The production of plastic is reliant on fossil fuels. More than 99% of plastics are being produced from non-renewable resources, such as crude oil and natural gas. In fact, by 2050, the plastic industry could account for around 20% of the world’s total oil consumption. This is dangerous for the environment because fossil fuels emit toxic greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to the rise in global warming and climate change.
In addition, the volume of plastics consumed has created substantial waste management issues with unsustainable levels of plastic accruing in landfill and in the natural environment. Plastic buried in landfill can leach toxic chemicals and hormone disrupters which can seep into groundwater and our local ecosystems.