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Plastic Consumption

Jacob Levine. Plastic Consumption. Background. There are many types of plastic Low-density polyethylene (LDPE ) – commonly used in milk cartons, plastic bags, containers, computer hardware, corrosion resistant work surfaces

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Plastic Consumption

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  1. Jacob Levine Plastic Consumption

  2. Background • There are many types of plastic • Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) – commonly used in milk cartons, plastic bags, containers, computer hardware, corrosion resistant work surfaces • 2 kg of oil (raw material and energy) is required to make 1 kg of LDPE • According to Data from the World Bank • In United States 2.5 kg of CO2 are produced per kg of oil burned 2 kg of oil/kg of LDPE x 2.5 kg of CO2 = 5kg of CO2/kg of LDPE

  3. Plastics Industry • Manufacturing makes up 13% of United States total GDP • The Plastic industry the 3rd largest in the manufacturing sector • ~ $373,000,000,000 Industry • According to the American Chemistry Association: • 33991758615 kgs of Plastic were produced in 2012 • 33991758615kg of plastic x 5kg CO2/kg of plastic = 1.7x1011 kg of CO2 per year

  4. Cont’d • Based on density of oil, 1 gallon of oil weighs ~2.498kg • 33991758615 kgs of Plastic x 2.5 kg of oil = 8.5x1010 kg of oil used • 8.5x1010kg of oil used/2.498kg per gallon = 3.4x1010 gallons of oil used in production of plastic in 2012 • 107.19 kg of plastic per capita per year • 5.14 Kg of CO2 per capita per week • 267.28 kg of CO2 per capita per year

  5. Personal Consumption • Step 1: Count amount of plastic bought at Trader Joe’s every week • Took 4 week average • Majority are flimsy plastic bags (LDPE) • ~30 “plastic bags per week” • Step 2: Estimate weight of Plastic waste • Mean plastic bag is 5.5 grams • 30bags x 5.5 grams – 165g = .165kg • Step 3: Estimate CO2 Emissions • 5 kg CO2/kg Plastic x .165kg plastic = .825 kg CO2 per week • 42.9 kg CO2 per year

  6. Step 3 cont’d: 42.9 kg CO2 per year • There are 6.24 Kg of CO2 released per gallon of oil burned • Therefore: 42.9/6.24 = • 6.875 gallons of oil burned per year due to personal consumption

  7. Ways to Reduce Emissions • Plastic Bag Bans • In 2008 China banned the use of flimsy plastic bags nationwide • Plastic bag tax • Many cities, states and countries have implemented taxes for using plastic bags. • PA, DC, San Francisco • If tax is high enough to alter the opportunity cost of BYOB (bring your own bag) • Stores will pay customers to return plastic bags to be reused

  8. Ways to Reduce Emissions • Recycling • According to the EPA 2011 only 8% of total plastic waste generated was recovered for recycling • New technological advances with widespread implementation • Novomer Plastic • Reduces amount of oil used in production of plastic by 50% • Cost competitive without subsidies • Personally, I can choose not to use plastic bags to hold individual pieces of fruit and vegetables

  9. References • http://www.designinsite.dk/htmsider/m0003.htm • http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.ATM.CO2E.EG.ZS • http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/0/33469eb37225f1f8ca256ecf00077479/$FILE/05-04.pdf • http://www.plasticsindustry.org/economicstats • http://www.americanchemistry.com/Jobs/EconomicStatistics/Plastics-Statistics/Total-Sales-Captive-Use-by-Major-Market.pdf • http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/plastics.htm • http://www.novomer.com/ • http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/331na5.pdf • http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/downloads/r99fina.pdf

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