GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Us Plastic Production Statistics [Fresh Research]

Highlights: Us Plastic Production Statistics

  • The United States produced approximately 116 billion pounds of plastic in 2020.
  • Over 50% of the plastic produced in the US is used for packaging purposes.
  • In 2019, about 76% of plastic waste in the U.S. ended up in landfills.
  • The US plastic industry had a $432.6 billion sales revenue in 2019.
  • In 2018, the United States generated 35.7 million tons of plastic waste.
  • In 2020, the United States produced 34.34 million metric tons of plastic resins.
  • As of 2019, there are more than 10,000 U.S. companies involved in the plastics industry.
  • In 2017, the United States exported 15.4 million metric tons of plastic products.
  • The US accounts for around 19% of the global plastic production market share.
  • Approximately 8.7% of the total plastics produced in the United States are recycled.
  • In 2019, the plastics processing machinery manufacturing industry in the US was worth 1.84 billion U.S. dollars.
  • In 2020, polyethylene production in the U.S. totaled around 24.4 million metric tons.
  • The plastic film and sheet manufacturing sector in the United States employed about 90,000 people in 2020.
  • The plastic and rubber industry’s revenue in the United States reached approx. $111 billion in 2020.
  • The US is responsible for around 13.9% of total mismanaged plastic waste each year.
  • Only about 9% of the plastic waste generated in the US in 2020 was recycled.
  • In 2020, the U.S. plastic bottle recycling rate was only 28.9%.
  • The estimated demand for plastics machinery in the U.S. is expected to be worth $4.4 billion by 2024.

Table of Contents

Plastic production in the United States has been steadily increasing over the years, with an estimated 116 billion pounds of plastic produced in 2020. Over 50% of this plastic is used for packaging purposes and 76% ends up in landfills each year. The US plastics industry had a sales revenue of $432.6 billion in 2019 and generated 35.7 million tons of plastic waste that same year. In 2020, 34.34 million metric tons of resin were produced while 10,000 companies are involved within the industry itself – 15.4 million metric tons being exported to other countries as well.
The US accounts for 19% market share when it comes to global plastic production and 8.7% is recycled annually; however only 28

The Most Important Statistics
The United States produced approximately 116 billion pounds of plastic in 2020. This statistic is a stark reminder of the sheer magnitude of plastic production in the United States. It serves as a powerful illustration of the scale of the plastic problem and the urgent need for action to reduce plastic production and consumption. Over 50% of the plastic produced in the US is used for packaging purposes. This statistic is a telling indication of the prevalence of plastic packaging in the US. It highlights the need for more sustainable packaging solutions, as well as the potential for reducing plastic waste by reducing the amount of plastic used for packaging. It is an important statistic to consider when discussing US plastic production and its environmental impact.

Us Plastic Production Statistics Overview

In 2019, about 76% of plastic waste in the U.S. ended up in landfills.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the consequences of our plastic production habits. It highlights the fact that despite our best efforts, the majority of plastic waste is still ending up in landfills, where it can take centuries to decompose. This statistic serves as a call to action, urging us to take more drastic measures to reduce our plastic consumption and find more sustainable solutions.

The US plastic industry had a $432.6 billion sales revenue in 2019.

This statistic is a testament to the sheer size and scope of the US plastic industry. It highlights the immense economic impact of the industry, and the importance of its production and sales to the US economy. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of the industry in providing jobs and other economic benefits to the country.

In 2018, the United States generated 35.7 million tons of plastic waste.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the sheer amount of plastic waste the United States is producing. It serves as a call to action for individuals, businesses, and governments to take steps to reduce plastic waste and its environmental impacts.

In 2020, the United States produced 34.34 million metric tons of plastic resins.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the sheer amount of plastic that the United States is producing. It is a sobering reminder of the environmental impact of our plastic production and consumption habits. It is a call to action to reduce our reliance on plastic and to find more sustainable alternatives.

As of 2019, there are more than 10,000 U.S. companies involved in the plastics industry.

This statistic is a testament to the sheer size and scope of the plastics industry in the United States. It speaks to the immense economic impact of the industry, as well as the potential environmental consequences of its production. It is a reminder that the plastics industry is a major player in the US economy and that its effects on the environment should not be taken lightly.

In 2017, the United States exported 15.4 million metric tons of plastic products.

This statistic is a telling indication of the sheer magnitude of plastic production in the United States. It highlights the sheer volume of plastic products that are being exported from the US, and serves as a reminder of the need to reduce plastic production and consumption in order to protect the environment.

The US accounts for around 19% of the global plastic production market share.

This statistic is a telling indication of the US’s role in the global plastic production market. It highlights the US’s significant contribution to the production of plastic, and thus its potential impact on the environment. This statistic is an important reminder of the need for the US to take responsibility for its role in plastic production and to take steps to reduce its environmental footprint.

Approximately 8.7% of the total plastics produced in the United States are recycled.

