The Climate Consequences of Plastics | Briefing | EESI

The briefing examines the climate and environmental justice impacts of plastic production, highlighting the role of the petrochemical industry in generating greenhouse gas emissions and toxic pollution. Panelists discuss the failure of plastic recycling, the disproportionate burden on low-income communities and 'Cancer Alley' in Louisiana, and various policy interventions. These include single-use plastic bans in New York and the European Union, extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in Maine and Oregon, and local reuse ordinances in Berkeley, California. The discussion emphasizes the need for a shift toward durable, reusable packaging and the closure of waste management loopholes.

• Plastic production is projected to increase global oil consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions as the material becomes more ubiquitous.
• Plastic recycling rates are very low, at approximately 8.5 percent, leading to the majority of plastic being littered, buried, or burned, often in environmental justice communities.
• The petrochemical industry creates significant environmental justice issues, specifically in 'Cancer Alley' along the Mississippi River in Louisiana, where residents suffer from air toxins and water pollution.
• Various regions have implemented plastic bans and reuse targets: the European Union has banned 10 types of plastics and set a 2030 target for 10 percent of packaging to be reusable; New York state banned plastic bags and, as of January 1, 2022, banned polystyrene foam for food packaging and plastic peanuts.
• Policy initiatives to reduce plastic waste include extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in Maine and Oregon, bottle bills in nine U.S. states, and a comprehensive food waste reduction policy in Berkeley, California, which mandates reusables for on-site dining.

APA

Todoroff, A. (2021). The Climate Consequences of Plastics | Briefing | EESI. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/120921waste

Chicago

Todoroff, Amber. The Climate Consequences of Plastics | Briefing | EESI. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2021. https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/120921waste.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Todoroff |first1=Amber |title=The Climate Consequences of Plastics | Briefing | EESI |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=9 December 2021 |url=https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/120921waste |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{todoroff2021climate, author = {Todoroff, Amber}, title = {{The Climate Consequences of Plastics | Briefing | EESI}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2021}, month = dec, url = {https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/120921waste}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }