Omar Khalid
Plastic pollution is a pressing global crisis. Humans produce over 400 million tons of plastic waste annually, with only 9% of all plastics recycled each year. The plastic crisis disproportionately impacts developing nations and low-income communities, who often lack the resources for effective waste management. While larger, more populous countries tend to produce more plastic waste, the ranking changes when adjusted for per capita production. India, Nigeria, and Indonesia are among the top contributors to plastic waste entering the environment, while Thailand is the sixth-largest contributor to ocean plastic waste. China, despite being the largest producer of plastic waste in 2010, has since taken significant steps to reduce plastic waste, with a notable decrease in production by 2016. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are also major producers of plastic waste, often exporting it to Asian countries for recycling or disposal, which can distort waste generation statistics. Multinational corporations prioritizing convenience over sustainability are key contributors to the plastic crisis. To address this crisis, global cooperation is essential, along with a focus on reducing virgin plastic manufacturing and creating a circular economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries with the highest plastic consumption | China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Turkey |
| Continents with the highest plastic consumption | Asia (81% of ocean plastic), North America (4.5% of ocean plastic), Europe (0.6% of ocean plastic) |
| Factors contributing to plastic pollution | Mismanaged plastic waste, rivers that empty into oceans, poor waste management infrastructure, packaging in developing countries, corporations' use of plastic packaging |
| Efforts to reduce plastic consumption | Bans on single-use plastics, reusable alternatives, reduction of plastic straws and plastic rings, foreign investments in waste management infrastructure |
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What You'll Learn
Countries with the most plastic waste per capita
While larger, more populous countries tend to produce more plastic waste overall, the ranking changes significantly when the results are filtered to show the biggest producers per capita (i.e. per person). Richer countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but what's most important for plastic pollution is how much of this waste is mismanaged. Mismanaged waste refers to plastic that is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills.
Developing nations are becoming plastic pollution hotspots, as they are producing more waste than they can effectively manage. In 2020, researchers from the University of Leeds calculated that over 52 million tons of plastic waste enters the environment every year, with around 70% of this waste coming from just 20 countries. India, Nigeria, and Indonesia top the list of nations where the greatest volume of plastic rubbish is entering the environment.
In 2016, China's overall plastic waste production had fallen to 21.60 million tons, a reduction of nearly 28 million tons. Despite being one of the largest overall producers of plastic waste, China's per capita production of plastic waste was one of the lowest in the world in 2016 at 15.6 kilograms a year per person. The United States was the largest producer of plastic waste in the world in 2016, with 34.02 million tons. However, in 2010, China produced the largest quantity of plastic at 59.08 million tons of plastic waste, nearly double that of the United States, which was the second-highest producer at 37.83 million tons.
Brazil is the fourth-largest producer of plastic waste, generating about 10.68 million tons of plastic waste per year. It is estimated that Brazil recycles only 1.28% of its total plastic waste, with the majority ending up incinerated, buried in landfills, or polluting the land and sea. Japan generated roughly 4.88 tons of plastic waste in 2016, with its obsession with hygiene causing many foods to be wrapped and bagged in multiple layers of plastic. Pakistan generated about 6.41 million tons of plastic waste in 2010, making it the sixth-largest producer of plastic waste, but fell to 16th in 2016 with 2.73 million tons.
Turkey generated about 5.6 billion tons of plastic waste in 2010, with an average use of 440 plastic bags per person per year. As of January 1, 2019, the country banned single-use plastic bags and transitioned to reusable and paper bags to reduce plastic pollution. Russia's plastic waste production has been increasing, rising from about 5.84 million tons in 2010 to nearly 8.47 million tons in 2016. Local and volunteer-led efforts have started in Russia to combat plastic pollution, but these efforts need to be scaled up to be effective due to the country's size and population.
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Countries with the worst plastic waste mismanagement
While many high-income countries generate high amounts of plastic waste per person, they are also typically better at processing it safely. Middle-income and low-income countries that are still developing their infrastructure tend to produce a higher percentage of mismanaged waste plastic, which is more likely to find its way from land into the ocean.
A 2017 study found that 80% of mismanaged plastic in the ocean came from just five Asian countries: China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. An updated study released in 2021 found similar results: In 2010, China produced the largest quantity of plastic at 59.08 million tons of plastic waste, nearly double that of the next-highest producer (the United States at 37.83 million tons). By 2016, China’s overall plastic waste production had fallen to 21.60 million tons, a reduction of nearly 28 million tons. Despite being one of the largest overall producers of plastic waste, China’s per capita production of plastic waste was one of the lowest in the world in 2016 at 15.6 kilograms a year per person.
