Ameer Randolph
Plastic is a material that has become pervasive in our lives, from phone cases to water bottles to tea bags and clothing. It is estimated that over 390 million tons of plastic were produced in 2021 alone, and global plastic use is projected to triple by 2060. This poses a significant threat to the environment and human health as plastic breaks down into microplastics, which release toxic chemicals from fossil fuels into the surrounding environment and can cause various health issues such as obesity, thyroid disorders, and infertility. With over 99% of plastic made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, it is clear that the two are intrinsically linked. As the world moves towards renewable energy, the fossil fuel industry is facing a crisis, and plastic production has become a new opportunity for profit. This has resulted in a relentless growth in plastic demand, driven by subsidies for fossil fuels, and it is projected that plastic consumption will account for 20% of global oil and gas consumption by 2050.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic made from fossil fuels | 98% - 99% |
| Percentage of plastic made from fossil fuels that are single-use | 98% |
| Global plastic production in 2021 | 390 million tons |
| Global plastic production in 2019 | 460 million tons |
| Global plastic production in 1950 | 2 million tons |
| Percentage of plastic waste that tripled between 1970 and 2000 | >50% |
| Percentage of global oil and gas consumption that plastic consumption will account for by 2050 | 20% |
| Percentage of global carbon emission budget that plastic production could account for by 2050 | 21% - 31% |
| Number of plastic bottles consumed every minute | 1 million |
| Number of plastic bottles consumed during a United Nations (UN) Conference on Trade and Development | 60 million |
| Percentage of recycled plastic out of global plastic production | 6% |
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What You'll Learn
- Fossil fuels are used to make single-use plastics
- Fossil fuel companies have a financial incentive to produce plastics
- Fossil fuel by-products are dangerous to human health
- Fossil fuel subsidies are driving plastic consumption
- Fossil fuel extraction and plastic manufacturing cause greenhouse gas emissions
Fossil fuels are used to make single-use plastics
Fossil fuels and plastics are deeply interconnected. Fossil fuels are a key component in the production of plastics, and the two industries are linked in a symbiotic relationship. Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, and this connection has been known since World War II when the US Military began experimenting with plastics made from fossil fuels. Following the war, commercial demand for plastic skyrocketed, and manufacturers turned to fossil fuels to meet this demand. This reliance on fossil fuels for plastic production has only increased since, with global plastic production increasing by 400% in the 1960s.
The specific fossil fuels used to create plastics include natural gas, feedstocks derived from natural gas processing, and feedstocks derived from crude oil refining. Petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for petrochemical crackers, which produce the basic building blocks for plastics.
The fossil fuel industry has a significant financial incentive to continue producing plastics. As the world transitions to clean energy sources, the demand for fossil fuels for energy production decreases. However, by pivoting to plastic production, fossil fuel companies can maintain and even increase their profits. This shift towards plastics is evident as the world's top seven plastic-producing companies by volume are all fossil fuel companies.
The production and use of single-use plastics have severe environmental and health consequences. Plastics contribute to climate change throughout their life cycle, from fossil fuel extraction to plastic waste disposal. Single-use plastics, in particular, are a significant contributor to plastic pollution, as they are designed to be used once and then discarded. As sunlight and other elements degrade these plastics, they break down into microplastics, which pollute terrestrial and marine ecosystems. These microplastics release the toxic chemicals housed in fossil fuels, causing environmental degradation and health issues for humans and animals.
To address the plastic crisis, policymakers must implement measures to reduce the reliance on single-use plastics and curb plastic production. This includes advocating for a clean, zero-waste future and holding corporate polluters accountable for the plastic waste they create.
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Fossil fuel companies have a financial incentive to produce plastics
Plastic is made from fossil fuels, and the two industries are deeply intertwined. The world's top seven plastic-producing companies by volume are all fossil fuel companies. Fossil fuel companies have a financial incentive to continue producing plastics, as the world transitions to cleaner energy sources. As demand for fossil fuels for electricity and transportation decreases, these companies are turning to the development of petrochemicals and fossil hydrocarbons for plastic manufacturing to maintain their profits.
The fossil fuel industry is pushing plastics onto the world, particularly in emerging economies in Asia and Africa. This is despite the unpopularity of plastics, with an Ipsos survey finding that 71% of consumers worldwide want to ban single-use plastics. However, plastics are cheap, lightweight, flexible, and durable, which has made them ubiquitous.
The production of plastics is a significant contributor to climate change, with a US federal government study estimating that by 2050, plastic production could account for between 21% to 31% of the global carbon emission budget required to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees. Plastic production is also a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions, with fossil fuels accounting for over 75% of these emissions. As plastics degrade, they break into microplastics, which pollute ecosystems and release toxic chemicals, causing environmental degradation and health problems for humans and animals.
