ET Online
Dec 2, 2021
The US is the world's leading producer of plastic waste, twice as much as China, says a report.
Image Source: istock
It produces over 42 million metric tons of plastic waste a year, which is about 130 kgs per person.
Image Source: istock
Overall, the US generates more plastic waste than all countries of the European Union combined.
Image Source: istock
Low-cost, multifunctional plastics is what mostly causes this deluge of plastic debris across the world.
Image Source: istock
The US report says 8 MMT of plastic waste enters the world annually, most of it ends up in oceans.
Image Source: istock
A thousand species of marine life are susceptible to plastic entanglement or to ingesting microplastics.
Image Source: istock
These dangerous microplastics then make their way through the food web back to humans.
Image Source: istock
The report, mandated by Congress, is called "Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste."
Image Source: istock
Cap on production of virgin plastic, use of biodegradable varieties and improving waste management.
Image Source: istock
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