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 management varies greatly by country and region. For example, the United States landfilled roughly 70 percent of its plastic waste in 2019, while just nine percent was collected for recycling. This is below the global average recycling rate of 15 percent. In comparison, OECD EU countries, China, India, and OECD Asian countries (Japan and South Korea) had above-average recycling rates in 2019. Developing countries are also more likely to mismanage and litter a larger share of plastic waste than developed regions. India, for example, mismanaged and littered 43 percent of its plastic waste in 2019, compared to five percent in OECD EU countries.

The dataset contains year- and state-wise compiled data on the quantity of plastic waste generated in India.

Note:

The CPCB compiles and publishes the annual data about plastic waste based on the same data provided by states. Several of the states have not reported plastic waste generated data from the year 2010-11 to 2017-18. Therefore, the dataset has not given All India figures of the Plastic Waste generated during the same years

Plastic waste is one of the main factors causing marine environmental pollution and affecting biodiversity, and identification and detection of plastic waste is the premise of removal and treatment. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is gradually applied to the identification and classification of plastic waste because of its advantages of simplicity, convenience and safe operation, but the current visual interpretation method is inefficient and cumbersome. To support the detection of plastic waste, researchers have developed various automatic and semi-automatic algorithms.Dataset is an automatic detection service.

Here we provide a per-country results summary spreadsheet and high resolution global maps of total and mismanaged plastic waste generation as presented in Lebreton and Andrady (2019, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-018-0212-7). LebretonAndrady2019_SummaryDatasheet.xlsxSummary results for the 188 countries investigated in the study. The file contains three tabs for lower, midpoint and higher estimate for plastic waste generation as well as an additional tab for per-country waste statistics and population + GDP forecast used by the predictive model. The highlighted cells in the Country Statistics tab are model predicted values where data was not available.LebretonAndrady2019_TotalPlasticWaste.tifTotal municipal plastic waste generation in kg.y-1 in 2015, computed on a global 30 by 30 arc seconds resolution grid.LebretonAndrady2019_MismanagedPlasticWaste.tifMismanaged Plastic Waste (MPW) generation in kg.y-1 in 2015, computed on a global 30 by 30 arc seconds resolution grid.Updated: -fixed negative waste generation values-removed rounding issues from .tiff file compression

Any discarded plastic (organic, or synthetic, material derived from polymers, resins or cellulose) generated by any Municipal and household similar process, or by consumers.

Source URL: https://plasticinformation.org/table-view/prism-data-repository

In 2025, the per capita plastic waste volume in Hong Kong was estimated to amount to around *** kilograms. Singapore had the second-highest per capita plastic waste volume in the Asia-Pacific region that year, an estimated ** kilograms. Waste production and waste trade Plastic waste is a global issue, with plastic waste generation projected to triple by 2060. Currently, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for over half of the global production of plastic materials. In addition to locally generated plastic waste in the region, many countries in South and Southeast Asia are major destinations for plastic waste exports from Europe and the United States. Malaysia and Vietnam in particular import the highest volume of plastic waste among Asia-Pacific countries. How to deal with waste? Next to the sheer volume of plastics and plastic waste in the region, inadequate collection and processing infrastructures of waste are the main drivers of plastic pollution in many APAC countries. For example, while India's official per-capita waste generation is below the global average, this number is estimated to be significantly higher. The discrepancy stems from a lack of waste collection and a booming informal sector, leading to almost half of the generated plastic waste in India being mismanaged in its treatment. Countries like Japan and South Korea are also still generating large amounts of single plastics and are seeking to tackle the issue of managing the waste volume. Efforts of the countries’ respective governments have led to increasing recycling rates over the last couple of years, with both countries currently positioned at the lower end of the Mismanaged Waste Index for plastic in the Asia-Pacific region.

We provide two files, an excel file named: "Global data set on micro- and mesoplastic loads in marine sediments" and a PDF file named "Metadata-Dataset". The excel file provides the dataset and the list of references from which the data were extracted or derived. The PDF file provides a detailed description of the dataset and of the methods used to extract and derive data.

