Latest news with #polyethyleneterephthalate
HKFP
a day ago
- Business
- HKFP
China the world's biggest plastic producer, study says
Seven countries produced two-thirds of the four most common types of plastic in 2024, according to the British environmental consultancy Eunomia and the Zero Carbon Analytics, a climate and energy research group. But China stands in a category of its own, making as much as the next six countries combined, the figures show. The figures were released as 184 countries try to find common ground at negotiations in Geneva on a first-ever treaty aimed at ending the scourge of plastic pollution. The Eunomia and Zero Carbon Analytics study focuses on production of among the most widely-used types of virgin polymers: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) typically used in drinks bottles, and polystyrene (PS). China was responsible for 34 percent of production of the big four polymers last year, the study said, well ahead of the United States (13 percent) and Saudi Arabia (five percent). Next comes South Korea, also on five percent, India on four percent, Japan on three percent and Germany on two percent. According to an older study by energy data provider Wood Mackenzie, plastic production is concentrated among a clutch of giant companies, some of which are state-owned. It said just 18 companies worldwide produced more than half of the world's plastic polymers in 2021. Wood Mackenzie said the world's leading producer is China's state-owned Sinopec — the China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation — which alone produces 5.4 percent of the world's plastic. It is followed by US oil and gas giant ExxonMobil (five percent), US multinational chemical company LyondellBasell (4.5 percent), oil giant Saudi Aramco (4.3 percent) and PetroChina (4.2 percent). The leading European producers are Britain's Ineos (2.8 percent) in seventh place, Austria's Borealis in 10th place on 2.3 percent, and France's TotalEnergies 11th at two percent.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Disturbing problem with placing five common items in dishwasher
A disturbing list of items you shouldn't be stacking in your dishwasher has been revealed in a new Australian study. University of Queensland researchers discovered a full load of plastic containers and utensils sheds an average 920,000 tiny fragments into the water during an average washing cycle. The findings take us one step closer to understanding where the millions of particles households excrete into wastewater supplies come from. Research fellow Dr Elvis Okoffo's study examined five plastics — polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which are commonly used in the manufacture of household kitchenware. And because of the amount they shed, Okoffo's advice is to avoid putting any plastic in the dishwasher altogether. Household dishwashers only shed a rice-grain-sized amount of plastic into the environment each year. But that likely adds up to around 33 million particles being expelled into wastewater each year. 'While dishwashers contribute significantly to the number of plastic particles in wastewater, their overall mass contribution to plastic pollution is minor compared to other sources,' he told Yahoo News Australia via email. His previous study into garments shedding in washing machines added pressure on manufacturers to install filters to catch tiny plastic fibres, and he believes there's a need for similar devices to be installed in dishwashers. While most of the plastic particles in wastewater are captured before they reach the ocean, Okoffo is adamant they are still problematic. 'Even if it's a few, if you keep discharging every day, it adds up,' he said during an interview. Even more worryingly, many of the particles that don't reach the sea are still expelled onto land. A previous study by Okoffo estimated 4,700 metric tons of plastic particles enter the Australian environment as biosolids (treated sewerage). Of this, 3,700 Mt of plastics are released onto farmland and 140 Mt as landscape topsoil. 'When you apply it to agricultural land, that's when it becomes a problem,' Okoffo said. 😳 Fears major law change could 'cut the guts' out of entire rural industry 🔌 EnergyAustralia apologises to 400,000 customers over now deleted claims ♳ Jetstar passenger request raises questions about recycling What's particularly concerning about this is that humans, animals, and plants are all increasingly absorbing worrying amounts of tiny plastic particles, with a study published in February finding our brains contain as much as a spoon's worth. The new dishwasher study was published on Tuesday in the journal American Chemical Society ES&T Water. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
