CO₂ emissions from plastic products manufacturing in the United Kingdom 1990-2021

The plastic product manufacturing sector in the United Kingdom produced roughly 3.32 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2021. This was an increase of nearly six percent compared to the previous year. Emissions from this sector have fluctuated in recent decades, but experienced an overall reduction of more than 20 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.