At over 4.9 million metric tons annually, most of the plastic waste in Japan was recycled using the thermal recycling method in 2023. This method involves incinerating plastic waste to generate energy. Despite advanced filtering technologies, the incineration process emits greenhouse gases, contributing to air pollution and global warming. Only a small amount of plastic waste undergoes material recycling, where it is reused to manufacture new plastic products.  Japan's packaging waste and recycling efforts The packaging sector is the largest generator of single-use plastic waste globally. In Japan, plastic constitutes a significant portion of the containers and packaging waste, with plastic containers and packaging being the largest contributors with almost half the share. Japanese citizens usually sort their waste before collection, with some municipalities having up to 45 subcategories of waste. Plastic, PET bottles, aluminum, and glass are usually collected separately to be recycled. As awareness for sustainability grows, many Japanese people are making efforts to reduce plastic waste, mostly by using reusable bags, also known as "eco bags", and avoiding plastic bag usage. Japan's rising recycling rates amidst persistent plastic pollution Japan’s plastic waste recycling rate has been on the rise in recent years, reaching around 87 percent. However, plastic waste pollution remains a prominent environmental issue. Plastics can take up to 1,000 years to degrade, during which they infiltrate marine ecosystems, damage soil, and contaminate groundwater, posing serious health risks to both animals and humans. In response to this issue, Japan has implemented various measures to reduce plastic waste. These include initiatives aiming for all plastic packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2025, with some companies replacing plastic with paper alternatives. 

This interactive map shows plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean in 2010 by country, shaded according to various parameters related to plastic waste generated by populations living within 50 km of the coast. Because people’s activities nearest the coast are responsible for most of the plastic going into the water, data analysis is limited to a 50km strip of the coastline. Plastic debris in the marine environment is widely documented, but the quantity of plastic entering the ocean from waste generated on land is unknown. By linking worldwide data on solid waste, population density, and economic status, the mass of land-based plastic waste entering the ocean is estimated. 275 million metric tons (MT) of plastic waste was calculated as generated in 192 coastal countries in 2010, with 4.8 to 12.7 million MT entering the ocean. Population size and the quality of waste management systems largely determine which countries contribute the greatest mass of uncaptured waste available to become plastic marine debris. Without waste management infrastructure improvements, the cumulative quantity of plastic waste available to enter the ocean from land is predicted to increase by an order of magnitude by 2025.Source: University of Georgia

This dataset has an article on plastics that make their way into the ocean and data on plastics and other waste in the Pacific Island region.

The recycling rate of synthetic resin waste in South Korea was around ** percent in 2023. Except for 2019, the plastic recycling rate has stayed between ** percent and ** percent over the past decade, while the average recycling rate for municipal waste in South Korea stood at over ** percent. In 2019, the scope and name of the category were changed to synthetic resin waste and dropped to around ** percent of the recycling rate. Plastic waste in South Korea Over half a million tons of single-use plastic bags were estimated to have been used in South Korea in 2020 along with more than ****** tons of PET bottles. The government and companies have taken steps to try and reduce plastic consumption. For example, the government now charges fees for single-use plastic bags and recommends paper bags instead. Companies are creating plastic products that use less plastic, such as water bottles with slimmer caps. Plastic waste management and treatment In 2022, over 45 percent of plastic waste was recycled as material or as energy. The rest were either simply incinerated or thrown into landfills. South Korea seems to have a capable waste recycling system, with citizens separating waste before throwing it out. The problem is that after citizens do their job, waste management companies must further separate plastic waste. Not all plastic waste is the same; a PET bottle is different from a plastic cup. There are even plastics composed of several different plastics. In many cases, companies simply cannot afford to properly separate plastics, and it causes that a lot of plastic waste is simply discarded.

Title: Mismanaged plastic waste escaping to oceansDescription: This indicator shows the estimated amount of mismanaged plastic waste that leaves the given country to enter the ocean and remains in the ocean during the modelling period. The modelling period represents years 2010-2019.The indicator values are based on modelled data combining land-based sources of plastic debris and their modelled movements in the rivers and ocean. The plastic waste data are derived from global data on municipal solid waste. The used studies estimate the amount of mismanaged waste as well the part of this waste which enters the ocean, either directly or via rivers. In this context, mismanaged plastic waste is defined as plastic waste material that is either littered or inadequately disposed. Inadequately disposed waste is not formally managed and includes disposal in dumps or open, uncontrolled landfills, where it is not fully contained. Mismanaged waste could therefore eventually enter the ocean via inland waterways, wastewater outflows, and transport by wind or tides.To estimate the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean, the model framework combines data on waste generated per capita annually, the percentage of waste that is plastic, and percentage of plastic waste that is managed. This amount becomes available for the ocean movement model, where the movement of plastic debris in the ocean is modelled based on currents, waves, and wind.The values account for the accumulated amount in tonnes over the modelling period of 2010-2019.NB. The plastic debris is released at the entry to the ocean and therefore the indicator only includes countries with a coastline.This indicator shows modelled data based on OceanParcels v2.1.5, which is a state-of-the-art Lagrangian ocean analysis tool. The tool uses ocean circulation model outputs from GOFS3.1. This study considered only land-based sources of plastic debris, excluding potential ocean-based sources. The sources for plastic entering the ocean are based on Jambeck et al. (2015), Lebreton et al. (2017), Schmidt et al. (2017), and Lebreton and Andrady (2019). Contributions of mismanaged plastic waste are divided into direct inputs from coastal regions (within 50 km of the coastline – covering populations most likely to generate most of the waste becoming marine debris) and indirect input from inland regions through rivers. For direct inputs, particles are released from grid cells, and for indirect inputs particles are released at the river mouth. Particles are then moved in the ocean through the processes of ocean currents, surface wave induced stokes drift, and wind drag.Study:https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.667591/fullTime Period : 2010 -2019Frequency Of Update : NoneGeo-coverage: GlobalSub Layers:GlobalOcean Litter Movement Between CountriesGlobalOcean Litter – Country Summary 10 Year StatisticsGlobalOcean Litter Model - 5 year trajectory of 2010 January released particlesOriginal Data Source