India topped the list as the biggest polluter worldwide with a staggering 126.5 million kg each year that ends up in the ocean. China and Indonesia also topped the list as the biggest plastic polluters in our oceans. Other countries that are responsible for the highest amount of plastic pollution in our oceans include Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, Egypt, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Brazil, the fifth-largest country in the world, is also its fourth-largest producer of plastic waste. Brazil generates about 10.68 million tons of plastic waste per year and is estimated to recycle only 1.28% of its total plastic waste, meaning that the overwhelming majority ends up incinerated, buried in landfills, or polluting the land and sea.
Nigeria fails to recycle around 88% of plastic waste. Greenpeace called Nigeria a “hotbed of plastic pollution,” attributing issues to the country's size and scale. The report adds that more than 41,000 Nigerians died from cancer-related illnesses in 2018, and the open burning of plastic waste may be contributing to this.
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Countries with the most plastic waste overall
While many high-income countries generate high amounts of plastic waste per person, they are also typically better at processing it safely. Middle-income and low-income countries that are still developing their infrastructure tend to produce a higher percentage of mismanaged plastic waste, which is more likely to end up in the ocean. Richer countries can contribute to improving waste management infrastructure in these countries through foreign investment.
In 2017, it was found that 80% of mismanaged plastic in the ocean came from just five Asian countries: China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. An updated study released in 2021 found that in 2010, China produced the largest quantity of plastic at 59.08 million tons of plastic waste, nearly double that of the United States, which was the second-highest producer at 37.83 million tons. China's plastic waste production fell to 21.60 million tons by 2016, a reduction of nearly 28 million tons. Despite this, China remained one of the largest overall producers of plastic waste.
India is also a significant contributor to plastic pollution, with 126.5 million kg of plastic waste ending up in the ocean each year. The Philippines is another major contributor, accounting for 36.4% of the world's plastic ocean trash, with seven of the ten rivers that funnel the most plastic into the ocean located within the country.
Other countries that are among the worst plastic consumers and polluters include the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, and Russia.
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Countries with the most plastic waste in oceans
Plastic waste in the ocean is a growing problem, with an estimated 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. According to research, the top five countries producing the most ocean plastic are in Asia, contributing to 69.8% of the world's plastic trash in oceans.
The Philippines alone accounts for 36.4% of the world's plastic ocean trash. In 2019, a young whale washed up on the shore of the Philippines with over 88 pounds of plastic trash in its stomach, which ultimately led to its death. Other countries with significant contributions to ocean plastic waste include India, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Brazil. These countries are characterized by a lack of adequate waste management infrastructure, which leads to plastic ending up in rivers and oceans.
Among the developed countries, the United States ranks fourth as the worst ocean polluter of plastic. However, it is important to note that the United States is the highest per capita creator of plastic waste. Other developed countries like Japan and the United Kingdom are also on the list of worst polluters, but their contributions are much lower than those of developing countries.
To address the issue of ocean plastic waste, it is crucial to focus on providing support to developing countries to establish effective waste management facilities. Additionally, reducing the production and use of plastic, as well as improving recycling and waste processing practices, are essential steps in mitigating the impact of plastic on our oceans.
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Countries with the most plastic waste in waterways
The world is facing a plastic pollution crisis. Since 1950, humans have produced over 8 billion tons of plastic, with more than half of it ending up in landfills and only 9% being recycled. A large percentage of unrecycled, non-incinerated, or non-landfilled plastic ends up in oceans, injuring marine life and polluting the environment.
Several factors contribute to plastic pollution in waterways. One significant factor is the mismanagement of plastic waste, particularly in developing nations with limited economic resources for effective waste management. Rivers that flow into oceans, such as those in Asia, can carry plastic waste from land into the ocean, making these countries leading contributors to ocean plastic pollution.
Among the countries with the most plastic waste in waterways, China stands out as the world's largest producer of plastic. In 2010, China generated 59.08 million tons of plastic waste, and while its overall production decreased to 21.60 million tons by 2016, it still contributes significantly to ocean plastic pollution. Other Asian countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, are also major contributors, with 80% of mismanaged plastic in the ocean originating from these nations, according to a 2017 study.
India, with 126.5 million kg of plastic pollution in the oceans annually, is another significant contributor. The United States, despite its advanced waste management systems, is not exempt from blame, ranking as the fourth-worst ocean polluter among economically developed countries. Brazil, Russia, and Turkey are also notable mentions, with Brazil being the fourth-largest producer of plastic waste globally.
While high-income countries often generate substantial plastic waste per person, they are generally better equipped to process it safely. In contrast, middle-income and low-income countries with developing infrastructure struggle with mismanaged waste plastic, which ultimately finds its way into oceans.
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Frequently asked questions
India generates 9.3 million tons of plastic pollution each year, accounting for one-fifth of global plastic emissions.
India, China, and Indonesia are the biggest plastic polluters in the oceans. India produces 126.5 million kg of plastic waste per year, China 70.7 million kg, and Indonesia 53.3 million kg.
Iceland, Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Luxembourg, Kuwait, the United States, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Canada consume the most plastic per capita.
