Global plastic waste generation increased seven-fold between 1980 and 2019, reaching 353 million metric tons in the latter year. Packaging was consistently the main source of plastic waste during this period, reaching 142 million metric tons in 2019. Plastic waste is a major environmental issue around the world, with huge quantities leaking into marine ecosystems.
Plastic waste generation worldwide from 1980 to 2019, by application
(in million metric tons)
Characteristic
Clothing
Other textiles
Construction
Consumer products
Electrical/Electronic
Tires
Vehicles
Packaging
Other
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OECD. (June 3, 2022). Plastic waste generation worldwide from 1980 to 2019, by application (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339124/global-plastic-waste-generation-by-application/
OECD. "Plastic waste generation worldwide from 1980 to 2019, by application (in million metric tons)." Chart. June 3, 2022. Statista. Accessed July 27, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339124/global-plastic-waste-generation-by-application/
OECD. (2022). Plastic waste generation worldwide from 1980 to 2019, by application (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 27, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339124/global-plastic-waste-generation-by-application/
OECD. "Plastic Waste Generation Worldwide from 1980 to 2019, by Application (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 3 Jun 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339124/global-plastic-waste-generation-by-application/
OECD, Plastic waste generation worldwide from 1980 to 2019, by application (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339124/global-plastic-waste-generation-by-application/ (last visited July 27, 2024)
Plastic waste generation worldwide from 1980 to 2019, by application (in million metric tons) [Graph], OECD, June 3, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339124/global-plastic-waste-generation-by-application/