The Ever-Growing Plastic Production: Annual Statistics

Plastic is everywhere, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains. It is a material that has become integral to our lives, used in construction, vehicles, electronics, and agriculture. The world produces an alarming amount of plastic every year, with estimates ranging from 350 to 460 million metric tons annually. This has increased sharply over the last few decades, with global production doubling since the turn of the century. The proliferation of plastic has resulted in a significant waste problem, with a substantial amount of plastic ending up in our oceans and ecosystems, causing harm to wildlife and the environment.

Plastic production has increased nearly 230-fold since 1950

Plastic is a synthetic, organic polymer made from fossil fuels, such as gas and petroleum. It is a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in a wide range of applications, including construction, vehicles, electronics, agriculture, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. The proliferation of plastic products over the last several decades has been extraordinary, with global plastic production doubling in the last two decades.

The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was produced in 1907, marking the beginning of the global plastics industry. However, rapid growth in global plastic production did not occur until the 1950s. Since then, annual plastic production has increased nearly 230-fold, from just two million tonnes in 1950 to over 450 million tonnes in recent years. In 2019, global plastic production reached 460 million tonnes, and in 2021, it was estimated to be nearly 400 million metric tons.

The sharp increase in plastic production has had significant environmental consequences. Plastic waste is now found in almost every ecosystem on the planet, from the deepest ocean trenches to the tallest mountains. It is a major driver of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. An estimated one to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans each year, with Asia contributing the majority of these emissions.

The problem of plastic waste is exacerbated by the fact that plastic can take up to 500 years to decompose, depending on its composition and disposal method. Additionally, the plastic waste management system is inadequate, with only 9-10% of plastic waste being recycled globally. The rest is either landfilled, incinerated, or disposed of in illegal dumpsites, emitting harmful pollutants and contributing to environmental degradation.

To address the plastic waste crisis, ambitious reductions in plastic production, the phasing out of harmful subsidies, and the implementation of strong national plans and global treaties are necessary. Improving waste management practices, especially in low-to-middle-income countries, is also crucial to reducing the environmental impact of plastic pollution.

Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually

Plastic is everywhere, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, and even inside our bodies. The world currently produces over 400 million tons of plastic annually, with some sources placing this figure even higher, at 450 million or 460 million tons. This is a sharp increase from 1950 when only two million tons of plastic were produced globally. In the last ten years, we have produced more plastic than during the entire previous century.

The production of plastic has increased nearly 230-fold in the last 70 years, with global production doubling in the last two decades. This is due to the material's cheapness, versatility, and sterility, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, including construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. However, the consumption of this versatile material has also led to a plastic waste problem, with an estimated 20 million metric tons of plastic litter ending up in the environment each year.

The lifespan of plastic products averages about ten years, but they can take up to 500 years to decompose, depending on their composition and disposal method. Plastic waste is one of the biggest issues facing the planet today, with impacts on human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. It affects all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, contributing to climate change and driving biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.

To address the plastic waste problem, it is essential to reduce plastic production, phase out harmful subsidies, improve waste management practices, and adopt strong national plans and rigorous reporting and compliance mechanisms. A global plastics treaty is needed to reduce plastic production and improve circularity in supply and value chains. Additionally, improving the management of plastic waste, especially in poorer countries, is critical to tackling the issue of ocean plastic pollution.

50% of plastic is used once and thrown away

Plastic is everywhere. It is used in almost all consumer and industrial activities, from construction and vehicles to electronics and agriculture. The world produces over 450 million tons of plastic annually, with some estimates placing the figure at over 460 million tons. This is a nearly 230-fold increase in annual production since 1950, when only two million tons of plastic were produced.

Despite its versatility, plastic has become an environmental issue. Plastic pollution affects all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. It is a major driver of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and contributes to climate change. A significant portion of the world's plastic pollution is generated by single-use products such as bottles, caps, cigarettes, shopping bags, cups, and straws.

It is estimated that around 50% of plastic is used just once and thrown away. This "disposable" lifestyle has severe consequences for the environment. Over 10 million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year, and this figure is expected to increase significantly by 2040. Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but it is the mismanagement of waste in low-to-middle-income countries that poses the greatest risk of plastic leaking into the environment.

To address the issue of plastic pollution, we need to reduce plastic production, phase out harmful subsidies, eliminate problematic products and chemicals, and adopt strong national plans and rigorous reporting and compliance mechanisms. A global plastics treaty is essential because plastic pollution is a transboundary issue. Additionally, we need to improve the management of plastic waste, especially in poorer countries, and promote circular economy solutions like reuse and refill initiatives.

10 million tons of plastic is dumped in oceans each year

Plastic is a synthetic, organic polymer made from fossil fuels, such as gas and petroleum. It is a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in a wide range of applications, including construction, vehicles, electronics, agriculture, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. The production of plastic has sharply increased over the last 70 years, with the world now producing over 450 million tons of plastic annually. While plastic has added value to our lives, it has also become an environmental concern due to improper waste management.

Mismanaged plastic waste, which is not recycled, incinerated, or disposed of in sealed landfills, poses a significant risk of polluting the environment and entering our oceans. It is estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans each year. This plastic pollution affects all marine ecosystems and contributes to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. It also has detrimental effects on marine life, with 17% of the species affected by plastic listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

The presence of plastic in our oceans is a pressing environmental issue that requires worldwide cooperation. It threatens ocean health, marine species, food safety, human health, and coastal tourism. Plastic waste in the ocean comes from various sources, including littering, improper manufacturing processes, and industrial fishing. Rich countries tend to produce more plastic waste per person, but the mismanagement of waste, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries, contributes significantly to the risk of ocean pollution.

To address the issue of plastic in our oceans, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. This includes improving waste management practices, reducing plastic production and usage, promoting circular economy solutions, and holding plastic producers accountable for the harmful waste they generate. By supporting the development of fundamental waste collection and management systems in countries with rapidly growing economies, we can prevent plastic from entering our oceans and mitigate the devastating impacts on marine life and ecosystems.

The long-term solution lies in transforming the role of plastic in the worldwide economy and adopting a more sustainable approach to its production and usage. In the meantime, collective action on a global scale is essential to confront the challenge of plastic pollution and ensure a healthier future for our planet and its inhabitants.

Global plastic waste could triple by 2060

Plastic is everywhere. It's in our homes, our oceans, our food, and even our bodies. The proliferation of plastic products in the last several decades has been extraordinary, with an annual production of over 450 million metric tons of plastic. While plastic has added value to our lives as a cheap, versatile, and sterile material, it has also become one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time due to its persistence in the environment.

Plastic waste is projected to triple by 2060, according to the OECD's Global Plastics Outlook. This means that plastic waste will rise from 353 million tonnes in 2019 to over 1,000 million tonnes in the next four decades. The report highlights that two-thirds of this waste will come from packaging, consumer products, and textiles, with significant contributions also coming from construction and transport.

The surge in plastic waste is driven by two main factors: population growth and economic growth. As the world's population continues to expand, so does our demand for plastic products. Additionally, emerging economies are expected to see significant increases in plastic consumption, with a projected six-fold increase in Sub-Saharan Africa and a tripling in Asia.

To address this impending crisis, global efforts are being made to reduce plastic pollution. The World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) has brought together governments, businesses, and civil society to promote a circular economy for plastics and combat plastic pollution. UN member states have also pledged to negotiate a legally binding international agreement by 2024 to end plastic pollution. However, the OECD report emphasizes that bold new policies are needed to curb plastic leakage into the environment, which is expected to double by 2060.

Frequently asked questions