The Plastic Production Problem 

By Julie Borgerding July

In part two of her series on plastics, Julie Borgerding July dives into the issues surrounding plastic production in the U.S.

For all the plastic we use and throw, whether we try to recycle or not, there is a bigger problem that we don’t even see unless we live next to it – plastic manufacturing plants. 

There are three major problems with the process before the raw materials even even get to plastic: 

1. Airborne gasses are released when fossil fuels, from which plastic is made, are extracted 
2. Toxins are released when that fuel is turned into ethylene
3. More toxic gasses are produced in the manufacturing of plastics from ethylene 

In 2019, just five years ago, pollution from conversion of fossil fuels and production of plastic accounted for 90% of the 3.4% of global emissions caused by plastics in their lifecycle.

The fracking process to extract natural gas releases methane, a major cause of heat trapping in the earth’s atmosphere, airborne hydrocarbons and ground level ozone that causes respiratory illnesses. Ozone has been explained as a sunburn to our lungs. In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported 12.5 metric tons of greenhouse gasses released every year from extraction and transport of plastic producing fossil fuels. Reports by the EPA on water pollution are not complete because companies have not submitted data over the years. 

In the next step, extensive and expensive ethane cracker plants spew toxic chemicals to air and water in the surrounding communities as it cracks ethane to make ethylene for the almost sole purpose of making plastic (the gas is also used in ripening fruits, vegetables and flowers). In so doing, the air pollution released can contribute to health problems in neighboring communities: asthma, lung cancer, brain and organ damage, vomiting, diarrhea and cardiovascular diseases. 

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, fossil fuels from fracking have accelerated plastic production, with new plastic manufacturing plants starting up in many places near fracking sites. There was a 70% increase in plastic production from 2010 to 2020, with 300 more petrochemical facilities underway in the U.S. In 2015, 24 ethylene facilities in the U.S. produced the emissions equivalent of 3.8 million cars. 

Limited (due to lack of reporting by plants) EPA data shows plastic production contributes 14% of total toxic air pollution. Most plastic plants are built in areas that also house people who need jobs and are least likely to oppose the sites. Thus, these people suffer the most health problems from the air and water pollution. We in the West End of St. Paul are lucky we do not live next to one of these facilities.

What can we do? All this pollution before plastic is even made can possibly be prevented by demanding less. A few simples things you could do as a consumer include encouraging your favorite grocery store to sell products with less plastic packaging and to use less in their fresh packaging and produce. Although it is handy, we can do without it.  You can already see changes in some stores. 

Additionally, contacting companies whose products come with unnecessary plastic packaging and suggest paper and paperboard. They often write back about what they are doing. I often write back again and challenge them further!