North America Plastic Waste Management Market Size
| Study Period | 2020 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 38.53 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 46.61 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 8.33 % |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
North America Plastic Waste Management Market Analysis
The North America Plastic Waste Management Market size is estimated at USD 38.53 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 46.61 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.33% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The North American plastic waste management market is growing, fueled by robust plastic consumption and stringent regulations. This momentum is attributed to a rising environmental consciousness, tightening regulations, and technological strides in waste management solutions.
Plastic production in the United States surpasses 35 million tons annually. From plastic bags to packaging, Americans' consumption is voracious. However, this appetite for plastic has dire consequences. About 8 million metric tons of waste end up in the oceans yearly, with a mere 9% recycled. This environmental negligence comes at a steep price, with plastic pollution costing the United States an estimated USD 13 billion annually. Despite these costs, the plastic industry remains a significant employer, providing jobs for over 1 million Americans. Local governments bear the brunt of waste management, shelling out more than USD 3.3 billion annually. Plastic production contributes around 2.7% to the US gross domestic product.
The United States and Canada have taken significant steps to combat plastic waste, including bans and recycling mandates. Concurrently, a swelling public awareness of plastic's environmental repercussions is spurring the demand for more effective waste management solutions. Noteworthy innovations, like chemical recycling and advanced sorting systems, are elevating the efficacy of plastic waste management. Moreover, as corporations increasingly pivot toward sustainability and circular economy principles, the market is further fortified.
The North American plastic waste management market is set for sustained growth, propelled by regulatory backing, technological innovations, and a heightened environmental consciousness. Companies in this space will likely prioritize innovative recycling technologies, bolster recycling capacities, and forge strategic alliances to solidify their market standing.
North America Plastic Waste Management Market Trends
Plastics Industry's Roadmap Paves the Way for Circular Economies in Durable Goods
The plastics industry's roadmap underscores significant opportunities to reshape the end-of-life phase for durable goods. Given that nearly 60% of domestically produced North American plastics are channeled into durable goods, it is imperative to find solutions that preserve these materials, pivoting toward a circular economy where plastics are recycled into new products rather than discarded.
The American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Plastics Division has unveiled an industry roadmap to guide policymakers, business leaders, and the public toward more sustainable practices. This roadmap outlines policies and strategies to expedite the adoption of circular practices within five key sectors: automotive, building and construction, electronics, infrastructure, and medical.
Some of the key points highlighted in the roadmap include the necessity of designing products and their components for easy disassembly, repair, and recycling, emphasizing the transformation of spent components into new products.
The pivotal role of advanced (chemical) recycling broadens the scope of recyclable plastics, especially those used in durable applications that traditional mechanical recycling struggles with. The significance of establishing standards, methods, and certification programs to ensure durable products align with a circular economy for plastics.
There is a call for more pilot programs, akin to ACC's collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to assess the technical and economic feasibility of separating, sorting, and recycling durable plastics. ACC is committed to collaborating with policymakers and the durable plastics value chain to realize the circularity goals outlined in the industry roadmap.
As guided by the American Chemistry Council, the plastics industry is pivoting toward a circular economy, especially in the automotive, construction, and electronics sectors. This shift, highlighted in the industry's roadmap, focuses on advanced recycling, designing for disassembly, and setting stringent standards. It is a concerted effort involving policymakers, industry giants, and the ACC to revolutionize how durable plastics are managed. The goal is to ensure a continuous cycle of recycling and repurposing, significantly curbing waste.
United States Leads High-income Nations in Plastic Consumption
High-income countries, including the United States, exhibit a trend of higher per capita plastic consumption compared to their less affluent counterparts. The United States stands out, with the average American using approximately 0.34 kilograms of plastic daily. This figure is nearly triple the usage of Canada and Mexico, each at 0.09 kg/person per day. With an annual consumption of 37.83 million tons, the United States ranks as the world's second-largest plastic consumer, trailing significantly behind China's staggering 60-million-ton consumption. However, being a top consumer does not automatically equate to being a polluter. Wealthier nations, while consuming more plastic per person, also possess the financial resources for more effective disposal methods.
The United States and other affluent nations predominantly dispose of their plastic waste in well-managed landfills or opt for recycling, even with minimal financial returns. Conversely, many lower-income countries with lower plastic consumption rates grapple with unregulated landfills or lack waste management systems, leading to heightened risks of plastic waste entering the oceans.
In 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) allocated nearly USD 70 million for transformative, multi-year initiatives aimed at removing significant marine debris and deploying proven technologies to intercept debris along the US coasts, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States. Furthermore, NOAA earmarked USD 27 million for 29 Sea Grant projects, focusing on coalition-building and innovative research to combat marine debris over the long term.
