The problem with plastic materials is that many of them last forever. While some types are considered biodegradable, many require industrial-level processes to be recycled or broken down to harmless materials. Plastics are very useful for many industries. For example, up to a fourth of all packaging used globally are made of plastic. Plastic packaging helps food stay fresher, longer. Plastic containers also weigh less, contributing to fuel and transportation savings. Despite their usefulness, plastics are a serious problem. In a 2018 National Geographic article, the estimated amount of plastics used since the 1950s is estimated to be around 9.2 billion tons. Seventy-five percent of that — or some 6.9 billion tons — are already plastic waste material. Even worse, sixty-eight percent, or 6.3 billion tons, escaped into the environment, never making it to a waste basket or bin — let alone a proper waste disposal facility.

Angara, S. (2019, September 13). Addressing the plastic problem. Panay News, pp. 10, 14.