Assessment of Global Plastic Footprint and Quantifying the Carbon Credit

Abstract

The rapid growth of plastic production and waste generation has significantly increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental impacts, highlighting the importance of assessing the global plastic footprint for effective climate mitigation. The plastic footprint represents the total life cycle emissions associated with plastic production, use, and disposal. As plastics are primarily derived from fossil fuels, their life cycle contributes to global emissions, particularly during manufacturing and waste management processes. Environmental release of plastics leads to the formation of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs), which persist in ecosystems and pose risks to environmental and human health. This chapter presents a comprehensive review of the global plastic footprint, its environmental implications, and potential mitigation strategies. It further explains carbon credit quantification as a strategic tool to promote emission reductions in plastic management systems. Carbon credits can be generated through recycling, energy recovery, and reduced dependence on virgin materials, thereby avoiding emissions compared to conventional disposal pathways. Integrating plastic footprint assessment with carbon credit systems provides a robust framework to quantify avoided emissions, support circular economy practices, and advance global carbon neutrality targets.