Plastic waste generation worldwide 2016, by select country
The United States generates more plastic waste than any other country in the world. In 2016, it is estimated that the U.S. produced 42 million metric tons of plastic waste. This was roughly double the amount of plastic waste produced in China.
Since 1950, plastic production worldwide has increased to more than nine billion metric tons. Of this huge amount, more than half has ended up as waste. Prior the the 1980's there was virtually no plastic recycling available, even in developed countries.
Since 1950, plastic production worldwide has increased to more than nine billion metric tons. Of this huge amount, more than half has ended up as waste. Prior the the 1980's there was virtually no plastic recycling available, even in developed countries.
