Rajan Wilcox
Plastic bags are a major contributor to pollution, with images of them strewn across beaches and harming marine life. They are made from fossil fuels, specifically crude oil or natural gas, which are extracted from the earth and turned into the building blocks of plastic through a process called cracking. This involves heating the fossil fuels to break them down into smaller molecules like ethylene and propylene, which are then used to make polymers, the core ingredients of plastic. The US alone uses about 12 million barrels of oil annually to produce plastic bags, and an average American throws away about 10 bags per week, contributing to the growing plastic crisis. As countries move away from burning fossil fuels for energy, oil and gas companies are turning to plastic production to maintain profits, lobbying against laws that reduce plastic waste and derailing global treaties to tackle plastic pollution.
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels power the transportation of goods
Fossil fuels are integral to the process of manufacturing plastic bags. Plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, with over 99% of plastic deriving from these chemicals. Crude oil and natural gas are transported to refineries and turned into the building blocks of plastic through a process called cracking. This involves heating the fossil fuels to break them down into smaller molecules like ethylene and propylene, which are used to make polymers—the core ingredients of plastic.
The transportation of goods is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which provide the energy needed to power vehicles carrying cargo. Fossil fuels, particularly petroleum products, are used to power various modes of transportation, including road, maritime, rail, and aviation. In 2023, the United States consumed a significant amount of energy for transportation, with about 30% used for transporting people and goods. Petroleum products, including motor gasoline, aviation gasoline, distillate fuels, jet fuel, and residual fuel oil, played a dominant role in the US transportation sector, accounting for about 89% of energy use.
The aviation industry, in particular, relies almost entirely on fossil fuels, with jet kerosene as the primary source of energy. Trucks and buses also heavily depend on fossil fuels, with diesel, gasoline, and natural gas as their primary energy sources. Maritime transportation, which accounts for 80% of cross-border world trade, utilizes fossil fuels for ship propulsion and terminal operations.
The relationship between transportation and energy consumption is complex. The speed and energy efficiency of different transport modes vary, with faster modes often being more energy-intensive. For example, maritime transportation is the most energy-efficient mode due to its economies of scale, while aviation is highly energy-intensive.
As countries move away from burning fossil fuels for energy, the fossil fuel industry is shifting its focus to plastic production to maintain profits. This transition underscores the deep connection between the fossil fuel and plastic industries.
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Fossil fuels are refined into chemicals for plastic
Fossil fuels, such as crude oil and natural gas, are the raw materials used to create plastics. These fossil fuels are extracted from the earth and transported to refineries, where they undergo an extensive refining and manufacturing process to be turned into plastic. This process involves breaking down the fossil fuels into smaller molecules, such as ethylene and propylene, through a method called cracking or steam cracking. These smaller molecules are then used to create polymers, which are the core ingredients of plastic products.
The specific amount of fossil fuels used in plastic production is challenging to determine. In the United States, it is estimated that about 12 million barrels of oil are used annually to produce plastic bags. Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo shared this estimate in 2019 when he signed a ban on plastic bags in the state. The Pacific Institute estimated in 2007 that the US uses approximately 17 million barrels of oil each year to manufacture plastic water bottles.
While the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) cannot pinpoint the exact origin and quantities of feedstocks used in plastic production, it is known that the majority of hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) produced in the US are byproducts of natural gas processing. These HGLs contain alkanes and olefins, which can be used as feedstock for petrochemical crackers or direct inputs into plastics manufacturing. Petrochemical feedstocks, such as naphtha and other oils derived from crude oil, are crucial in producing the basic components of plastics.
The connection between the fossil fuel and plastic industries is profound. More than 99% of plastics are made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. As countries move away from burning fossil fuels for energy, oil and gas companies are increasingly investing in plastic production to maintain their profits. This shift towards plastic is concerning as it undermines global efforts to reduce waste and combat the plastic pollution crisis.
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Fossil fuels are used in the manufacturing process
Natural gas liquids (NGLs) such as ethane and propane are extracted and sent to a "cracking facility". Ethane is converted into ethylene, the foundation of polyethylene, the most common plastic globally, often used for packaging and bottles. Propane, on the other hand, is sent to a dehydrogenation plant to be made into propylene, the base of polypropylene, a plastic used in food packaging and vehicle manufacturing.
The petrochemical industry uses these smaller molecules as feedstock for petrochemical crackers, which produce the fundamental components for plastic creation. The flexibility of the petrochemical industry in the feedstock it consumes makes it challenging to pinpoint the exact origin and amounts of the materials used in plastic manufacturing.
