Regan Brown
Plastics and fossil fuels are deeply intertwined. Fossil fuels are the source of the chemicals used to make over 99% of plastics, and the two industries are closely connected. Plastics are part of a sector called petrochemicals, which are products made from fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gas. The first commercially produced plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by synthesizing coal tar and wood alcohol. Fossil fuel corporations have a large financial incentive to continue producing plastics, and the world's top plastic-producing companies by volume are all fossil fuel companies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastics made from fossil fuels | 98% to 99% |
| Percentage of greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil fuels | Over 75% |
| Fossil fuels used to make plastics | Crude oil, natural gas, and coal |
| Chemicals sourced from fossil fuels used to make plastics | Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and other minerals |
| Plastic production's contribution to global carbon budget | One-third |
| Plastic production's greenhouse gas emissions compared to the airline industry | Four times more |
| Year plastic was invented | 1907 |
| Inventor of plastic | Chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland |
| First type of plastic | Bakelite |
| Raw materials used to make plastics | Refinery olefins, including propylene, ethylene, and butylenes |
| Plastic's contribution to climate change | Throughout its life cycle |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the source of 99% of plastics
Fossil fuels and plastics are deeply intertwined. Fossil fuels are the source of 99% of plastics, and the two industries are closely connected. This connection has led to a "plastic addiction", with plastic becoming pervasive in our daily lives and causing significant environmental harm.
Plastics are created from fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gas. The first commercially produced plastic, Bakelite, was synthesised from coal tar and wood alcohol. Following World War II, commercial plastic demand increased, and manufacturers began relying on fossil fuels to create cheaper plastic products. Today, the world's top plastic-producing companies are all fossil fuel companies, and they have a financial incentive to continue producing plastics.
The production and use of plastics contribute to climate change and environmental pollution. Plastics are made from hydrocarbons derived from crude oil, natural gas, and coal, which are formed from the remains of living organisms. The extraction, manufacturing, and disposal of plastic all release greenhouse gas emissions, with plastic production emitting four times more greenhouse gases than the airline industry. Plastic waste has tripled between 1970 and 2000, and over 390 million tons of plastic were produced in 2021 alone.
The pervasive use of plastic has led to pollution in our air, water, and even our bloodstream. As plastic does not biodegrade, it breaks down into microplastics that infiltrate ecosystems and impact human and animal health. Policymakers and activists are advocating for measures to reduce plastic production and address the toxic effects of plastic pollution. The global plastics treaty, under negotiation since 2022, aims to tackle plastic pollution, but the effectiveness of this agreement remains to be seen.
To address the plastic crisis, it is essential to recognise the connection between fossil fuels and plastics. By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and single-use plastics, we can work towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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Fossil fuel corporations profit from plastic production
Plastics are made from fossil fuels, with over 99% of plastic derived from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. The two industries are deeply connected, with the fossil fuel industry relying on plastic production as a revenue stream as the world moves towards renewable energy sources. Fossil fuel companies have invested billions in expanding plastic production, with the knowledge that demand for fossil fuels is decreasing.
The fossil fuel industry is pushing plastics on the world, particularly in emerging economies in Asia and Africa. Fossil fuel companies are relying on these markets to drive growth, with the expectation that much of the product will be shipped overseas. The United States is a leading producer and exporter of plastic feedstocks and polymers, with Asia, and China specifically, being the largest importers.
The plastic crisis has become so severe that nations worldwide agreed in 2022 to begin negotiations on a global plastics treaty to address plastic pollution. This crisis has been driven by the fossil fuel industry's push to produce more plastic, with the world's top 7 plastic-producing companies by volume all being fossil fuel companies. The industry is responsible for four times more greenhouse gas emissions than the airline industry, and plastic production is a major contributor to this.
The fossil fuel industry has a large financial incentive to continue producing plastics, with plastic being called the industry's "Plan B". As such, the industry is poised to profit from plastic production, particularly as they are able to produce plastic cheaply due to fossil fuel subsidies. However, there are signs that plastics alone cannot save the fossil fuel industry, with legislative and corporate efforts to curb new plastic production.
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Plastic production drives climate change
A 2021 analysis by Beyond Plastics found that the US plastics industry will be a bigger contributor to climate change than coal-fired power in the nation by 2030. The global annual production of plastic has increased exponentially over the past 65 years, growing from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 460 million metric tons in 2019. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates global plastic use will triple by 2060. This dramatic increase in plastic use is driven by the fossil fuel industry, which is facing a world that is moving towards renewable energy.
