In an alarming revelation, the world has marked its first-ever ‘Plastic Overshoot Day’ on July 28th, 2023. This day signifies the point where our global capacity to manage plastic waste is surpassed by the amount of plastic we produce. The ramifications of this imbalance are profound, affecting marine life, ecosystems, and human health.
The Gravity of the Situation
According to recent data from Plasteax, a plastic waste management data platform, and the Swiss-based association Environmental Action, humans have reached a point where they can no longer effectively manage the annual plastic waste produced globally. With the production of short-life plastic anticipated to touch 159 million tonnes this year, our international capabilities to manage plastics without leakage will fall short for the remainder of the year. This translates to a staggering 68.5 million tonnes of short-life plastic being mismanaged worldwide in 2023 alone.
The Evolution of Plastic Overshoot Day
While 2023 marks the first global announcement of Plastic Overshoot Day, this concept isn’t entirely new. In previous years, individual countries calculated their respective Plastic Overshoot Days. However, the global announcement aims to amplify the urgency of the worldwide plastic crisis.
Earth Action, an environmental advocacy network, has highlighted that plastic production has surged 20 times faster than our recycling capabilities in the past decade. If this trend persists, we can expect plastic production to triple by 2060.
A Call to Action
Julien Boucher, the founder and CEO of Earth Action, emphasized the significance of July 28th, calling it a “pivotal moment in the global plastic waste crisis.” He urged global governments and corporations to adopt sustainable production practices. Boucher’s poignant question resonates with many: “If we can measure and report our carbon footprints, why can’t we do the same for plastic?”
The Culprits
In a concerning revelation, British marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), identified Coca-Cola as the UK’s top plastic polluter for the fourth consecutive year in July 2023.
The Ecological Impact
The Plastic Overshoot Day report, accessible online, forecasts that mismanaged plastic waste in 2023 will release approximately 420,000 tonnes of chemical additives into waterways. This will further intensify the ecological repercussions of plastic pollution. The report also states that global plastic production has grown 20 times faster than our recycling capacity in the past decade.
Furthermore, a study in March revealed a staggering 171 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the world’s oceans, a significant increase from the 16 trillion pieces estimated in 2005. Preliminary results from the 2023 edition of The Ocean Race detected microplastics in all 40 samples analyzed, with concentrations reaching up to 1,884 microplastics per cubic meter of water in certain areas.
The Disproportionate Impact
The plastic waste crisis has a skewed impact, with countries in the Global South bearing a disproportionate burden. Termed as “waste sponges” by Earth Action, these nations experience high levels of plastic pollution from imports despite their low plastic consumption. In 2023, these “waste sponge” countries will account for 66.86 days of the total 157 days of projected plastic overshoot.
The inception of ‘Plastic Overshoot Day’ is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the global plastic crisis. As the world grapples with this challenge, collective action, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions are imperative. The time to act is now, lest we drown in the very plastic we produce.
