Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste and Sustainable Food Practices

Waste

Material that is no longer useful and is discarded

Types of Waste

Solid, liquid, gaseous; municipal, industrial, agricultural; hazardous vs non-hazardous

Plastic Waste

Non-biodegradable synthetic material made from fossil fuels

Formation of Plastic Waste

Oil → manufacturing → short use → disposal (landfill, recycle, environment)

Global Plastic Production

~300-400 million tons per year

Plastic Waste Management

9% recycled, 12% incinerated, 79% landfill/environment

Countries with Highest Plastic Waste

U.S., China, India

Mismanaged Plastic Waste Regions

Southeast Asia

Plastic Lifespan

Can last hundreds of years (e.g., bottles ~450 years)

Microplastics

Plastic particles <5 mm from breakdown or microbeads

Benefits of Plastics

Lightweight, durable, cheap, flexible

Why Plastic Isn't 100% Recycled

Cost, contamination, multiple types, low value

Plastic Environmental Impact

Pollution, wildlife harm, ocean accumulation

Plastic Health Impact

Chemicals and microplastics enter food and body

Plastic Equity Impact

Disproportionately affects low-income communities

Food Sustainability

Producing food while protecting environment, economy, and society

Planetary Health Diet

Diet that supports human health and stays within environmental limits

EAT-Lancet Commission

Group that created sustainable diet for ~10 billion people

Planetary Health Plate

½ fruits/vegetables, ¼ grains, ¼ protein (mostly plant-based)

Worst Foods (Environmental Impact)

Red meat, processed foods

Best Foods (Environmental Impact)

Vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains

Red Meat Impact

High emissions, water use, land use

Food Environmental Impact

Contributes to climate change, water use, biodiversity loss

Food Footprint

Environmental impact of food (carbon, water, nitrogen, land)

Animal vs Plant Foods

Animal foods have much higher environmental impact

Cool Foods

Foods with lower climate impact

Agriculture Environmental Impact

Major contributor to emissions, land use, water use, biodiversity loss

Soil Sustainability

Crop rotation, cover crops, reduced tillage, compost

Water Sustainability

Efficient irrigation, rainwater use, avoid overuse

Energy Sustainability

Renewable energy, reduced fossil fuel use

Biodiversity

Variety of species; increases ecosystem resilience

IPM (Integrated Pest Management)

Eco-friendly pest control using biology and diversity

Social Sustainability

Fair wages, safe working conditions, community support

Agricultural Waste Management

Reduce, reuse, recycle, compost

Innovation in Agriculture

Precision farming, sensors, hydroponics

Economic Sustainability (Farming)

Long-term profitability and stable income

Food Choice Impact

Consumer choices influence production systems

Food Waste

Food that is produced but not consumed

Global Food Waste

~1/3 of all food

Food Waste Emissions

7-8% of global greenhouse gases

Food Waste Resources

Wastes water, energy, land

Where Food Waste Happens

Farm, processing, retail, homes

Food Recovery Hierarchy

Reduce → feed people → feed animals → industrial → compost → landfill

Smart Shopping

Plan meals and buy only what you need

Smart Storage

Store food properly to extend life

Smart Saving

Use leftovers, "eat first" system

Composting

Turn food scraps into soil instead of trash

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

1973 law protecting endangered species and habitats

ESA Success Rate

~99% success preventing extinction

Critical Habitat

Protected areas essential for species survival

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones

Climate zones based on temperature

Hardiness Zone Trend

Shifting warmer due to climate change

State Wildlife Action Plans

State plans identifying at-risk species

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)

Species needing conservation priority

Biggest Cause of Species Decline

Habitat loss from human development

Private Land Importance

Key for habitat restoration

Willingness to Pay for Wildlife Landscaping

Less than 1/3 willing

Willingness to Plant Native Plants

~73% willing if cost is similar

Benefits of Native Plants

Support more species, require less maintenance

Circular Flow Diagram

Model showing flow of money, goods, and labor in economy

Circular Economy

System focused on eliminating waste and reusing resources

Linear Economy

Take → make → dispose model

Circular Economy Goal

Keep materials in use and reduce waste

Design for Longevity

Make products last longer

Extend Product Life

Repair and reuse products

Recycle & Reuse

Turn waste into new materials

Resource Recovery

Extract usable materials from waste

Regenerative Design

Restore natural systems

Circular Economy Benefits

Resource efficiency, waste reduction, energy savings

Economic Benefits

Job creation and new industries

Climate Benefits

Lower carbon emissions