The extraction, refining, and manufacture of plastics are all carbon-intensive activities. In 2015, CO2 and other GHG emissions from plastic production reached 1.96 Gt of CO2e, with a cost of $341 billion annually. Globally, carbon dioxide emissions from ethylene production are projected to expand by 34% between 2015 and 2030. Ethylene is the building block for polyethylene plastics. The CIEL report also found that US emissions from plastic incineration in 2015 were 5.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Plastics are a triple threat. The head of the United Nations Environment Programme stated in 2023 that "the way we produce, use, and dispose of plastics is polluting ecosystems, creating risks for human and animal health, and destabilizing the climate." Plastics are found everywhere, including in our clothing, cosmetics, and food packaging. They generate heat-trapping gases at every stage of their life cycle.
To combat climate change, it is critical to reduce plastic production and address the impacts of plastic on the climate. Policymakers must recognize that plastics are just a different form of fossil fuels, and climate mitigation policies must include measures to reduce reliance on plastics, particularly single-use plastics and unnecessary plastic packaging.
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Plastic waste is polluting the environment
Plastic waste is having a devastating impact on the environment. Plastics are made from fossil fuels, and their production has increased exponentially over the past few decades, growing from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 448 million tons in 2015, with 390 million tons produced in 2021 alone. This has resulted in a throw-away culture, with single-use plastics accounting for 40% of the plastic produced annually. These single-use items, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, are used for just minutes or hours but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
The consequences of this plastic waste are dire. Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, threatening habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Every year, 19-23 million tons of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers, and seas. This pollution can alter natural processes and reduce ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change, impacting millions of people's livelihoods, food production, and social well-being. It is most visible in developing nations in Asia and Africa, where garbage collection systems are often lacking. However, developed countries with low recycling rates also struggle to manage plastic waste effectively.
Once plastic waste enters the ocean, it is incredibly difficult to retrieve. It breaks down into microplastics, which spread throughout the water column and have been found everywhere, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. These microplastics are also present in the air and in drinking water systems, and they have been detected in human blood and placentas, as well as in food and drinks. Several chemicals used in plastic production are known to be carcinogenic and can cause various health issues, including developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.
The impact of plastic pollution is not limited to the environment; it also affects economies, with negative consequences for sectors such as small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture. The global trade of plastic products and waste exacerbates the problem, as infrastructure in many locations is insufficient for safe and environmentally sound management.
Addressing this crisis requires collective action on a global scale. While some countries have taken positive steps, such as banning certain single-use plastics, a global plastics treaty is essential to combat this transboundary issue effectively. Improved waste management systems, better product design, reduced manufacturing of single-use plastics, and increased recycling are crucial to preventing plastics from entering waterways and polluting the environment.
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Plastic was invented in 1907
Bakelite was initially produced by synthesising coal tar and wood alcohol. It was durable, heat resistant, and could be easily mass-produced, making it ideal for bringing new design trends such as Art Deco to the masses.
However, it is important to note that the use of natural plastics, such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac, dates back to ancient times. For example, in around 1600 BC, Mesoamericans used natural rubber for balls, bands, and figurines. During the Middle Ages, treated cattle horns were used as windows for lanterns.
The development of plastics accelerated with Charles Goodyear's discovery of vulcanization in 1839, which allowed for the hardening of natural rubber. In 1855, Alexander Parkes invented Parkesine, which was patented the following year. However, it was Baekeland's invention of Bakelite in 1907 that marked the creation of the first fully synthetic plastic, containing no molecules found in nature.
The plastics revolution had a significant impact on society, freeing people from the constraints of natural resource scarcity and making material wealth more accessible. However, the widespread use of plastics has also led to negative consequences, contributing to climate change and polluting ecosystems, creating risks for human and animal health, and destabilizing the climate.
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Frequently asked questions
Over 99% of plastics are made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are mainly crude oil, natural gas, and coal, which are made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen, and other minerals.
Fossil fuels are refined to obtain various chemicals. These chemicals are then linked together by a chemical polymerization mechanism to produce polymers. These polymers are then used to make plastic products.
Plastics contribute to climate change throughout their life cycle. They are associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions and have led to plastic pollution in our environment, including in our waterways and bloodstream.
