Plastic Footprint Calculator
Select the plastic items you use, and input your current and goal usage to see the impact you'll create!
Food & Kitchen Needs 🍽️
Bathroom & Laundry 🛁
Disposable Containers & Packaging 🥡
Other 🛋️
How to Use the Plastic Footprint Calculator
- Check the boxes for the plastic items you use regularly.
- For each selected item, enter your current usage (e.g., items per week or month).
- Enter your goal usage for each item to see potential improvements.
- Click "Calculate Plastic Footprint" to see your current impact and potential reduction.
This calculator helps you visualize your plastic consumption and set realistic goals for reduction.
Types of Plastic
- PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Used in bottles and food containers
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Used in milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and toys
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Used in pipes, window frames, and flooring
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Used in plastic bags and squeeze bottles
- PP (Polypropylene): Used in bottle caps, food containers, and car parts
- PS (Polystyrene): Used in disposable cups, plates, and packaging
Tips to Reduce Plastic Use
- Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic ones
- Carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup
- Choose products with minimal packaging
- Use glass or stainless steel food containers
- Say no to plastic straws and cutlery
- Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste
- Use bar soap instead of liquid soap in plastic bottles
- Choose natural fabric clothing over synthetic materials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the footprint of plastic?
The plastic footprint refers to the total amount of plastic a person, organization, or product consumes and discards over a given period. It includes both visible plastic waste and the environmental impact of plastic production and disposal.
How do you measure plastic footprint?
Plastic footprint is typically measured by tracking the quantity and types of plastic items used and discarded. This can be done through waste audits, surveys, or using calculators like this one to estimate consumption patterns.
What is the carbon footprint of 1 kg of plastic?
The carbon footprint of plastic varies by type, but on average, producing 1 kg of plastic emits about 6 kg of CO2. For some plastics like PET, it can be as high as 2.5 kg of CO2 per 1 kg of plastic.
What is the water footprint of plastic?
The water footprint of plastic production is significant. For example, producing 1 kg of PET plastic requires about 17 liters of water. When considering the entire lifecycle, including raw material extraction, the water footprint can be much higher.
How much plastic is left on earth?
It's estimated that over 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s. About 6.3 billion tons of this has become plastic waste, with only 9% recycled. The majority ends up in landfills or the environment.
Why is plastic footprint important?
Understanding your plastic footprint is crucial for reducing environmental impact. Plastic pollution affects wildlife, marine ecosystems, and human health. By measuring and reducing our plastic use, we can contribute to solving this global issue.
How many years of plastic is left?
This question is complex as plastic production continues. However, if current trends continue, it's estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish by weight. The focus should be on reducing use and improving recycling rather than estimating "years left".
Is every piece of plastic still on earth?
Nearly every piece of plastic ever made still exists in some form, as plastic does not biodegrade. It breaks down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which persist in the environment for hundreds or thousands of years.
How much plastic will be in the ocean by 2050?
If current trends continue, it's estimated that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans by weight. Predictions suggest there could be about 937 million tons of plastic in the ocean compared to 895 million tons of fish.