This statistic is a telling indication of the current state of plastic production in the United States. It highlights the fact that despite the increasing production of plastic, only a small fraction of it is being recycled. This is a concerning figure that should be addressed in order to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.

In 2019, the plastics processing machinery manufacturing industry in the US was worth 1.84 billion U.S. dollars.

This statistic is a telling indication of the importance of the plastics processing machinery manufacturing industry in the US. It highlights the sheer scale of the industry and the economic impact it has on the US economy. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of the industry in terms of providing jobs and contributing to the overall growth of the US economy.

In 2020, polyethylene production in the U.S. totaled around 24.4 million metric tons.

This statistic is a crucial indicator of the state of plastic production in the U.S. It provides a snapshot of the amount of polyethylene being produced in the country, which can be used to gauge the overall health of the industry. It also serves as a benchmark for future production, allowing for comparisons to be made between different years and helping to identify trends in the industry.

The plastic film and sheet manufacturing sector in the United States employed about 90,000 people in 2020.

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the importance of the plastic film and sheet manufacturing sector in the United States. It shows that the sector is a major employer, providing jobs to a significant number of people in 2020. This is an important piece of information for anyone interested in the US plastic production industry, as it demonstrates the sector’s economic impact and its importance to the US economy.

The plastic and rubber industry’s revenue in the United States reached approx. $111 billion in 2020.

This statistic is a testament to the sheer size and scope of the plastic and rubber industry in the United States. It highlights the importance of this sector to the US economy and the impact it has on the lives of millions of Americans. It also serves as a reminder of the need to ensure that the industry is managed responsibly and sustainably in order to protect the environment and the health of the public.

The US is responsible for around 13.9% of total mismanaged plastic waste each year.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the US’s contribution to the global plastic waste crisis. It highlights the need for the US to take responsibility for its part in the problem and to take action to reduce its mismanaged plastic waste. It is a call to action for the US to lead the way in reducing plastic waste and to set an example for other countries to follow.

Only about 9% of the plastic waste generated in the US in 2020 was recycled.

This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the immense amount of plastic waste that is not being recycled in the US. It highlights the urgent need for more effective strategies to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates. It also underscores the importance of reducing plastic production and consumption in order to reduce the amount of plastic waste that is generated in the first place.

In 2020, the U.S. plastic bottle recycling rate was only 28.9%.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the need for more effective plastic bottle recycling initiatives. It highlights the fact that despite the increasing awareness of the environmental impact of plastic production, the U.S. is still lagging behind in terms of recycling rates. This is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed in order to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.

The estimated demand for plastics machinery in the U.S. is expected to be worth $4.4 billion by 2024.

This statistic is a telling indication of the future of plastic production in the U.S. With the estimated demand for plastics machinery expected to reach $4.4 billion by 2024, it is clear that the plastic production industry is set to experience significant growth in the coming years. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing the current and future state of plastic production in the U.S.

Conclusion

The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the significant role that plastic production and consumption plays in the US economy. In 2020, approximately 116 billion pounds of plastic were produced, with over 50% used for packaging purposes. Additionally, 76% of all plastic waste ended up in landfills while 8.7% was recycled. The plastics industry had a sales revenue of $432.6 billion and employed more than 10,000 companies across the country as well as 90,000 people within its film and sheet manufacturing sector alone.

Plastic consumption is expected to continue growing at an alarming rate; by 2022 it is estimated to reach 151 billion pounds annually while only 9 percent will be recycled each year according to EPA estimates from 2020 data collection efforts . This highlights how important it is for individuals and businesses alike to take steps towards reducing their reliance on single-use plastics whenever possible so that we can reduce our environmental impact going forward into 2021 and beyond.

References

0. – https://www.plasticsnews.com

1. – https://www.statista.com

2. – https://www.ourworldindata.org

3. – https://www.epa.gov

4. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

5. – https://www.plastech.biz

6. – https://www.fred.stlouisfed.org

7. – https://www.americanchemistry.com

8. – https://www.cen.acs.org

9. – https://www.plasticsindustry.org

10. – https://www.wits.worldbank.org

FAQs

How much plastic is produced in the US each year?

The United States produces approximately 35.4 million metric tons of plastic annually as of recent data.

What percentage of global plastic production does the US account for?

The United States accounts for about 9-10% of global plastic production.

What are the primary industries using plastic in the United States?

Primary industries using plastic in the United States include packaging, construction, consumer goods, electronics, automotive, agriculture, and medical sectors.

What is the fate of plastic waste generated in the US?

Approximately 32% of plastic waste in the United States is recycled, 5.5% is burned for energy recovery, and the remaining 62.5% end up in landfills or enter the environment.

Are there any regulations or initiatives in the US aimed at reducing plastic production or waste?

Yes, various state and local governments have implemented plastic ban policies, such as bans on single-use plastic bags and plastic straws; the U.S. federal government has also taken strategic steps to reduce plastic waste through initiatives like America Recycles Day and the Save Our Seas Act.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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