To combat the climate crisis and protect ecosystems and health, policymakers must implement measures to reduce plastic production and encourage the identification and elimination of toxic chemicals in plastic production. This includes prohibiting the production and trade of problematic plastics and requiring manufacturers to disclose the chemical content of plastics.
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Fossil fuel by-products are dangerous to human health
Plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. Crude oil, natural gas, and feedstocks derived from natural gas processing and crude oil refining are used to manufacture plastics. Petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for petrochemical crackers that produce the basic building blocks for making plastics.
Additionally, microplastics, which are tiny pieces of degraded plastics, release toxic chemicals housed in fossil fuels into the environment. Microplastics have been linked to various health issues, including obesity, thyroid disorders, infertility, and more. Petrochemical additives used in plastics have been associated with musculoskeletal deformities, skin irritation, and fetal growth failure.
The combustion of fossil fuels, including coal, oil, gasoline, diesel, and natural gas, disproportionately affects children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Exposure-related damage, disease, or impairment during early life can impact long-term health and functioning, including adverse effects on brain development and learning abilities.
Overall, the by-products of fossil fuel use and plastic production have far-reaching and dangerous impacts on human health, with global consequences.
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Fossil fuel subsidies are driving plastic consumption
Plastic is everywhere, from the fabrics of our clothing to the insides of fish meant for human consumption. And while plastic use became more widespread during World War II when the US military experimented with more universal uses, it was the subsequent commercial demand that led manufacturers to seek cheaper production methods, thus turning to fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are the primary source of plastic production, with over 99% of plastic made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. Fossil fuel corporations have a large financial incentive to continue producing plastics, and as the world transitions to clean energy, these companies will continue to rely on the development of fossil fuels into petrochemicals and hydrocarbons for plastic manufacturing.
The fossil fuel industry is pushing plastics onto the world, with the top seven plastic-producing companies by volume being fossil fuel companies. Fossil fuel subsidies, which take the form of low-cost leases, tax breaks, grants for capital investments, and concessional loans, are driving plastic consumption. These subsidies allow the industry to dominate markets and continue mass-producing virgin plastic, causing harm to ecosystems and human health.
Despite the imperative and global shift towards non-fossil renewable energy, the fossil fuel industry continues to grow from subsidy-backed petrochemical expansion. As subsidies for fossil fuels continue, industries that should be phased out remain propped up, undermining efforts to transition to sustainable alternative energy and materials.
The negative impacts of plastics are far-reaching and dangerous, and as plastic use is a byproduct of the fossil fuel industry, it is just as destructive. Fossil fuel subsidies, which date back to at least the early 20th century, have increased over time, fuelling the plastics industry as oil and gas byproducts serve as feedstocks for plastic production. These subsidies, which keep plastic prices artificially low, are driving plastic consumption and perpetuating the production of plastics, to the detriment of the environment and public health.
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Fossil fuel extraction and plastic manufacturing cause greenhouse gas emissions
Fossil fuels and plastics are deeply interconnected. Plastics are made from petrochemicals, or products derived from fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gas. Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, and the world's top 7 plastic producers are all fossil fuel companies. Fossil fuel industries are increasingly turning to the development of petrochemicals and fossil hydrocarbons for plastic manufacturing to maintain and grow their profits in the face of the world's transition to clean energy.
The production of plastics from fossil fuels generates considerable mercury emissions that are toxic to humans and wildlife. Fossil fuel by-products, such as microplastics, are also harmful to human health and have been linked to various issues, including obesity, thyroid disorders, and infertility. Additionally, the disposal of plastic waste contributes to leachate (toxic garbage juice) that contaminates soil and groundwater.
The plastic crisis has become so severe that nations worldwide agreed in 2022 to negotiate a global plastics treaty to address plastic pollution. However, the negotiations are expected to take years, and immediate action is needed to reduce the threats posed by plastic to the environment and human health.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to determine exactly how much fossil fuel is used to make plastic as the petrochemical industry has a high degree of flexibility in the feedstock it consumes. However, it is estimated that by 2050, plastic production could account for between 21% to 31% of the global carbon emission budget.
Fossil fuels used to make plastic include oil, coal, and natural gas. Crude oil is a source of raw material (feedstock) for making plastics, but it is not the major source of feedstock for plastics production in the United States.
The use of fossil fuels to create plastics began during World War II when the US Military experimented with more universal uses. Following the war, commercial plastic demand greatly increased, and manufacturers began to rely on fossil fuels to create cheaper plastic. Global plastic production increased by 400% in the 1960s and has continued to climb since.
Using fossil fuels for plastic production has significant environmental impacts. Plastic contributes to climate change throughout its life cycle, from fossil fuel extraction to plastic manufacturing and waste disposal. Plastic pollution also breaks down into microplastics, which infiltrate ecosystems and release toxic chemicals, causing environmental degradation and health problems for humans and animals.
