The DOI matches its Crossref record; 51 of the 51 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Growing environmental footprint of plastics driven by coal combustion
Open accessAbstract
Research on the environmental impacts from the global value chain of plastics has typically focused on the disposal phase, considered most harmful to the environment and human health. However, the production of plastics is also responsible for substantial environmental, health and socioeconomic impacts. We show that the carbon and particulate-matter-related health footprint of plastics has doubled since 1995, due mainly to growth in plastics production in coal-based economies. Coal-based emissions have quadrupled since 1995, causing almost half of the plastics-related carbon and particulate-matter-related health footprint in 2015. Plastics-related carbon footprints of China’s transportation, Indonesia’s electronics industry and India’s construction sector have increased more than 50-fold since 1995. In 2015, plastics caused 4.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, 6% of global coal electricity is used for plastics production. The European Union and the United States have increasingly consumed plastics produced in coal-based economies. In 2015, 85% of the workforce required for plastics consumed by the European Union and the United States was employed abroad, but 80% of the related value added was generated domestically. As high-income regions have outsourced the energy-intensive steps of plastics production to coal-based economies, renewable energy investments throughout the plastics value chain are critical for sustainable production and consumption of plastics.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Our results are in line with previous studies 38,39 and demonstrate that in 2022 little progress has been made to reduce the reliance of fossil-fuel feedstocks for plastic production.”
From Complexities of the global plastics supply chain revealed in a trade-linked material flow analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [38]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made
Geyer, R., Jambeck, J. R., & Law, K. L. (2017) · Science Advances · doi:10.1126/sciadv.1700782 · Cited by 18,606
Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean
Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., Narayan, R., & Law, K. L. (2015) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1260352 · Cited by 13,163
The ecoinvent database version 3 (part I): overview and methodology
Wernet, G., Bauer, C., Steubing, B., Reinhard, J., Moreno-Ruiz, E., & Weidema, B. (2016) · The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment · doi:10.1007/s11367-016-1087-8 · Cited by 5,564
Predicted growth in plastic waste exceeds efforts to mitigate plastic pollution
Borrelle, S. B., Ringma, J., Law, K. L., Monnahan, C. C., Lebreton, L., McGivern, A., Murphy, E., Jambeck, J., Leonard, G. H., Hilleary, M. A., et al. (2020) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.aba3656 · Cited by 3,219
Plastics Recycling: Challenges and Opportunities
Hopewell, J., Dvorak, R., & Kosior, E. (2009) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0311 · Cited by 3,201
Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends
Thompson, R. C., Moore, C. J., Saal, F. S. V., & Swan, S. H. (2009) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2009.0053 · Cited by 3,069
Applications and societal benefits of plastics
Andrady, A. L., & Neal, M. A. (2009) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0304 · Cited by 2,464
Classify plastic waste as hazardous
Rochman, C. M., Browne, M. A., Halpern, B. S., Hentschel, B. T., Hoh, E., Karapanagioti, H. K., Rios-Mendoza, L. M., Takada, H., Teh, S., & Thompson, R. C. (2013) · Nature · doi:10.1038/494169a · Cited by 1,752
Microplastics and human health
Vethaak, A. D., & Legler, J. (2021) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.abe5041 · Cited by 1,537
Law, K. L., & Thompson, R. C. (2014) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1254065 · Cited by 1,471
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 401–456 of 456
Integration with biotechnological approaches for upcycling waste plastics
Yeo, I.-S. (2024) · Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry · doi:10.3839/jabc.2024.036
Welche Zukunft haben die energieintensiven Industrien?
