In a striking analysis, Greenpeace has revealed that five major oil and chemical companies, which pledged to combat plastic pollution through the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), have produced over 1,000 times more plastic than the waste they’ve removed from the environment. These companies include some of the world’s largest plastic producers: ExxonMobil, Dow, Shell, TotalEnergies, and ChevronPhillips.
The AEPW was formed in 2019 with the goal of diverting 15 million tonnes of plastic waste from entering the environment by 2023, through efforts like improved recycling and collection systems. However, according to data obtained by Greenpeace, these same companies produced a staggering 132 million tonnes of plastic in just five years—over 1,000 times the weight of the waste the alliance has managed to divert.
The Scale of the Discrepancy
The figures analyzed by Wood Mackenzie, a consulting firm, focus on two types of plastic—polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which are commonly used in items like plastic bottles, bags, and food packaging. The data only accounts for these two polymers, meaning the total plastic produced is likely even higher, as it does not include other common plastics like polystyrene.
The waste diverted by the AEPW, mainly through mechanical or chemical recycling methods, amounts to just 118,500 tonnes. This is a mere fraction compared to the massive volume of new plastic produced by the companies involved. The alliance’s original target of removing 15 million tonnes of waste was quietly dropped as “too ambitious,” highlighting a significant gap between their stated goals and their actual achievements.
Greenpeace Exposes the Greenwashing Agenda
Greenpeace UK’s Will McCallum has criticized the AEPW, accusing the alliance of greenwashing its efforts to address the growing plastic crisis. He compared the alliance’s approach to trying to “scoop up the water with a teaspoon while letting the tap run.” McCallum argues that the only true solution to the plastic crisis is to drastically reduce the production of plastic in the first place.
Environmentalist Bill McKibben echoed these concerns, labeling the AEPW’s efforts as a prime example of greenwashing. He emphasized that the oil and gas industry, which is deeply intertwined with plastic production, has long been misleading the public about the sustainability of plastic recycling.
AEPW’s Response and Lobbying Efforts
In response to the allegations, an AEPW spokesperson disputed the claims, asserting that the alliance’s purpose is to accelerate innovation and promote scalable solutions to reduce plastic waste. However, the AEPW has faced significant scrutiny for its lobbying activities, especially during the UN’s ongoing negotiations for a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.
The AEPW has actively lobbied against caps on global plastic production, which many environmental groups and governments argue are necessary to combat the escalating plastic crisis. The UK, under its new Labour government, has called for the inclusion of production reduction targets in the treaty, a stance recently supported by the United States under President Biden. The treaty talks are set to conclude soon, with an agreement expected to address plastic waste across the entire plastic lifecycle.
The Unlikely Path to Solutions
Experts, including Professor Steve Fletcher from the University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics Institute, have pointed out that reducing the production of primary plastic polymers, or “virgin plastic,” is critical to cutting down on plastic pollution. Without addressing the root cause of plastic overproduction, efforts to manage waste will have little impact.
The AEPW’s origins trace back to 2019 when the American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers, sought ways to shift the narrative around plastic pollution. The alliance’s PR strategy, which involved spending millions of dollars on lobbying, was intended to counteract calls for plastic bans and instead focus on long-term recycling solutions.
Growing Concerns Over Plastic Waste
The revelations come as global plastic production continues to soar, with annual production more than doubling between 2000 and 2019. As of 2019, the world produced 460 million tonnes of plastic, of which only 9% was ultimately recycled, according to an OECD report. Despite the significant efforts of organizations like the AEPW, the scale of plastic pollution continues to grow, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of current strategies.
The AEPW insists that it is part of a larger effort to find solutions for plastic waste, promoting recycling and a circular economy. However, critics argue that without addressing the root causes—namely, the massive scale of plastic production—the alliance’s efforts are unlikely to make a meaningful dent in the global plastic crisis.
Looking Ahead: Will Real Change Happen?
As the UN prepares to finalize a global treaty to address plastic pollution, the debate continues over whether plastic production caps should be included. While the AEPW and its allies argue that reducing production is unnecessary, many governments and environmental organizations insist that it is the only way to make significant progress.
In the coming months, the world will see whether these companies will adjust their strategies or continue to focus on limited recycling initiatives while continuing to flood the market with new plastic.
What are your thoughts on the role of large corporations in tackling plastic pollution? Do you believe the industry should focus on reducing production or improving recycling efforts? Join the conversation in the comments below!
