The Impacts of Plastic Production
The burning and use of petroleum products are driving the climate crisis and our obsession in plastic is contributing to the problem
Plastic is Petroleum and contributes to Climate Change
Our obsession with plastic is making the world warmer!
The production of virgin plastic pellets begins with the extraction of raw natural gas and oil. ​​
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Emissions from fossil fuel extraction and production attributed to plastic production were at least 9.5–10.5 million Mtons of CO2e per year in 2015 and have only increased since then.
The GHG emissions of plastic create an indirect impact on communities experiencing the impacts of climate change.
Plastic Production creates Sacrifice Zones
Plastic production directly and negatively impacts residents near refineries
The Plastic refining process creates a direct impact on surrounding communities, often turning them into “sacrifice zones.”
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Sacrifice zones are communities – usually low-income families and people of color – that live in proximity to polluting industries
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Refineries and petrochemical plants have long been associated with a specific type of sacrifice zone called, “cancer alleys” like St. Gabriel , Louisana
Plastic Production Negatively Impacts us All!
From pollution associated with oil and gas extraction to climate change to turning entire communities into sacrifice zones, plastic production is poisoning our world.