The Plastic Intensity of Industries in the USA: The Devil Wears Plastic

Abstract Plastic pollution is a big source of concern around the world. Research to date has focused on types plastic in environment and processing waste. For policymakers consumers be informed decision makers, they need understand industries which use plastics intensity those industries. Using input–output data for USA, we calculate (the value inputs per dollar output) 415 non-plastic 13 plastic. We find most intensive are related clothing fabric manufacturing. This true aggregate as well likely contribute pollution. The high consistent with abundance clothing-related microplastics found waterways. results indicate that policies consumer-facing such bags do not address key pathways, can help make decisions improve environmental outcomes.