recycling in Rhode ISland

Plastic Paradox: United States Takes Center Stage as Largest Producer of Plastic Waste

The United States is the biggest producer of plastic waste

On average, each American generates 300 pounds of plastic waste per year. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report calls for developing a U.S. strategy to address this influx of plastic waste.

The United States is by far the single largest contributor to plastic pollution in the world, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, released Wednesday.

In total, the United States generated around 42 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2016 – more than double that of China and more than European Union countries combined, according to this analysis. The United States represents less than 5% of the world’s population.

On average, each American generates 130 kilos of plastic waste per year, the second position going to the United Kingdom, with 98 kilos per year per person. In France, the average is 43 kilos.

Waste that ends up in the oceans

The success of the miraculous invention of plastic in the 20th century has also produced a global deluge of plastic waste everywhere we look, wrote Margaret Spring, chair of the expert panel that wrote this report, commissioned by the American Congress. She called the problem an environmental and social crisis.

At least 8.8 million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the ocean each year worldwide, the equivalent of one garbage truck being dumped into the sea every minute, according to the report. All plastics, including discarded on land, are likely to end up in the ocean, via rivers for example.

Rhode Island lags behind in the management of single-use plastics

At the current rate, the amount of plastic poured into the ocean could reach 53 million tonnes per year in 2030, or half of the total weight of fish caught in the ocean annually. Scientific research has shown that hundreds of species are likely to get caught in plastic waste or ingest microplastics, due to this waste management issue.

A damning report about poor waste management

If the production of plastic has exploded, especially since the 1980s, the development of recycling has not followed. The report recommends developing a national strategy in the United States by the end of 2023. It details several axes to tackle the problem, for example by establishing a limit for the production of non-recycled plastic, by capturing better the plastic in the environment, or pushing the development of substitutes.

It also recommends better collecting data on the generation of plastic, for example by identifying the biggest sources of waste and trying to reach zero waste. This is the most comprehensive and damning report on plastic pollution ever published, reacted Judith Enk, president of the association Beyond Plastics.

We can no longer ignore the role of the United States in the plastic pollution crisis, one of the greatest environmental threats facing our oceans and our planet today, also reacted Christy Leavitt, director of the campaign on plastics within the NGO Oceana.

The cost of renting a dumpster in Providence, RI

Renting a dumpster can help discard plastic junk in large quantity, by gathering in one container and then sending all of it to the nearest recycling facility in Providence.

The cost of renting a dumpster in Providence, RI, can vary based on several factors. These factors include the size of the dumpster, the duration of the rental, the type of waste you need to dispose of, and the specific dumpster rental company you choose.

For a standard 10 to 15 cubic yard dumpster, you might expect to pay around $250 to $450 for a week-long rental in Providence. If you require a larger dumpster, such as a 20 to 30 cubic yard option, the cost could range from $350 to $600 or more for the same rental period.

It’s important to note that there could be additional charges if you exceed weight limits, need to extend the rental duration, or have specific waste disposal requirements.

To get an accurate estimate, it’s recommended to request quotes from multiple dumpster rental providers in Providence. Reading customer reviews can also help you gauge the reliability and transparency of the rental companies, ensuring you choose a reputable one that offers fair pricing and dependable service.

According to this website, the cost of renting a dumpster in Providence varies based on factors like dumpster size, rental duration, waste type, and the chosen rental company. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars for smaller dumpsters to several hundred dollars for larger ones. Careful research and comparison are crucial to finding a cost-effective dumpster rental solution that meets your specific needs.