Disposable Plastic Waste Market Outlook

The global disposable plastic waste market size was estimated to be USD 32.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 47.1 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period. This market growth is primarily driven by increasing awareness of plastic pollution and stringent government regulations aimed at reducing plastic waste.

A significant driver for the growth of the disposable plastic waste market is the rising consumer awareness regarding environmental conservation. With growing information dissemination through various platforms about the detrimental effects of plastic waste on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the demand for sustainable waste management solutions is on the rise. Additionally, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and environmental activists are playing a crucial role in educating the public and pushing for stricter regulations on plastic use, thereby boosting market growth.

Technological advancements in waste management and recycling processes are also contributing to the market expansion. Innovations such as advanced sorting technologies, chemical recycling, and biodegradable plastics are improving the efficiency of plastic waste management systems. These technologies not only enhance the recycling rates but also reduce the overall environmental footprint of plastic disposal, making waste management processes more sustainable and economically viable.

Furthermore, government policies and regulations are pivotal in propelling the market. Several countries have implemented bans on single-use plastics, introduced plastic taxes, and set ambitious recycling targets. For instance, the European Union has set a goal to recycle at least 55% of plastic packaging waste by 2030. Such regulatory frameworks are compelling industries to adopt greener practices and invest in sustainable packaging solutions, thereby driving the market forward.

Plastic Waste Bins play a crucial role in the effective management of disposable plastic waste. These bins are essential tools in both residential and commercial settings, providing a designated space for the collection and segregation of plastic waste. By encouraging the use of dedicated bins for plastic waste, communities can improve recycling rates and reduce contamination in waste streams. The availability of plastic waste bins in public spaces, offices, and homes facilitates better waste management practices, ensuring that plastic waste is properly sorted and directed towards recycling facilities. This not only aids in reducing the environmental footprint of plastic waste but also supports the circular economy by enabling the reuse of materials.

In terms of regional outlook, Asia Pacific holds the largest share in the disposable plastic waste market, driven by high consumption rates and growing environmental concerns in countries like China and India. North America and Europe also represent significant market shares due to stringent regulatory norms and advanced waste management infrastructure. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are emerging markets with potential growth opportunities due to increasing urbanization and industrialization.

Product Type Analysis

The disposable plastic waste market is segmented by product type into bags, bottles, straws, cutlery, packaging, and others. Among these, plastic bags constitute a significant portion of the market due to their widespread use in retail and household applications. Single-use plastic bags are highly prevalent due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness, making them a major contributor to plastic waste. However, many regions are now imposing bans and levies on plastic bags to curb their environmental impact, which in turn is fostering the development of alternative materials.

Plastic bottles form another major segment, primarily driven by the beverage industry. The high consumption of bottled water and other beverages contributes significantly to plastic waste. Efforts are being made to improve recycling rates of plastic bottles through deposit return schemes and increased consumer awareness. Innovations in bottle design, such as the use of recycled plastics and biodegradable materials, are expected to mitigate the environmental impact of this segment.

