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So, the US Department of State has came up with this interesting "fact sheet", China's Environmental Abuses Fact Sheet. https://www.state.gov/chinas-environmental-abuses-fact-sheet/
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So, the US Department of State has came up with this interesting "fact sheet", China's Environmental Abuses Fact Sheet. https://www.state.gov/chinas-environmental-abuses-fact-sheet/
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I want to focus on just one part of the claims made...
![[2/14]I want to focus on just one part of the claims made...](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ejj-y-RU0AABsw9.jpg "[2/14]I want to focus on just one part of the claims made...")
I want to focus on just one part of the claims made...
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While it is true that China is responsible for 30 percent of the world's plastic production, let's not forget that China is also the top manufacturer for the world, accounting for 20 percent of the world's manufacturing output.
While it is true that China is responsible for 30 percent of the world's plastic production, let's not forget that China is also the top manufacturer for the world, accounting for 20 percent of the world's manufacturing output.
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But it gets more interesting when you look at per capita output of plastic. China's per capita output of plastic is ~ 77 kg. OTOH, Japan, which produced only 4 percent of the world's plastic has a per capita share of 114 kg.
But it gets more interesting when you look at per capita output of plastic. China's per capita output of plastic is ~ 77 kg. OTOH, Japan, which produced only 4 percent of the world's plastic has a per capita share of 114 kg.
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NAFTA countries which produced only 18 percent of the world's plastic, but has the equivalent of 132 kg per capita in 2018 (the most plastic per capita), followed by Japan, Europe (111 kg/capita), China and the rest of Asia.
NAFTA countries which produced only 18 percent of the world's plastic, but has the equivalent of 132 kg per capita in 2018 (the most plastic per capita), followed by Japan, Europe (111 kg/capita), China and the rest of Asia.
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Japan is also the country with the most plastic packaging waste per capita in the world behind the US, according to UN.
Supermarkets in developed nations heavily use plastic, with many individually wrapped items and ready-to-go meals in single-use packaging.
Japan is also the country with the most plastic packaging waste per capita in the world behind the US, according to UN.
Supermarkets in developed nations heavily use plastic, with many individually wrapped items and ready-to-go meals in single-use packaging.
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For so long, China has acted as the recycling center for the world's plastic waste but in early 2018, China made the decision to ban the imports of plastic scraps.
For so long, China has acted as the recycling center for the world's plastic waste but in early 2018, China made the decision to ban the imports of plastic scraps.
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From 1988 to 2016, China helped the world to process 171 million metric tons of plastic waste, that's 72% of all imported plastic waste over this time period.
From 1988 to 2016, China helped the world to process 171 million metric tons of plastic waste, that's 72% of all imported plastic waste over this time period.
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Where did all this plastic waste come from? The four biggest exporters of plastic waste are Germany, UK, US and Japan.
The top four exporters accounted for around 50 percent of global plastic waste exports in 2018.
Where did all this plastic waste come from? The four biggest exporters of plastic waste are Germany, UK, US and Japan.
The top four exporters accounted for around 50 percent of global plastic waste exports in 2018.
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After China's decision to ban imports of plastic scraps, Malaysia emerged as a new major hub for plastic waste imports. The big 4 shipped a total of approximately 650,000 tons to the Southeast Asian state that is only 330,000 square kilometers in size.
After China's decision to ban imports of plastic scraps, Malaysia emerged as a new major hub for plastic waste imports. The big 4 shipped a total of approximately 650,000 tons to the Southeast Asian state that is only 330,000 square kilometers in size.
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https://www.statista.com/chart/22959/metric-tonnes-of-plastic-packaging-produced-annually/
Based on the article, the world's worst offenders of plastic pollution are 8 corporations, 5 of which are American.
Report has shown how the industry in US has managed to shift the blame for plastic waste on to consumers and the authorities.
https://www.statista.com/chart/22959/metric-tonnes-of-plastic-packaging-produced-annually/
Based on the article, the world's worst offenders of plastic pollution are 8 corporations, 5 of which are American.
Report has shown how the industry in US has managed to shift the blame for plastic waste on to consumers and the authorities.
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In Europe, the industry has been trying to weaken & delay the EU Plastics Strategy and the EU SUP Directive. However, it is interesting to note that China HAS made major policy moves but was undermined by low corporate action.
In Europe, the industry has been trying to weaken & delay the EU Plastics Strategy and the EU SUP Directive. However, it is interesting to note that China HAS made major policy moves but was undermined by low corporate action.
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It should be obvious by now that the responsibility for plastic waste management should not fall on the shoulders of any individual nation but on the corporations that produce such wastes.
It should be obvious by now that the responsibility for plastic waste management should not fall on the shoulders of any individual nation but on the corporations that produce such wastes.
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It is highly disappointing that the US State Department cannot even grasp the core of such an important issue.
It is highly disappointing that the US State Department cannot even grasp the core of such an important issue.
