While things like the Covid pandemic and invasion of Ukraine have taken attention away from the environment, the issue of plastic packaging waste remains a considerable one. Indeed, with less than 15% of all plastic waste recycled in the United States, it’s clear that there is much still to be done to improve matters.

The situation is similar in many western countries, where the traditional approach has been to ship their waste to Asia. These countries have shown less willingness to accept waste in recent years, however.

Global supply chains

Research from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign explores the global patterns in plastic waste, with the most waste emanating from China, Brazil, and the U.S.

“We wanted to follow the plastic packaging waste embedded in the global supply chain. This work allows us to conclude the problem is a responsibility shared between economic agents, from the producers and their intermediaries to the retail stores and the consumers,” the researchers explain.

The researchers measured the flow of plastic packaging waste not only on a global level but also on a multiregional level based on data from the World Bank and EXIOBASE.

The analysis shows that North and South America generate 41% of the world’s plastic packaging waste, with the United States and Brazil the worst offenders. By contrast, Europe generates 24% and Asia 21% of global totals. A similar picture emerges in terms of consumers as well, with North and South American consumers the worst offenders.

“High-protein food such as meat, fish, and dairy is a trademark in the Americas and those generate a lot of plastic packaging waste,” the researchers explain. “For instance, every 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) of fish consumed will lead to an average of about 1.6 kg (2.5 lbs.) waste. This includes plastic bags, trays, and cellophane used to wrap and cover the fish during transportation, storage, and sales.”

Global trade

Global trade often exacerbates the problem as it necessitates the use of plastic packaging to protect the freshness of foods as they’re shipped around the world. The researchers urge society to focus on developing plastics that are more biodegradable.

The responsibility for doing this should be born by both consumers and producers alike, with all of society working together to tackle what is a global problem.

“All agents along the supply chain and final consumers need incentives to reduce plastic use. Some examples are taxes on waste management or refunds for returning plastic bottles,” the authors conclude.

“Other steps include banning of single-use plastic straws, or imposing fees for grocery store plastic bags. Consuming locally grown, seasonal food would help, and so would better transparency about the true recyclability associated with the resin identification code stamped on plastic packaging.”