About the Plastic Footprint Calculator
The ubiquity of plastic is a terrifying fact – it's everywhere around us: in the ground and in the oceans, in our food, and in the water we drink. This plastic footprint calculator was created to help – find out what your plastic usage will be in a year's time.
The Plastic Crisis
- More than 8 million tons of plastic are dumped in our oceans every year
- By 2050, we are going to have more plastic waste than fish in the oceans
- Only 5-10% of the world's plastic is recycled
- More than 30% of plastic ends up in a landfill
- Around one-third ends up in the oceans
- Microplastic increases the risk of cancer, asthma, infertility, and mental disorders
How Long Does It Take for Plastic Waste to Decompose?
Scientists estimate that plastic can take more than 500 years to degrade, but this time varies for specific items:
| Item | Decomposition Time |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags | 10-1000 years |
| Grocery bags | 10-20 years |
| Foam plastic cups | 50 years |
| Plastic disposable cups and plates | 400 years |
| Disposable diapers | 450 years |
| Plastic bottles | 450-500 years |
| Plastic straws | 200 years |
| Plastic toothbrush | 400+ years |
The 4 R's Rule: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The 4R's is a rule to minimize and manage waste – it's fundamental for those who really care about the world we are living in.
1. Refuse
Turn down all disposable plastics, such as coffee cups, straws, plastic bags, single-use cutlery, and stirrers.
You are using it for seconds or minutes, but it will outlive you by hundreds of years.
2. Reduce
Choose products with the least possible plastic waste:
- Paper-wrapped products over plastic packaging
- Biodegradable cotton swabs instead of plastic ones
- Avoid plastic microfibers in synthetic clothing
3. Reuse
Use plastic containers as many times as possible:
- Take your lunch in reusable containers
- Reuse your non-toxic, durable straw
- Carry a reusable water bottle
- Repurpose old plastic stuff creatively
4. Recycle
If the options above don't work, stick to the last one:
- Buy products made of recycled materials
- Choose products easy to recycle
- Rinse waste before recycling
- Avoid waste contamination
How to Calculate Your Plastic Footprint?
The plastic footprint calculator helps you estimate your yearly plastic consumption by tracking three main categories:
1. Shopping Habits
- Plastic bags: How many grocery bags do you take per week?
- Water bottles: How many PET bottles do you buy weekly?
- Food wrappers: Packaging from bread, snacks, fruits, vegetables
- Yogurt containers: Dairy product packaging
2. Bathroom & Cleaning
- Cotton swabs: Those with plastic sticks (one of the top 10 forms of beach litter)
- Detergent bottles: Cleaning product containers
- Shampoo bottles: Personal care product containers
- Refill packets: Alternative to buying new bottles (4x less plastic)
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste: Daily hygiene products
3. Disposables & Takeaway
- Takeaway containers: Food delivery and restaurant packaging
- Plastic cutlery: Disposable forks, knives, spoons
- Coffee cups: Paper cups lined with plastic for waterproofness
- Plastic straws: Make up approximately 4% of plastic trash by piece
- Disposable plates: Single-use tableware
Average Plastic Footprints
European Average
31 kg
68 lbs per year
US Average
84 kg
185 lbs per year
How Can I Reduce My Plastic Footprint?
Take Action Today
- Refuse plastic bags – Bring your own cloth bags. Keep a cotton bag in your backpack, car trunk, or next to the front door.
- Bring your mug – In the UK alone, 7 million disposable coffee cups are used every day. Less than 1% are recycled.
- Refuse plastic straws – Change to paper or steel straws, or drink without one. Plastic straws make up approximately 4% of plastic trash by piece.
- Use refill packets – Instead of buying new bottles every time. This generates 4x less plastic waste.
- Carry your own water bottle – Choose a reusable plastic or glass bottle. You'll reduce your footprint and save money.
Coffee Cup Facts
Did you know?
- 7 million disposable coffee cups are used every day in the UK alone
- Disposable cups are made from paper lined with plastic for waterproofness
- They need to be recycled in specialized facilities
- Less than 1% of disposable cups are actually recycled
- Don't forget about plastic lids, sleeves, and stirrers
Why Is Plastic Recycling Difficult?
Less than 10% of the plastic we throw away is recycled. Why?
- Many types exist: We can only recycle some types of plastic
- Energy-intensive: Plastic recycling requires significant energy
- Transportation costs: Moving waste for recycling is expensive
- Contamination: Plastic segregated by people is often not clean enough
The best strategy is to reduce the use of plastic, more than betting on recycling it!
The Impact of Microplastics
Health Warning:
Microplastic – if inhaled or eaten by a person – increases the risk of:
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Infertility
- Mental disorders
Remember
This calculator features only basic products – your plastic footprint may be much higher if you add other items:
- Plastic furniture
- Storage boxes and crates
- Buckets and flower pots
- Bowls and kitchen items
- Toys and sports equipment
- Electronics packaging
Little Drops Make the Mighty Ocean
Remember that change starts with individual action. Inform yourself and others, be aware, change your lifestyle, and take action. Don't wait for big companies and industries to act first – your choices matter!
In 2050, we'll probably have as much plastic as fish in the oceans. Don't let this become reality. Start today!