The Top 7 Plastic-Producing Industries
As we look to eliminate plastic waste, it’s important to understand where it is all coming from. The plastic issue simply won’t be resolved without substitution and behavioral shifts on the part of consumers at the point of use, so it pays to have a clear sense of what those use cases are.
Below is our list of the seven industries that produce the largest amount of plastic waste, which can give us a clearer picture of how plastic is being utilized.
1. Packaging Industry
Estimated Contribution: 45-50% of global plastic waste
Sources:
Single-use plastics for food, beverages, and consumer goods
E-commerce shipping materials like bubble wrap and plastic mailers
Wrappers and containers for industrial and retail products (bags, bottles, and food containers)
Pill bottles and pharmaceutical containers
Trends:
Despite growing consumer awareness, the demand for lightweight, cost-effective packaging continues to drive plastic use
Companies are shifting toward sustainable alternatives (bioplastics, reusable packaging), though adoption is still limited
Some water bottle companies like Dasani are pivoting to metal containers
2. Fashion and Textile Industry
Estimated Contribution: 10-15% of global plastic waste
Sources:
Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic used in clothing
Packaging and hangtags for retail products
Trends:
The fashion industry is increasingly adopting sustainable practices, focusing on reducing reliance on synthetic, fossil-fuel-based fibers. Brands are exploring bio-based materials and innovative textiles to minimize environmental impacts. One such example is TomTex which is creating a vegan leather alternative using chitosan from seafood waste and mushrooms
Other brands are making clothing out of seaweed, banana skins, discarded husks and milk
Recognizing the significant contribution of synthetic textiles to microplastic pollution, the fashion industry is under pressure to establish standards to mitigate this issue
3. Consumer Products Industry
Estimated Contribution: 10-15% of global plastic waste
Sources:
Toys, electronics, and home goods made with durable plastics
Single-use products like razors, toothbrushes, and hygiene products
Trends:
There's a significant shift towards durable and reusable products to reduce single-use plastic waste (i.e., metal safety razors, bamboo toothbrushes, bar sopas, etc.)
Consumers and manufacturers are embracing zero-waste products made from sustainable materials
4. Automotive & Transportation Industry
Estimated Contribution: 4-6% of global plastic waste
Sources:
Vehicle interiors, components, and body panels
Plastic used in spare parts and accessories, engine oil canisters, and other ancillary products associated with the automotive industry
Trends:
Automakers like BMW are developing programs to recycle vehicles at the end of their life cycles, recovering valuable materials and reducing waste
While this appears to be a lithium-battery-focused trend, it perhaps constitutes a precedent for what could be done to repurpose other materials within used vehicles being scrapped
5. Building & Construction Industry
Estimated Contribution: 3-5% of global plastic waste
Sources:
PVC pipes used for plumbing and electrical work
HDPE pipes used for water and gas supply systems
Thermal insulation materials like expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foam
Plastic sheets and films such as polyethylene and polypropylene sheets used for protective coverings
Synthetic flooring materials like laminate
Window frames and doors
Roofing materials such as thermoplastic polyolefin waterproof membranes
Trends:
Use of recycled PVC and HDPE in new construction products
Shift to bio-based plastics or non-plastic alternatives like wood, metal, or glass in some applications
Modular and prefabricated construction reduces waste by optimizing material use
6. Electronics Industry
Estimated Contribution: 2-4% of global plastic waste.
Sources:
Plastic casings and housings used for the outside of devices like laptops, TVs, and gaming consoles
Polycarbonate screens and other components to enhance impact resistance
Other components such as cables and wires and internal hardware
Accessories such as mouses, remote controls, etc.
Trends:
Encouraging proper e-waste disposal and participation in take-back programs
Growing mass of e-waste from ever-accelerating technological advancement is sparking discussion over responsible end-of-life
Discussion around extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies, which require manufacturers to manage the lifecycle of their products
7. Healthcare Industry
Estimated Contribution: 2-4% of global plastic waste
Sources:
Single-use medical equipment (e.g., syringes, IV bags, surgical equipment)
Bio-hazardous nature of waste can add complexity to waste management efforts
Sanitation assurance and personal protective equipment (e.g., surgical masks, gowns, haircaps, gloves, etc.)
Thin and lightweight plastics make recycling difficult and economically unviable
Laboratory supplies such as polystyrene petri dishes, pipette tips, sample trays, test, etc.
Trends:
Discussion around improving waste segregation and recycling in healthcare settings
By understanding the nuances and relative prominence of each plastic use case, we can direct our substitution efforts and behavioral interventions towards the areas that matter most.
Sources: NY Mag, VOGUE, the Verge, Spinger, Plastics Engineering, EWCRA
