Trucost's latest study, "Plastics and Sustainability: A Valuation of Environmental Benefits, Costs and Opportunities for Continuous Improvement," builds on a 2014 study the research company did for the United Nations Environment Program, using the same methodology and “natural capital accounting” metrics.

Trucost estimates that swapping plastic for alternatives such as glass, tin or aluminum would increase environmental costs from $139bn to $533bn — that’s taking into account ocean damage, end-of-life management, transportation, production and material and energy recovery costs and impact.

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