The use of plastic significantly contributes to carbon emissions throughout its lifecycle, primarily due to its reliance on fossil fuels in production and often unsustainable waste management practices. Plastic production requires a large amount of energy, from raw material extraction to manufacturing processes, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Additionally, plastic waste management, such as incineration or disposal in landfills, can also generate carbon emissions and other pollutants, further exacerbating its impact on the environment and climate change.
Carbon Emissions from Plastic Production
Plastic production is highly dependent on fossil fuels, which are used both as raw materials and as energy sources in the manufacturing process. Most plastics today are derived from petroleum and natural gas, which undergo various industrial processes before becoming final products.
During production, petroleum and natural gas are refined and cracked to produce ethylene, propylene, butadiene, and other chemical compounds, which serve as the building blocks for various types of plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In other words, large-scale plastic production would not be possible without petroleum and natural gas.
In 2015, plastic production generated 2 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent, accounting for approximately 4.5% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, with 96% of these emissions coming from coal combustion in the manufacturing process. Since 1995, emissions from coal-based plastic production have quadrupled, and coal now contributes to nearly half of the carbon footprint of plastics, significantly impacting climate change.
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If reliance on fossil fuels continues, emissions from plastic production are projected to reach 1.34 billion tons of CO₂ by 2030, further worsening the climate crisis and raising global temperatures. Beyond production, plastic transportation also contributes to carbon emissions.
Plastics and their derivatives must be shipped from factories to distributors, then to retailers and consumers. Each stage of transportation requires fossil fuels, adding to the total greenhouse gas emissions.
To mitigate these impacts, serious measures are needed, such as adopting renewable energy in manufacturing, improving production efficiency, and promoting the use of recycled plastics and environmentally friendly alternative materials. Without efforts to reduce emissions, the plastic industry will continue to be a major contributor to greenhouse gases, accelerating climate change.
Carbon Emissions from Plastic Waste Management
Although the final stage of the plastic lifecycle, including recycling, incineration, and disposal in landfills, contributes only about 6% of total carbon emissions, it still has a significant environmental impact. One of the most carbon-intensive waste management methods is incineration, which is used to reduce plastic waste volume by burning it.
This process generates approximately 161 million tons of CO₂ equivalent per year, making it a significant source of emissions. While incineration helps reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in oceans or landfills, it also poses an environmental dilemma as it releases greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.
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Additionally, plastic waste that is dumped in landfills or the open environment can release carbon into the environment through degradation processes. Over time, plastic breaks down into microplastics and releases small amounts of organic carbon, although its impact remains relatively minor compared to the emissions from fossil fuel combustion during plastic production.
The accumulation of plastic in the environment remains a serious issue, not only contributing to soil and water pollution but also disrupting ecosystems in the long run. Therefore, more sustainable waste management strategies are needed, such as advancing recycling technologies and reducing reliance on incineration and landfills.
Every piece of plastic we use contributes to carbon emissions, from production to disposal. If your business wants to strategically manage this impact, consult an expert to find the right solution. Discuss your needs today and find concrete steps in offsetting and reducing emissions projects.
Author: Dherika, Editor: Sabilla
References:
Cabernard, L., Pfister, S., Oberschelp, C. et al. (2022). Growing Environmental Footprint of Plastics Driven by Coal Combustion. Nat Sustain, 5, 139–148. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00807-2.
Kalkulator Jejak Karbon. (2024). Emissions from Plastic Production. Retrieved from https://mycarbonfootprint.id/news/309/emisi-dari-produksi-plastik (Accessed: March 8th, 2025).
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Natalia S. Gurgacz, Karin Kvale, Michael Eby, & Andrew J. Weaver. (2023). Impact of Plastic Pollution on Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. FACETS, 8, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2023-0061.
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