Meier, K. (2024) · PROKLA Zeitschrift für kritische Sozialwissenschaft · doi:10.32387/prokla.v54i216.2130
Hartati, M. S., Hardiansyah, Hariyanto, N. E., & Septioningrum, E. N. (2024) · International Journal of Basic Education Research · doi:10.14421/ijber.v1i2.9641
Kunststoff in der Spieleproduktion
Jäger, F. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-68339-2_44
Microplastics and Climate Change
Bhasin, N., Kumar, S., Barla, A., Tiwari, A. K., & Singh, G. S. (2024) · Advances in environmental engineering and green technologies book series · doi:10.4018/979-8-3693-3447-8.ch003
Nachhaltige Arbeitsweisen in der Pflege – Pflegeprozesse neu denken und Konsum reduzieren
Huss, N. M., & Weinheimer, M. (2024) · Springer Reference Pflege, Therapie, Gesundheit · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-68278-4_29
Kusuma, H. S., Jaya, D. E. C., Nasution, S. A., Mongilong, R. K., Fachri, D. M., & Afifah, D. K. (2024) · Materials Today Communications · doi:10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.111028
Qian, Z.-J., Sun, B., Nie, Z.-R., Shi-wei, D., & Gong, X. (2025) · Journal of environmental chemical engineering · doi:10.1016/j.jece.2025.116599
Global Assessment of the Emission Impacts of Chemical Recycling Technologies for PlasticsPreprint
Karalı, N., Khanna, N. Z., & Sharma, A. (2025) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-6865649/v1
Environmental Aspects of Circularity
Bertling, J., & Kabasci, S. (2024) · Springer handbooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-66209-6_3
Limits of low-cost environmentalism: Experimental evidence on tap- versus bottled-water consumption
Gomm, S., Tosun, J., & Bernauer, T. (2026) · Ecological Economics · doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2026.109069
Thöne, M. (2025) · Globale Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung. · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-70588-9_22
Microplastics as a marker for the beginning of the Anthropocene
Stivriņš, N., Saarni, S., & Dimante‐Deimantovica, I. (2025) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-14082-2.00150-2
Spraul, K. S., Kiehl, M., Marangé, P., Liarte, S., & Levrat, É. (2025) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-28886-9.00003-4
Exploring the convergence of energy and sustainable supply chains: a systematic review
Saad, M. B., & Saad, R. B. (2025) · Supply Chain Forum an International Journal · doi:10.1080/16258312.2025.2575754
The Cruel Optimism of Plastics: Promissory Technologies and the Temporalities of Inaction
Pathak, G., Abrahms‐Kavunenko, S., & Nichter, M. (2025) · Social Studies of Science · doi:10.1177/03063127251402996
Krishnan, P., Das, M., Ambekar, R. S., Singh, H., Özden, Ş., & Tiwary, C. S. (2026) · Journal of Polymer Research · doi:10.1007/s10965-026-05112-0
Data-Efficient Polymer Classification Using Spectra Simulation and Bayesian Optimization
Pletl, A., Kulko, R.-D., Hanus, A., & Elser, B. (2026) · Recycling · doi:10.3390/recycling11020035
Microplastics in the Environment
Dang, F., Huang, Y., & Xing, B. (2026) · ACS in focus · doi:10.1021/acsinfocus.7ea005
Food System Resilience Requires Addressing the Plastic Lifecycle and Policy Reform
Gautam, R. K., Sahu, A., Singh, M., Amin, A., & Mishra, A. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-17411-6_15
Mechanism of plastic biodegradation: a step towards environmental sustainability
Mathew, J. T., Inobeme, A., Adetunji, C. O., Otori, A. A., Shaba, E. Y., Monday, M., Azeh, Y., Bini, E. M., Ezekiel, T., Ibrahim, M. A., et al. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-41630-9.00001-x
System dynamics modeling of membrane technology deployment in Australia
Melles, G. B. (2026) · Frontiers in Membrane Science and Technology · doi:10.3389/frmst.2026.1765275
Li, J., Chang, J., Hu, E., Chen, K., Lin, L., Liu, K., Zhao, Y., & Jiang, J. (2026) · ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · doi:10.1021/acsami.5c23170
Peprah, D. A., Ofori‐Sasu, D., & Asante, A. (2026) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-8798786/v1
Dilkes-Hoffman, L. S., Laycock, B. G., Pratt, S., Ross, H., & Lant, P. A. (2026) · Cell Reports Sustainability · doi:10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100683
eddine, A. N. (2024) · doi:10.70675/798ad3c5z8301z4f78zb714z19c336669055
It is time to learn from the timeline of micro and nano-plastic pollution
Gontard, N., Chapuis, E., & Guillard, V. (2026) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181803
Modular Molecular Editing for Polymer‐to‐Polymer Recycling of Postconsumer Plastics
Xie, H., Xiao, G. B., Liu, L., Zhang, H., & Zhang, J. V. (2026) · ChemPlusChem · doi:10.1002/cplu.70159
Choi, J., Park, S. K., Shafique, M., & Myung, J. (2026) · Green Chemistry · doi:10.1039/d6gc00167j
Iwamoto, K., Ham, G.-Y., Al-Mallahi, J., Ochiai, S., Tanaka, Y., & Ishii, K. (2026) · Waste Management · doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115583
Artificial intelligence investments and nuclear energy consumption: evidence from Europe
SARITAŞ, T., Kaplan, E. A., Büyükkör, Y., & Aslan, A. (2026) · Technological Sustainability · doi:10.1108/techs-12-2025-0273
Controlled ring-opening polymerization of xylose-derived lactones towards sustainable polyesters
Wang, X.-Y., Wang, W., Wei, W.-L., Ren, W., Lu, X., & Zhou, H. (2026) · Polymer Chemistry · doi:10.1039/d6py00323k
Unequal environmental burdens amid uneven economic gains in the global low-carbon power transition
