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Notorious in foreign countries, Britain and the United States are major manufacturers of plastic waste
2020-11-02
Notorious in foreign countries, Britain and the United States are major manufacturers of plastic waste
Americans are the world's largest contributor to plastic waste. The latest study found that Americans are per person a year manufactured plastic waste topped the highest in the world and, secondly, the British people, made two plastic garbage impact of marine pollution should not be underestimated. As for China and India, they are the top two in terms of total plastic manufacturing.
According to the “Guardian” report, scientists analyzed waste data from the World Bank in 217 countries, mainly targeting the United States and using additional information such as littering, illegal dumping, and pollution from exported plastics.
34 million metric tons made in the U.S.
It turns out that in 2016, the number of plastic waste produced in the U.S. reached 34 million metric tons, which is the highest in the world. If other information is added, the total amount will reach 42 million metric tons, followed by India and China. However, due to the large populations of China and India, After the production volume per person, less than 20% of the contribution of American consumers.
According to "The Verge", Americans produce an average of 127 kilograms of plastic waste, while Europeans produce 54 kilograms, followed by India with 19 kilograms. Among the top 20 countries that produce plastic waste, the amount produced per person in the UK is second only to the United States.
In addition, in 2016, more than half of the plastic recycled in the United States was exported to other countries. Over the years, through this method, the United States has gradually been mistaken as having nothing to do with plastic pollution. Marine Conservation Association researcher Mallos pointed out, "The United States accounts for only 4% of the world's population, but the proportion of plastic waste produced is as high as 17%. The United States should play a more role in the global plastic pollution problem." As for the amount of plastic waste produced in the United States. The high level may be due to the high local income and the level of consumption.
Plastic waste exported to poor countries
After China banned the import of plastic waste in 2018, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Indonesia followed suit. However, the survey also found that the garbage produced in the United States is still exported to poorer countries such as Bangladesh, Laos, Ethiopia and Senegal.
Plastics are still a huge environmental problem, and recycling and reuse are still not enough to solve the problem. According to a 2017 study, only 9% of global plastic waste is recycled. Unless the country at the core of the problem starts to face it, the vast majority of waste will stay in landfills or the environment for hundreds of years.
Malos pointed out, "The solution must start from the home country and reduce the volume by reducing the use of disposable plastics."
The research results were published in the journal "Science Progress".