This statistic displays the distribution of microplastics losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, with a breakdown by geographical region. As of that year, around three percent of the global losses of microplastics via washing textiles and clothing took place in Western Europe.
Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region
Characteristic
NAFTA (including rest of North America)
Western Europe
Japan
Central Europe and CIS*
Asia (excluding Japan, India and China)
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Oceania
India
China
Middle East
Microbeads from cosmetics and personal care products
10%
3%
1%
6%
17%
16%
8%
1%
9%
22%
6%
Loss of rubber from tire abrasion
20%
13%
2%
12%
14%
3%
6%
1%
6%
18%
5%
Loss through weathering of marine coatings
22%
18%
4%
4%
6%
6%
10%
0%
4%
19%
5%
Loss via washing of textiles
13%
3%
1%
8%
20%
3%
5%
1%
12%
27%
6%
Road markings
22%
18%
4%
4%
6%
6%
10%
0%
4%
19%
5%
City dust
3%
1%
0%
5%
21%
22%
8%
0%
14%
20%
6%
Loss of plastic during upstream plastic production*
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
UNEP, & GEF, & Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. (October 23, 2018). Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
UNEP, und GEF, und Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. "Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region ." Chart. October 23, 2018. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
UNEP, GEF, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. (2018). Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
UNEP, and GEF, and Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. "Distribution of Microplastic Losses to The Environment Worldwide as of 2018, by Region ." Statista, Statista Inc., 23 Oct 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
UNEP & GEF & Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region [Graph], UNEP, & GEF, & Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, October 23, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
