulated in landfills or the natural environment. If…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 236.74
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 20
Authors
3Topics & keywords
- Production (economics)
- Business
- Biochemical engineering
- Environmental science
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Economics