Pile of plastic bottles

The hidden cost of convenience: who pays for our single-use plastic addiction?

Written by

Audrey Trinidad

on

6 minutes to read

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash 

Did you know that humans produce approximately 300 million tons of plastic annually, with 50% designed for single use?1  This means every plastic fork, straw, and wrapper we casually toss away contributes to a growing environmental crisis. Single-use plastics are everywhere—convenient, cheap, and seemingly harmless. But their true cost is far from invisible. While they can simplify our routines, the hidden costs associated with their production, use, and disposal are staggering, affecting the environment, economy, and public health. 

Let’s explore why single-use plastic dominates our society, its hidden costs, and how you can take action to reduce plastic waste.

Why are single-use plastics so prevalent?

Single-use plastics are designed for one-time use before disposal. They include items like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles, and most food packaging. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, approximately 36% of all plastics produced are used in packaging, including single-use plastic products for food and beverage containers, with about 85% ending up in landfills or as unregulated waste.2

Since their mass production began in the mid-20th century, plastics have infiltrated nearly every aspect of human life. Here’s why they’re everywhere:

  • Affordability: Plastic is inexpensive to produce, making it the go-to material for packaging and disposable items.
  • Convenience: Lightweight and versatile, single-use plastics cater to our fast-paced lifestyles and encourage a throwaway culture
  • Global Demand: Industries such as food, healthcare, and e-commerce depend on plastics for hygiene, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

But the very qualities that make plastic appealing—its durability and resistance to decay—are also its greatest flaws.

Fish sliced open filled with plastic debris
Photo by Innay on Unsplash

The environmental impact of plastics

Plastics are designed to resist natural decay and recycling processes are limited. Whether as whole objects, microplastics, or chemical residues, nearly all the plastic ever produced still exists in one form or another. This longevity is why reducing plastic production and use is so critical for minimizing long-term environmental impact. 

1. Ocean pollution

Each year, between 8 to 11 million tons of plastic waste enters the oceans, choking marine ecosystems.3 Plastic debris harms over 800 species of marine life, from sea turtles to seabirds.4 Microplastics, formed when larger plastics degrade, are now found in seafood and even drinking water.

2. Landfill overflow

Globally, only 9% of all plastic waste has ever been recycled.5 The rest accumulates in landfills, taking up to 500 years to decompose. As plastic breaks down, it releases toxic chemicals into the soil and groundwater.

3. Climate change

Plastic production and incineration release significant greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. In fact, by 2050, plastics could account for 13% of the global carbon budget if current trends continue.6

The health costs of single-use plastics

Single-use plastics don’t just harm the planet—they pose risks to human health too.

  • Chemical exposure: Plastics contain harmful chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates, which can leach into food and beverages. These disrupt hormones and are linked to health issues such as infertility, obesity, and cancer.7 

Microplastics in our bodies: Recent studies have found microplastics  in almost every part of the human body, including in breast milk, the placenta, testicles, hearts, livers, and kidneys.8 Although the full effects are still under research, the presence of plastic in our bodies raises serious concerns about long-term health implications.

Economic costs: who really pays?

The true cost of single-use plastics extends beyond the price tag.

  • Taxpayer burden: Governments, NGOs, and concerned citizens spend billions annually undertaking clean-up activities to remove waste, as high as US$15 billion per year.9
  • Impact on industries: Marine plastic pollution affects the global fishing and tourism industries. 

Hidden corporate savings: While corporations profit from cheap plastic packaging, consumers and communities bear the environmental and health costs.

Alternatives to single-use plastics

The good news? You don’t have to rely on single-use plastics. Transitioning to sustainable alternatives is easier than you think.

1. Switch to reusable products

Invest in reusable bags, stainless steel straws, glass containers, and bamboo utensils. Not only are these eco-friendly, but they also save money in the long run.

2. Explore biodegradable options

Compostable products made from cornstarch, seaweed, or mushrooms are gaining traction as replacements for plastic packaging.

3. Support plastic recycling

Ensure your community has access to robust recycling programs. Advocate for extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies, which hold manufacturers accountable for the lifecycle of their products.

4. Participate in circular economy initiatives

Plastic Bank is redefining recycling by creating systems where gathered plastic waste can be exchanged for income and access to social benefits by underserved communities. Support brands that prioritize environmental and social impact while contributing to the circular economy.

How policies are driving change

Governments worldwide are stepping up to tackle the plastic problem:

  • Plastic bag bans: Over 90 countries have implemented bans or levies on plastic bags.
  • EU’s single-use plastic directive: This legislation prohibits items like plastic cutlery and straws across Europe.10
  • Corporate pledges: Major companies like Unilever and Coca-Cola have committed to reducing their plastic footprints by incorporating recycled materials 

As consumers, we can amplify these efforts by supporting policies and companies that prioritize sustainability.

Top tips for reducing plastic waste

To make an impact, start small and build sustainable habits:

  1. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it instead of buying bottled water.
  2. Say no to plastic straws and opt for metal or silicone alternatives.
  3. Choose package-free shopping for groceries like fruits, vegetables, and grains.
  4. Ditch single-use coffee cups—many cafes offer discounts for bringing your own mug. Alternatively, if you are consuming at the cafe, ask your barista to serve in a reusable ceramic or porcelain mug.

Educate others about the environmental degradation from plastics and inspire them to take action. Use a  Plastic Footprint Calculator to determine your plastic footprint and make conscious choices to minimize it.

Take action today

The hidden costs of single-use plastics are far-reaching, affecting the environment, economy, and our health. But we hold the power to drive change. By adopting sustainable practices and embracing alternatives to single-use plastics, we can reduce plastic waste and help communities in vulnerable coastal areas find a path out of poverty.Ready to make a difference? Visit Plastic Bank to learn how you can get involved. Every small action adds up to big change.Together, we can break free from single-use plastic.

  1. “Plastics Crisis in our Oceans,” Rachel Carson Council, https://rachelcarsoncouncil.org/plastics-crisis-in-our-oceans/
  2. “Our Planet is Choking on Plastic,” United Nations Environment Programme, https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/
  3. Allan T. Williams, Nelson Rangel-Buitrago, “The Past, Present, and Future of Plastic Pollution,” Marine Pollution Bulletin Volume 176, March 2022, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X22001114
  4. S.C. Gall, R.C. Thompson,”The impact of debris on marine life,” Marine Pollution Bulletin Volume 92 Issues 1-2, March 2015, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25680883/
  5. “Plastic Waste Management | Plastic and the Environment Series,” Geneva Environment Network, October 22, 2024, https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastic-waste-management/
  6. “Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet,” Center for International Environmental Law, www.ciel.org/plasticandclimate
  7. Chun Z Yang et.al, “Most Plastic Products Release Estrogenic Chemicals: A Potential Health Problem That Can Be Solved,” Environmental Health Perspectives, March 2, 2011, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3222987/
  8. Bridget Balch, “Microplastics are inside us all. What does that mean for our health?” AAMC, June 27, 2024, https://www.aamc.org/news/microplastics-are-inside-us-all-what-does-mean-our-health
  9. “The Hidden Cost of Plastic,” WWF, September 13, 2021, https://www.wwfdrc.org/en/?36252/The-hidden-cost-of-plastic
  10. “Single-use plastics,” European Commission, July 2, 2019,  https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/single-use-plastics_en

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