As far as environmental problems rank in importance, plastic pollution is now a global priority alongside climate change, according to surveys conducted to gauge Americans’ concerns over environmental problems. Shelton Group, a full-service sustainability marketing agency, conducts targeted ad campaigns and explores sustainability communication strategies. Their work aims to better understand the relationship between sustainability and environmental issues, and human perception and understanding.
During a survey conducted by Shelton Group, surveyors were shown a list of 10 different environmental issues. Data concluded that 65% of Americans expressed feeling very concerned or extremely concerned about plastics in the ocean, compared to 58% who felt very or extremely concerned about climate change.
The U.S is the top plastic consumer and polluter in the world. National Geographic places this rate at roughly 41 million metric tons of plastic waste each year. The reasoning behind this perception change (according to the survey) is thought to be due to plastic’s visibility: any of us can confirm seeing plastic debris on our favorite beach or outdoor area. The problem is easy to notice with our own eyes.
Wildlife is especially disadvantaged when avoiding plastics. They face serious risks when coming into contact with plastic debris, including suffocation, strangulation, starvation (due to mistaking plastics for food, unable to digest their plastic meals) and death. Animal welfare has aided in public awareness regarding plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution studies have linked plastic pollution to causing over 100,000 marine animal deaths per year.
However, the growingly publicized crisis has begged activists to ask the real question: Where does plastic come from in the first place? Who is responsible?
The World’s Largest Plastic Producers
The largest sectors worldwide for plastic production are the packaging and textile industries, producing 141 million tons and 42 millions tons per year, respectively. Plastics are not only harsh on the environment after disposal, but the process of creating virgin plastics has a stark environmental cost as well.
Derived from petroleum based compounds, plastic production consumes 12 million barrels of oil per day (BPD), or roughly 12 percent of total demand for oil based on 2017 figures. This figure is forecasted to grow to almost 18 million BPD by 2050 without intervention. Plastic production directly contributes to chemical pollution and climate change via the emission of greenhouse gasses and air pollutants.
While we are consumers of plastics, producers and distributors of plastics are being more closely watched. Interestingly, few companies around the world are responsible for much of the plastic pollution that exists. According to global audits completed by Break Free From Plastic, a global movement community envisioning a future free from plastic pollution, three massive companies have ranked as the top plastic polluters for two consecutive years.
Four hundred and eighty-four cleanups in over 50 countries and 6 continents organized by Break Free From Plastic, in 
Oil companies such as ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell plan to invest in new petrochemical plants in the coming decades, betting on the rising demand for plastics in emerging economies, many of whom are disproportionately affected by climate change and plastic pollution overall.
What Can Be Done?
Plastic pollution is an environmental problem that must be addressed on all fronts; societal, political, scientific, ethical, etc. Various places around the globe have begun developing and implementing regulations to limit plastic waste and promote more sustainable habits. For example, bans on plastic bags and single-use plastic items.
3 Ways You Can Help the Plastic Pollution Problem
- Reusable Swaps
Skip the plastic water bottles, utensils, and packaging as often and creatively as you can. Invest in reusable options that will not only save you money over time, but will directly lower your plastic waste.
2. Advocacy
In any way you feel inspired to, practice advocacy for regulations that will support reducing plastic waste. Particularly, future laws and limits that will be targeted at the largest plastic polluting businesses in the world to hold them accountable for their impacts.
3. Get Involved
Becoming involved in opportunities like beach clean ups, marches, and fundraisers is rewarding and effective. They create conversations and chances to inspire others to learn more about the importance of protecting the environment from plastic pollution. If you can’t physically join in, donating to organizations that you believe are doing great work in ending plastic pollution is equally effective and appreciated.
Resources & Links
The Shelton Group, 2021. Waking the Sleeping Giant: What Middle America knows about plastic waste and how they’re taking action. Web. https://sheltongrp.com/our-work/
The Ocean Conservancy, 2021. Fighting for Trash Free Seas. Web. https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/plastics-in-the-ocean/
Parker, L. 2020. National Geographic. U.S. generates more plastic trash than any other nation, report finds. Web.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/us-plastic-pollution
Ahmad Ghaddar, Ron Bousso. 2019. Reuters. Rising use of plastics to drive oil demand to 2050: IEA https://www.reuters.com/article/us-petrochemicals-iea/rising-use-of-plastics-to-drive-oil-demand-to-2050-iea-idINKCN1ME2QD
Break Free From Plastic, 2018. Global Brand Audit. Web. https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/globalbrandauditreport2018/
Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser. 2018. Our World in Data. Plastic Pollution. Web. https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution
Greenpeace International, 2019. Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo named top plastic polluters for the second year in a row. Web.