Clean Energy 101: Reducing Climate Pollution from the Plastics Industry

This guide by RMI outlines the climate impact of the plastics industry, emphasizing that plastic production is a significant source of carbon pollution due to its reliance on fossil fuels. It discusses the necessity of accurate carbon accounting, the potential for decarbonization through renewable energy and electrification, and the climate implications of various plastic waste disposal methods.

• Plastic production is a major driver of climate change, with approximately 12 percent of the annual global oil supply used for its creation, which results in 3.4 percent of global carbon pollution.
• Global primary production of plastics exceeds 350 million tons per year, with the Asia-Pacific region producing more than half. Europe and the United States each account for 15 percent, and the Middle East accounts for 12 percent.
• Decarbonization of the plastics sector can be achieved through increased renewable energy supply and the adoption of heat electrification technologies, such as electric crackers, which are being researched by companies including Dow, Shell, BASF, SABIC, and Linde.
• Plastic end-of-life emissions can add 16 million metric tons of CO2e annually. Disposal methods vary in impact: 40 percent of waste goes to landfills, 25 percent is incinerated (the highest carbon emission method), and 16 percent is mechanically recycled.
• RMI is working with stakeholders to develop product-level carbon accounting guidance for plastics because the current landscape lacks full supply chain guidance, which is necessary for producers to verify and communicate emissions reductions.

APA

RMI (2023). Clean Energy 101: Reducing Climate Pollution from the Plastics Industry. https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-reducing-climate-pollution-from-the-plastics-industry/

Chicago

RMI. Clean Energy 101: Reducing Climate Pollution from the Plastics Industry. 2023. https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-reducing-climate-pollution-from-the-plastics-industry/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Clean Energy 101: Reducing Climate Pollution from the Plastics Industry |date=21 February 2023 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-reducing-climate-pollution-from-the-plastics-industry/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2023clean, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Clean Energy 101: Reducing Climate Pollution from the Plastics Industry}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2023}, month = feb, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-reducing-climate-pollution-from-the-plastics-industry/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }