Plastics 101: Navigating the Types and Terms
With an estimated 460 million metric tons of plastic produced every year, the scope and scale of plastic pollution are staggering. Globally, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, and up to five trillion plastic bags are used annually¹². The threat plastic poses to both our bodies and the environment is widely acknowledged, yet despite demands for change, plastic production is set to triple by 2030³.
For consumers trying to reduce their plastic footprint, navigating sustainable choices can feel overwhelming. Greenwashing, the omnipresence of plastic, and unclear terminology often complicate decision-making. Understanding various types of plastics—virgin, recycled, ocean-bound, and bioplastic—can help us make informed choices. Here’s a closer look at each.
Virgin Plastic
Virgin plastic is new plastic, produced directly from fossil fuels like crude oil and natural gas. Its low cost, durability, and versatility make it popular for countless everyday products, from bottles to furniture. However, its environmental and health costs are significant: virgin plastic production depletes resources, generates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, introduces microplastics, and drives habitat destruction. Furthermore, plastic exposure is linked to health issues like hormonal disruption and respiratory and neurological disorders⁴.
Energy & Water: Virgin plastic production is resource-intensive, requiring significant energy and water. Petrochemical processes, including fracking and refining, consume substantial water and release pollutants that threaten aquatic life⁵⁶.
GHG Emissions: Plastics are a major GHG contributor, with U.S. plastic emissions expected to surpass coal emissions by 2030. Globally, plastics could account for 19% of the carbon budget by 2040⁷.
Microplastic Contamination: Durable and slow to degrade, plastic often breaks down into microplastics that infiltrate ecosystems, food chains, and even human bodies. A plastic bottle entering the ocean, breaking down, and being ingested by marine life illustrates the interconnectedness of these harms⁸.
Habitat Destruction: Plastic production contributes to habitat loss, with accumulation in ecosystems blocking waterways, degrading water quality, and threatening biodiversity⁹.
Recycled Plastic
While the linear “take, make, waste” model is standard for plastics, recycled plastic aims to break this cycle by repurposing material. Products like recycled polyester apparel and bottles represent efforts to extend plastic’s lifecycle. However, recycling is often a temporary fix. Recycled plastics can be downcycled into lower-quality items, limiting their recycling potential after only a few uses. Mixed-material items further complicate recycling¹⁰¹¹.
Bioplastics
Bioplastics, derived from biological materials like sugarcane or corn, offer an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. They are often marketed as compostable or biodegradable. However, many require industrial composting facilities to degrade, which aren’t widely available. When mixed with conventional plastics, bioplastics can disrupt recycling processes, potentially negating their environmental benefits. Certifications like "BPI Certified" or "OK Compost" can help consumers ensure proper disposal¹².
Ocean-Bound Plastic
Ocean-bound plastic includes waste within 30 miles of coastlines in areas with insufficient waste management. Collecting and repurposing this plastic can help reduce marine pollution. Though a valuable intervention, it requires resources, and the quality of ocean-recovered plastic may limit its reusability¹³.
Which Is Best?
Each type of plastic offers temporary solutions to mitigate the impacts of virgin plastic, but the real path forward lies in reducing plastic production and shifting to sustainable materials. While governments, corporations, and the fossil fuel industry hold primary responsibility, consumer actions play a crucial role. Choosing reusable and refillable products, supporting brands that minimize plastic use, and advocating for systemic change are ways we can collectively reduce reliance on plastic¹⁴¹⁵.
Delilah Harvey is a sustainability consultant, climate content creator, and writer based in Los Angeles. With a background in strategic communications and sustainable business, Delilah specializes in offering practical tips, accessible educational info, and inspiring stories that empower individuals to live more sustainable, connected lives. Her work is driven by the belief that sustainability can be joyful, community-driven, and impactful for both people and the planet.
Sources:
2 Lai, O. (2024, May 28). 8 shocking plastic pollution statistics to know about. Earth.Org.
6 Ritchie, H., Samborska, V., & Roser, M. (2023, December 28). Plastic Pollution. Our World in Data.
7 Romuno, J. (2021, August 11). PLA vs plastic: What’s the difference?. Recycle Track Systems.
9 Borrelle, S. B., et al. (2020). Predicted growth in plastic waste exceeds efforts to mitigate plastic pollution. Science.
10 Jambeck, J. R., et al. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science.
11 Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances.
12 UNEP. (2021). Bioplastics: Use and disposal. United Nations Environment Programme.
13 Schmidt, C., Krauth, T., & Wagner, S. (2017). Export of plastic debris by rivers into the sea. Environmental Science & Technology.
15 WWF. (2020). Plastics: The costs to society, the environment and the economy. WWF Report.
