In just 20 years, the production of plastic in the world has doubled, reaching 460 million tons. China is responsible for 20% of this manufacturing, followed by the United States (18%), and the European Union (15%). It is found in car spare parts, polyester clothing, or toys. However, it is the packaging industry that is the most productive, with 158 million tonnes of plastic per year. Next comes the construction sector (71 million tonnes), then the textile sector (62 million tonnes).
The rich countries, the biggest consumers
These products have a very short shelf life. Between its production and the moment it ends up in the trash, it takes an average of six months for packaging, three years for everyday consumer goods, five years for clothing, eight years for household appliances, and 35 years for building materials. Rich countries are the biggest consumers of plastic: tons of waste, which must then be treated. “A lot of plastics are not recyclable, we don’t know what to do with them, so we send them to the other side of the world, so that they leave them in landfills”explains Juliette Franquet, director of Zero Waste France.