An estimated 353 million metric tons of plastic waste were generated worldwide in 2019. While 55 million metric tons of this total were collected for recycling, just nine percent, or 33 million metric tons, were recycled. Almost half of global plastic waste was landfilled that year, while 82 million metric tons were mismanaged and littered. Mismanaged plastic waste typically leaks into rivers, oceans, and other waterways, devastating marine life and ecosystems.
Lifecycle of plastic waste worldwide in 2019
(in million metric tons)
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OECD. (June 3, 2022). Lifecycle of plastic waste worldwide in 2019 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357641/plastic-waste-lifecycle-worldwide/
OECD. "Lifecycle of plastic waste worldwide in 2019 (in million metric tons)." Chart. June 3, 2022. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357641/plastic-waste-lifecycle-worldwide/
OECD. (2022). Lifecycle of plastic waste worldwide in 2019 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357641/plastic-waste-lifecycle-worldwide/
OECD. "Lifecycle of Plastic Waste Worldwide in 2019 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 3 Jun 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357641/plastic-waste-lifecycle-worldwide/
OECD, Lifecycle of plastic waste worldwide in 2019 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357641/plastic-waste-lifecycle-worldwide/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Lifecycle of plastic waste worldwide in 2019 (in million metric tons) [Graph], OECD, June 3, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357641/plastic-waste-lifecycle-worldwide/
