The World's Plastic Production: A Startling Overview

Plastic is a versatile material used in a wide variety of products, from packaging to textiles, adhesives, sealants and coatings. The world produced 413.8 million metric tons of plastic in 2023, with China producing between six and 12 million metric tons of plastic products each month. North America ranks second worldwide in terms of plastic production, with a share of 17% in 2022. Humans currently produce more than 350 million metric tons of plastic waste per year, and the world creates 57 million tons of plastic pollution every year.

Plastic packaging

The world creates 57 million tons of plastic pollution every year, with more than two-thirds of it coming from the Global South. Without changes to current policies, global plastic waste generation is projected to triple by 2060, to one billion metric tons.

Plastic pollution

The world produces a staggering amount of plastic. In 2023, the worldwide production of plastics reached 413.8 million metric tons. China produces between six and 12 million metric tons of plastic products each month, and India leads the world in generating plastic pollution, producing 10.2 million tons a year. North America ranks second worldwide in terms of plastic production, with a 17% share in 2022.

The consequences of this plastic production are dire. The world creates 57 million tons of plastic pollution every year, spreading it from the deepest oceans to the highest mountaintops and even inside people's bodies. The production of plastic requires four basic steps: the acquisition of raw material, synthesizing a basic polymer, compounding the polymer into a usable fraction, and lastly, moulding or shaping the plastic. Without changes to current policies, global plastic waste generation is projected to triple by 2060, to a staggering one billion metric tons.

While China has often been villainized for its pollution, it is making tremendous strides in reducing waste. This serves as a positive example of how countries can take action to address plastic pollution and mitigate its environmental impact. It is crucial for other nations, particularly those with high plastic production and pollution rates, to follow suit and implement measures to reduce their environmental footprint.

Plastic production in China

In 2023, the worldwide production of plastics reached 413.8 million metric tons. This figure is projected to triple by 2060, reaching one billion metric tons.

China is the world's largest plastic producer, accounting for nearly one-third of global plastic production. In 2021, China produced around 80 million tons of plastic, and in 2023, this figure decreased to 75 million metric tons. China's decision to prioritise production has overwhelmed the country's efforts to effectively enact plastics-related policies.

The plastics industry in China has witnessed increased production outputs over the years, driven by the growing demand for engineering plastics in high-end industries such as automotive assembly and electronic manufacturing. In 2019, there were over 17,000 plastic manufacturing companies in China, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in total sales revenues in 2020. Despite the pandemic, inland plastic production from 2019 to 2020 reached 85 million metric tons.

China has been often villainised for its contribution to plastic pollution. However, it ranks fourth in plastic pollution generation, and it is making tremendous strides in reducing waste.

Plastic waste in India

The world produced 413.8 million metric tons of plastic in 2023. India leads the world in generating plastic pollution, producing 10.2 million tons a year.

Plastic waste is a significant issue in India. The country generates more plastic waste than any economy except the USA and the European Union. India's population of more than 1.4 billion people produces 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day. In 2019, the OECD estimated that over 18 million metric tons of plastic waste were generated in India annually. While the per capita generation of plastic waste in India is below the global average, the country accounts for the largest share of mismanaged plastic waste worldwide, at 21%. The majority of plastic waste generated in India is mismanaged, with only 8% of plastic recycled.

The accumulation of plastic waste in India is due to increased urbanisation, the rise of retail chains, and plastic packaging for groceries, food, cosmetics, and consumer products. Plastic packaging is one of the main applications for plastics use and has displaced other materials such as wood, metal, and glass.

India has implemented many measures and bans to tackle plastic waste pollution. The National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste in India aims to increase recycling rates and decrease greenhouse emissions. However, deficient infrastructure and enforcement strategies have made progress slow.

Global plastic waste generation

The world currently produces more than 350 million metric tons of plastic waste per year. In 2023, the worldwide production of plastics reached 413.8 million metric tons. China produces between six and 12 million metric tons of plastic products each month, while India produces 10.2 million tons a year. North America ranks second worldwide in terms of plastic production, with a 17% share in 2022.

The production of plastic requires four basic steps: the acquisition of raw material, synthesising a basic polymer, compounding the polymer into a usable fraction, and lastly, moulding or shaping the plastic. One of the main applications for plastics use is plastic packaging. Plastics are used in a wide variety of products and have displaced other materials such as wood, metal, and glass.

The world creates 57 million tons of plastic pollution every year, according to a study by researchers at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. This is enough pollution each year to fill New York City's Central Park with plastic waste as high as the Empire State Building. More than two-thirds of it comes from the Global South.

Without changes to current policies, global plastic waste generation is projected to triple by 2060, to one billion metric tons.

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