Fu, R., Li, J., Tian, P., Chen, J., Chen, B., Feng, K., Zuo, J., Goodsite, M. E., & Sun, L. (2026) · Cell Reports Sustainability · doi:10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100729
Terephthalate, a plastic monomer, triggers phosphate metabolism rewiring in yeast
Takallou, S., Lancaster, R., Kinshin, S., Kazmirchuk, T. D. D., Golshani, A., & Fletcher, E. (2026) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2537088123
The French plastics industry’s path-dependent transition towards the circular economy
Brette, O., Lazaric, N., Barbaut, L., & Massardier, V. (2026) · Industry and Innovation · doi:10.1080/13662716.2026.2683382
Pathak, G. (2026) · Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science · doi:10.1093/9780197851432.003.0938
Mining-related tree cover loss embodied in EU consumption
Luckeneder, S., Giljum, S., MAUS, V. W., Sonter, L. J., & Lenzen, M. (2026) · Resources Conservation and Recycling · doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2026.109064 · Cited by 1
Small organic molecules through biomass valorization: sustainable routes and applications
Bhatia, S., Bhardwaj, S. R., & Singh, R. (2026) · Frontiers in Environmental Engineering · doi:10.3389/fenve.2026.1867033
Antonacci, C., Battiston, E., Zamboni, D., Gross, S., & Mazzi, A. (2026) · Polymers · doi:10.3390/polym18141760
Kavade, O. G., & Vasireddy, S. N. (2026) · Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis · doi:10.1016/j.jaap.2026.107990
Energy Decarbonization Using Biogas as an Alternative Energy Source
Cavali, M., Belli, I. M., Libardi, N., Belli, P., & de Castilhos, A. B. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-99-7917-2_1-1
Lim, W. Y., Neoh, S. Z., Ong, K. Z. K., Fook, L. Q., Lakshmanan, M., & Sudesh, K. (2026) · Journal of Polymers and the Environment · doi:10.1007/s10924-026-03936-x
Knowledge gaps impeding plastic governance in the European Union
Madsen, S. H. J., Bauer, F., Hansen, T., Nilsson, L. J., Almroth, B. C., Cullen, J. M., Dreyer, E., Milios, L., Mortensen, L. F., Nielsen, T. D., et al. (2026) · iScience · doi:10.1016/j.isci.2026.117065
Tanoos, J. J. (2026) · International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research · doi:10.29121/ijetmr.v13.i8.2026.1796
A Semi-Quantitative System Dynamics Model of Circular Manufacturing and Plastic Recovery in ChilePreprint
Véliz, K., Walters, J. P., & Rojas, R. (2026) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.7351249
Climate warming accelerates plastic degradation and secondary microplastic formationPreprint
Wei, X., Zhou, L., Wang, X., Lefevre, G., Bescond, M., Bao, R., Richaud, E., & MacLeod, M. (2026) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10907129/v1
A modular building-block framework for navigating circular carbon pathways
Hunhevicz, J., Kiefer, F., & Sulzer, M. (2026) · RSC Sustainability · doi:10.1039/d6su00228e
CO2-Derived Dynamic Covalent Networks via Transesterification-mediated Backbone Functionalization
Chen, K., Zou, C., Liu, Y., Wang, M., Gu, H., Wang, H., Ju, H., Chen, J., & Cao, P. (2026) · Supramolecular Materials · doi:10.1016/j.supmat.2026.100143
Houssini, K., Li, J., Liang, S. I., Shan, C., Mperejekumana, P., & Tan, Q. (2026) · Cell Reports Sustainability · doi:10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100859
Zhang, Y., & Luo, Y. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1948458
Plastic-related carbon inequality and mitigation pathways in China
Ruifei, L., Huang, H., Luo, Y., Zhu, X., Li, Y., Huang, X., Chen, C., & Li, H. (2026) · Sustainable Production and Consumption · doi:10.1016/j.spc.2026.10.002
Yue, X. U., Jinhui, L. I., & Tan, Q. (2026) · Waste Management · doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115946
A semi-quantitative system dynamics model of circular manufacturing and plastic recovery in Chile
Véliz, K. D., Walters, J. P., & Rojas, R. (2026) · Waste Management · doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115951
Sianturi, D. S. A., Firdaus, Y., Novianti, K., Rahmania, R., Arifin, T., Mudjijono, M., Tjahjo, D. W. H., Purnamaningtyas, S. E., Akhwady, R., Sufyan, A., et al. (2026) · Journal of Coastal Conservation · doi:10.1007/s11852-026-01301-7
Metadata
- Authors
- Cabernard, L., Pfister, S., Oberschelp, C., & Hellweg, S.
- Affiliations
- ETH Zurich (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Cabernard, Livia
- Venue
- Nature Sustainability
- Published
- 2021-12-02
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 139-148
- ISSN
- 2398-9629 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4200043500
- Cited by
- 458
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 78 · 2025: 107 · 2024: 125 · 2023: 96 · 2022: 51 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 22.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Nature Sustainability (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Repository for Publications and Research Data (ETH Zurich) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- ETH Zürich Research Collection (cc-by)
- Funders
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Energy, Environment, Economic Growth
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Keywords
- plastic production, coal combustion, environmental footprint, carbon footprint, particulate matter, greenhouse gas emissions, global value chains, plastic consumption, renewable energy investment, health effects, China, Indonesia, India
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
