China's Annual Plastic Consumption: Understanding The Scale

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of plastic. In 2019, the country generated around 26.74 million tons of plastic waste, and in 2020, this figure rose to 60 million tons. China consumes at least one fifth of the world's plastics, and in 2023, its total production of plastic products amounted to around 75 million metric tons.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of plastic

China's situation with plastic waste is more urgent than that of most countries. From 2004 to 2019, China generated approximately 335.46 million tons of plastic waste. In 2019, the country generated around 26.74 million tons of plastic waste. To address this issue, China has introduced a series of policies to reduce plastic waste emissions. In January 2018, China permanently banned the import of non-industrial plastic waste. The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China have also issued opinions calling for a gradual phase-out of non-degradable plastics and the improvement of production, consumption, recycling, and disposal mechanisms for plastic products.

China's plastic waste generation

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of plastic. In 2020, the country produced about 60 million tonnes of plastic waste, of which only 16 million tonnes were recycled. China's total production of plastic products amounted to around 75 million metric tons in 2023, a decrease of 3.0% from the previous year.

China's situation in "plastic control" is more urgent than that of most countries in the world. From 2004 to 2019, China generated approximately 335.46 million tons of plastic waste. In 2019, China generated around 26.74 million tons of plastic waste.

To address the issue of plastic waste, China has introduced a series of policies aimed at reducing plastic waste emissions. In January 2018, China issued a policy to permanently ban the import of non-industrial plastic waste. In 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Prevention and Control of Plastic Pollution," calling for a gradual phase-out of non-degradable plastics and the improvement of the production, consumption, recycling, and disposal mechanisms for plastic products.

China's plastic waste management policies

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of plastic. In 2023, the country's total production of plastic products was around 75 million metric tons, accounting for nearly one-third of global plastic production. China's plastic consumption is not limited to its own production, as it was the largest importer of plastic until 2018.

China's high plastic consumption and production have resulted in significant plastic waste generation. From 2004 to 2019, the country generated approximately 335.46 million tons of plastic waste, with 26.74 million tons produced in 2019 alone. In 2020, China produced about 60 million tons of plastic waste, of which only 16 million tons were recycled.

Recognising the urgent need to address plastic waste, China has implemented ambitious policies to tackle this issue. In January 2018, China permanently banned the import of non-industrial plastic waste. This was followed by the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Prevention and Control of Plastic Pollution" issued in 2020, which called for a gradual phase-out of non-degradable plastics and improvements in the production, consumption, recycling, and disposal mechanisms for plastic products.

China's roadmap to plastic waste management includes a series of policies with specific implications for different regions within the country. The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment are leading the efforts to reduce plastic waste emissions and improve plastic waste management. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, which, if left unmanaged, can cause long-term and deep ecological problems.

China's plastic waste recycling

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of plastic. In 2023, the country's total production of plastic products was around 75 million metric tons, accounting for nearly one-third of global plastic production. China's plastic consumption is so high that it consumes at least one-fifth of the world's plastics.

China's plastic waste is a significant environmental concern. In 2019, the country generated around 26.74 million tons of plastic waste, and in 2020, this figure increased to 60 million tons, according to the China National Resources Recycling Association. However, only 16 million tons of plastic waste were recycled in 2020.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, China has implemented a series of policies to reduce plastic waste emissions. In January 2018, the country permanently banned the import of non-industrial plastic waste. Additionally, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Prevention and Control of Plastic Pollution," calling for a gradual phase-out of non-degradable plastics and improvements in the production, consumption, recycling, and disposal mechanisms for plastic products.

China's efforts to address plastic waste are ambitious, and the country is taking extraordinary measures to achieve the goal of reducing plastic waste and its environmental impact.

China's plastic waste disposal

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of plastic. In 2023, China's total production of plastic products amounted to around 75 million metric tons, accounting for nearly one-third of global plastic production. China's plastic consumption is not limited to its own production, as it was the largest importer of plastic until 2018.

The country's high plastic consumption has resulted in significant plastic waste generation. From 2004 to 2019, China generated approximately 335.46 million tons of plastic waste, with 26.74 million tons produced in 2019 alone. In 2020, China produced about 60 million tons of plastic waste, of which only 16 million tons were recycled. This highlights the urgent need for improved plastic waste management in the country.

Recognising the severity of the issue, China has implemented ambitious policies to address plastic waste. In 2018, the country permanently banned the import of non-industrial plastic waste. Additionally, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Prevention and Control of Plastic Pollution," calling for a gradual phase-out of non-degradable plastics and the improvement of production, consumption, recycling, and disposal mechanisms for plastic products.

Despite these efforts, China continues to face challenges in plastic waste disposal. The country's vast plastic consumption and production contribute to severe plastic pollution, causing long-term ecological damage. As plastic slowly degrades in the environment, it poses deep environmental problems that require extraordinary efforts to mitigate. China's plastic waste management strategies are crucial in reducing the environmental impact of plastic pollution and protecting the country's natural resources.

Frequently asked questions