Billions of tons of plastic trash accumulating on Earth: report

Billions of tons of plastic trash accumulating on Earth: report

PanARMENIAN.Net - The world has a plastic problem. More than 9.1 billion tons (8.3 metric tons) of it have been produced on Earth, with most dumped into landfills or the oceans, U.S. researchers said Wednesday, July 19, according to AFP.

The report in the journal Science Advances is described as "the first global analysis of all mass-produced plastics," and warns that an even more dire scenario lies ahead.

At the current pace, "over 13 billion tons of plastic waste will be discarded in landfills or in the environment by 2050."

This amount -- which converts to 12 billion in metric tons -- is about 35,000 times as heavy as the Empire State Building in New York City.

"Most plastics don't biodegrade in any meaningful sense, so the plastic waste humans have generated could be with us for hundreds or even thousands of years," said Jenna Jambeck, study co-author and associate professor of engineering at the University of Georgia.

"Our estimates underscore the need to think critically about the materials we use and our waste management practices."

Researchers compiled their data from production statistics for resins, fibers and additives from a variety of industry sources.

The report found that as of 2015, nearly seven billion tons (6.3 metric tons) of plastic waste was generated on our planet.

A total of 79 percent of that plastic waste accumulated in landfills or the environment, including the oceans.

Despite widespread efforts toward re-usability, only nine percent was recycled.

Another 12 percent was incinerated, a process that can also be harmful to the environment.

Recycling is not much help when it comes to plastics, because they do not dissolve in the environment.

None of the plastics in widespread use are biodegradable.

 Top stories
Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive.
In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million).
The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".
The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.
Partner news
---