As of 2018, some 5.274 million metric tons of macroplastics were lost to the environment worldwide each year. A further 3.014 million metric tons of microplastics are lost to the environment every year. In total, 8.288 million metric tons of plastics, in large and small pieces, enters into the world's natural environment on an annual basis. This accounted for a two percent share of the plastics produced at that point in time.
Volume of macro- and microplastics lost to the environment worldwide as of 2018
(in million metric tons)
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). Volume of macro- and microplastics lost to the environment worldwide as of 2018 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1192551/macro-microplastics-volume-lost-to-environment/
UNEP, und GEF, und Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. "Volume of macro- and microplastics lost to the environment worldwide as of 2018 (in million metric tons)." Chart. October 23, 2018. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1192551/macro-microplastics-volume-lost-to-environment/
UNEP, GEF, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. (2018). Volume of macro- and microplastics lost to the environment worldwide as of 2018 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1192551/macro-microplastics-volume-lost-to-environment/
UNEP, and GEF, and Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. "Volume of Macro- and Microplastics Lost to The Environment Worldwide as of 2018 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 23 Oct 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1192551/macro-microplastics-volume-lost-to-environment/
UNEP & GEF & Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Volume of macro- and microplastics lost to the environment worldwide as of 2018 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1192551/macro-microplastics-volume-lost-to-environment/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Volume of macro- and microplastics lost to the environment worldwide as of 2018 (in million metric tons) [Graph], UNEP, & GEF, & Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, October 23, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1192551/macro-microplastics-volume-lost-to-environment/