Additionally, fossil fuels are burned to power the energy-intensive refining and manufacturing processes involved in plastic production. This dual role of fossil fuels in plastic bag manufacturing further exacerbates their environmental impact.
The production of plastics from fossil fuels is influenced by the demand for and production of oil and gas. Industry analyses suggest that producing plastic from fossil fuels is cost-effective when the by-products not used for plastics are utilised for energy generation, making plastic a byproduct of the fossil fuel industry.
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Plastic bags are hard to recycle
Plastic bags are made from fossil fuels, specifically crude oil or natural gas. These raw materials are extracted from the earth, transported to refineries, and turned into the building blocks of plastic through a process called cracking. This involves heating the fossil fuels to break them down into smaller molecules like ethylene and propylene. These molecules are then used to make polymers, the core ingredients of plastic products.
However, plastic bags are notoriously difficult to recycle. The primary reason lies in the characteristics of the bags themselves and the intricacies of recycling facilities' sorting processes. Plastic bags are typically made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a stretchable and flexible plastic. This material is not easily recyclable through traditional curbside recycling processes due to several mechanical issues. The bags are lightweight and can get caught in recycling machinery, degrading the effectiveness of the sorting process and causing potential damage.
Normal recycling equipment is not designed to handle plastic bags effectively. They are too light, easily blowing around and blocking vents, and they can wrap around shafts and axles. As a result, specialized equipment is required to recycle plastic bags, which can be expensive and challenging to implement. The process of sorting different kinds of plastic is already complex, and the inclusion of plastic bags can further complicate the process, leading to entire batches being considered "ruined."
To address the challenges of recycling plastic bags, many grocery stores and retailers have implemented collection bins specifically for plastic bags. These in-store drop-off locations ensure that the bags are properly managed and sent to facilities equipped to handle their recycling. Additionally, individuals can play a role in reducing plastic bag waste by reusing plastic bags multiple times, opting for reusable bags when shopping, and supporting sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic bags.
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Fossil fuel companies lobby to block anti-plastic-waste laws
Plastic is made from fossil fuels, either crude oil or natural gas, which are extracted from the earth and turned into the building blocks of plastic through a process called cracking. This process involves heating the fossil fuels to break them down into smaller molecules like ethylene and propylene, which are then used to make polymers—the core ingredients of plastic products.
Despite the world's growing awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution and the need to reduce it, the fossil fuel and plastic industries are deeply intertwined and connected. As countries move away from burning fossil fuels for energy, fossil fuel companies are turning to plastic production to maintain their profits. These companies invest heavily in lobbying efforts to block or weaken laws aimed at reducing plastic waste. They are even attempting to derail a potential global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.
At the Climate CoP in Dubai, the fossil fuel industry bloc was notably large, and lobbyists infiltrated high-level meetings, gaining access to exclusive sessions and influencing key negotiations. They have also been accused of intimidation and harassment, including acts directed at independent scientists. Oil-producing states have worked to dilute the ambition of the treaty, with countries like Saudi Arabia, India, Kuwait, and Qatar allegedly trying to restrict the scope of the treaty to waste management only.
The influence of the fossil fuel lobby is also evident in the opposition to a New York state proposal to reduce plastic waste. Lobbying groups, such as the American Chemistry Council, have argued that the bill will disproportionately burden people of color and raise food prices, impacting communities of color that rely on food assistance programs. However, these claims have been called "misleading" and "racist" by advocates and assembly members.
To counter the influence of the fossil fuel lobby, transparency in lobbying activities has been recommended, including full disclosure of representations, payments, and meetings. Additionally, implementing measures to prevent industry lobbyists from dominating negotiations and prioritizing the involvement of frontline communities are crucial steps to address the issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bags are made from fossil fuels, either crude oil or natural gas.
Fossil fuels are extracted from the earth and turned into the building blocks of plastic through a process called cracking. This involves heating the fossil fuels to break them down into smaller molecules like ethylene and propylene, which are then used to make polymers, the core ingredients of plastic products.
It is estimated that about 12 million barrels of oil per year are used to make plastic bags in the US.
Plastic bags are notoriously difficult to recycle and can take over 400 years to degrade. They contribute to plastic pollution, which has harmful effects on the environment, wildlife, and the ocean.
The amount of plastic produced is influenced by the demand for and production of oil and gas. The plastic industry relies on fossil fuels not only as a raw material but also as a source of energy for manufacturing processes.
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