The plastic product manufacturing sector in the United Kingdom produced around 2.91 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2022. This was a slight decrease compared to the previous year. Emissions from this sector have fluctuated in recent decades, but experienced an overall reduction of more than 34 percent compared to 1990 levels.
Plastics consumption
The United Kingdom consumes huge volumes of plastic products every year, especially plastic packaging items such as bottles, pots, and trays. In 2021, the UK accounted for nearly seven percent of plastic demand in the European Union.
Plastic waste
In recent years, the plastic industry has faced a public backlash over the amount of waste that it produces globally. This is especially the case for single-use plastics. The United Kingdom is one of largest single-use plastic waste generating countries worldwide. Nevertheless, according to a recent survey conducted across Europe, about 80 percent of adults in Great Britain agreed that single-use plastics should be banned as soon as possible.
Carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of plastic products in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2022
(in 1,000 metric tons)
Figures represent emissions caused by UK residents and businesses whether in the United Kingdom or abroad, but exclude emissions within the United Kingdom which can be attributed to overseas residents and businesses.
Sector and industry classification is based on the NACE code, which is the industry standard classification system for economic activities in the European Community.
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Office for National Statistics (UK). (June 5, 2024). Carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of plastic products in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/485966/co2-emissions-from-the-manufacture-of-plastic-products-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of plastic products in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons)." Chart. June 5, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/485966/co2-emissions-from-the-manufacture-of-plastic-products-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2024). Carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of plastic products in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/485966/co2-emissions-from-the-manufacture-of-plastic-products-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Carbon Dioxide Emissions from The Manufacture of Plastic Products in The United Kingdom from 1990 to 2022 (in 1,000 Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/485966/co2-emissions-from-the-manufacture-of-plastic-products-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK), Carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of plastic products in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/485966/co2-emissions-from-the-manufacture-of-plastic-products-uk/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of plastic products in the United Kingdom from 1990 to 2022 (in 1,000 metric tons) [Graph], Office for National Statistics (UK), June 5, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/485966/co2-emissions-from-the-manufacture-of-plastic-products-uk/