Highlighting the disparity in plastic consumption, the United States emerges as the world's second-largest consumer, showcasing a stark contrast between affluent and less affluent nations in waste management capabilities. While the United States demonstrates a commitment to advanced waste management and marine debris removal, initiatives like NOAA's substantial funding of USD 70 million for marine debris projects underscore a dedicated approach to combatting plastic pollution and safeguarding marine ecosystems. These endeavors play a pivotal role in bridging the global gap between consumption and sustainable waste management practices.
North America Plastic Waste Management Industry Overview
The plastic waste management market in North America is highly concentrated, with a few major players holding the majority share. These industry leaders boast significant resources, cutting-edge technologies, and robust infrastructure, facilitating the effective management of plastic waste on a regional scale. Some of the key players in this market are Waste Connection, Veolia Environment, GFL Environmental, Republic Services, and Clean Harbors.
North America Plastic Waste Management Market Leaders
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Waste Connection
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Veolia Environnement
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GFL Environmental
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Republic Services
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Clean Harbors
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
North America Plastic Waste Management Market News
- April 2024: The Canadian government announced an investment of over USD 3.3 million to support local organizations in combating plastic pollution. Specifically, nine small and medium-sized companies have been selected to receive grants of up to USD 150,000 each. These funds are earmarked for developing solutions that focus on enhancing the reusability of plastics or improving the management of plastic film, commonly used in consumer packaging. This initiative falls under the broader umbrella of the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges, which, to date, have channeled over USD 25 million to support similar ventures by small and medium-sized businesses nationwide.
- September 2023: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allocated over USD 100 million from the President’s Investing in America initiative. The funds are earmarked for the nationwide expansion of recycling infrastructure and waste management systems. This marks the EPA's most substantial investment in recycling in three decades. Specifically, the EPA has identified 25 communities as recipients of grants, with a cumulative value exceeding USD 73 million, through the newly established Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program.
North America Plastic Waste Management Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Deliverables
- 1.2 Study Assumptions
- 1.3 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Overview
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4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.2.1 Increasing Awareness and Stringent Regulations
- 4.2.2 Rising Adoption of Recycling Technologies
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4.3 Market Restraints
- 4.3.1 High Initial Investment for Recycling Facilities
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4.4 Market Opportunities
- 4.4.1 Increasing Consumer Preference for Eco-friendly Products and Packaging
- 4.5 Value Chain/Supply Chain Analysis
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4.6 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.6.1 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
- 4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
- 4.7 PESTLE Analysis
- 4.8 Insights into Technological Innovations in the Market
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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5.1 By Polymer
- 5.1.1 Polypropylene (PP)
- 5.1.2 Polyethylene (PE)
- 5.1.3 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- 5.1.4 Terephthalate (PET)
- 5.1.5 Other Polymers
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5.2 By Source
- 5.2.1 Residential
- 5.2.2 Commercial
- 5.2.3 Industrial
- 5.2.4 Other Sources (Construction, Healthcare, etc.)
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5.3 By Treatment
- 5.3.1 Recycling
- 5.3.2 Chemical Treatment
- 5.3.3 Landfill
- 5.3.4 Other Treatments
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5.4 By Country
- 5.4.1 United States
- 5.4.2 Canada
- 5.4.3 Mexico
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Market Concetration Overview
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6.2 Company Profiles
- 6.2.1 Waste Connection
- 6.2.2 Veolia Environnement
- 6.2.3 GFL Environmental
- 6.2.4 Casella Waste Management
- 6.2.5 Republic Services
- 6.2.6 Clean Harbors
- 6.2.7 Agilyx
- 6.2.8 Brightmark LLC
- 6.2.9 Advanced Disposal Services Inc.
- 6.2.10 Covanta Holding Corporation
- 6.2.11 Waste Management Inc.
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityNorth America Plastic Waste Management Industsry Segmentation
Plastic waste management involves converting plastic waste into innovative, eco-friendly, cost-effective products with precision and efficiency.
The North American plastic waste management market is segmented by polymer (polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), terephthalate (PET), and other polymers), source (residential, commercial, industrial, and other sources (construction, healthcare, etc.)), treatment (recycling, chemical treatment, landfill, and other treatments), and country (United States, Canada, and Mexico). The report offers market size forecasts for all the above segments in value (USD).
North America Plastic Waste Management Market Research FAQs
How big is the North America Plastic Waste Management Market?
The North America Plastic Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 38.53 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 8.33% to reach USD 46.61 billion by 2029.
What is the current North America Plastic Waste Management Market size?
In 2024, the North America Plastic Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 38.53 billion.
Who are the key players in North America Plastic Waste Management Market?
Waste Connection, Veolia Environnement, GFL Environmental, Republic Services and Clean Harbors are the major companies operating in the North America Plastic Waste Management Market.
What years does this North America Plastic Waste Management Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the North America Plastic Waste Management Market size was estimated at USD 35.32 billion. The report covers the North America Plastic Waste Management Market historical market size for years: 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the North America Plastic Waste Management Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
North America Plastic Waste Management Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 North America Plastic Waste Management market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. North America Plastic Waste Management analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2024 to 2029) and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