Straws and cutlery, though smaller in volume compared to bags and bottles, are significant contri

Title: Mismanaged plastic waste escaping to coastsDescription: This indicator shows the estimated amount of mismanaged plastic waste that leaves the given country to enter the ocean and subsequently is beached on the coasts of other countries. The indicator values are based on modelled data combining land-based sources of plastic debris and their modelled movements in the rivers and ocean. The plastic waste data are derived from global data on municipal solid waste. The used studies estimate the amount of mismanaged waste as well the part of this waste which enters the ocean, either directly or via rivers. In this context, mismanaged plastic waste is defined as plastic waste material that is either littered or inadequately disposed. Inadequately disposed waste is not formally managed and includes disposal in dumps or open, uncontrolled landfills, where it is not fully contained. Mismanaged waste could therefore eventually enter the ocean via inland waterways, wastewater outflows, and transport by wind or tides. To estimate the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean, the model framework combines data on waste generated per capita annually, the percentage of waste that is plastic, and percentage of plastic waste that is managed. This amount becomes available for the ocean movement model, where the movement of plastic debris in the ocean is modelled based on currents, waves, and wind. The values account for the accumulated amount in tonnes over the modelling period of 2010-2019.NB. The plastic debris is released at the entry to the ocean and therefore the indicator only includes countries with a coastline.This indicator shows modelled data based on OceanParcels v2.1.5, which is a state-of-the-art Lagrangian ocean analysis tool. The tool uses ocean circulation model outputs from GOFS3.1. This study considered only land-based sources of plastic debris, excluding potential ocean-based sources. The sources for plastic entering the ocean are based on Jambeck et al. (2015), Lebreton et al. (2017), Schmidt et al. (2017), and Lebreton and Andrady (2019). Contributions of mismanaged plastic waste are divided into direct inputs from coastal regions (within 50 km of the coastline – covering populations most likely to generate most of the waste becoming marine debris) and indirect input from inland regions through rivers. For direct inputs, particles are released from grid cells, and for indirect inputs particles are released at the river mouth. Particles are then moved in the ocean through the processes of ocean currents, surface wave induced stokes drift, and wind drag. Time Period: 2010 -2019Frequency Of Update: NoneGeo-coverage: GlobalSub Layers:GlobalOcean Litter Movement Between CountriesGlobalOcean Litter – Country Summary 10 Year StatisticsGlobalOcean Litter Model - 5 year trajectory of 2010 January released particlesOriginal Data Source

Title: Mismanaged plastic waste from the ocean reaching national coastsDescription: This indicator shows the amount of mismanaged plastic waste that is beached on the coasts of the given country from the ocean during the modelling period. This indicator accounts for mismanaged plastic waste that originates both nationally and from other countries.The indicator values are based on modelled data combining land-based sources of plastic debris and their modelled movements in the rivers and ocean. The plastic waste data are derived from global data on municipal solid waste. The used studies estimate the amount of mismanaged waste as well the part of this waste which enters the ocean, either directly or via rivers. In this context, mismanaged plastic waste is defined as plastic waste material that is either littered or inadequately disposed. Inadequately disposed waste is not formally managed and includes disposal in dumps or open, uncontrolled landfills, where it is not fully contained. Mismanaged waste could therefore eventually enter the ocean via inland waterways, wastewater outflows, and transport by wind or tides.To estimate the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean, the model framework combines data on waste generated per capita annually, the percentage of waste that is plastic, and percentage of plastic waste that is managed. This amount becomes available for the ocean movement model, where the movement of plastic debris in the ocean is modelled based on currents, waves, and wind. The values account for the accumulated amount in tonnes over the modelling period of 2010-2019.NB. The plastic debris is released at the entry to the ocean and therefore the indicator only includes countries with a coastline.This indicator shows modelled data based on OceanParcels v2.1.5, which is a state-of-the-art Lagrangian ocean analysis tool. The tool uses ocean circulation model outputs from GOFS3.1. This study considered only land-based sources of plastic debris, excluding potential ocean-based sources. The sources for plastic entering the ocean are based on Jambeck et al. (2015), Lebreton et al. (2017), Schmidt et al. (2017), and Lebreton and Andrady (2019). Contributions of mismanaged plastic waste are divided into direct inputs from coastal regions (within 50 km of the coastline – covering populations most likely to generate most of the waste becoming marine debris) and indirect input from inland regions through rivers. For direct inputs, particles are released from grid cells, and for indirect inputs particles are released at the river mouth. Particles are then moved in the ocean through the processes of ocean currents, surface wave induced stokes drift, and wind drag.Study:https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.667591/fullOriginal Data SourceTime Period : 2010 -2019Frequency Of Update : NoneGeo-coverage: GlobalSub Layers:GlobalOcean Litter Movement Between CountriesGlobalOcean Litter – Country Summary 10 Year StatisticsGlobalOcean Litter Model - 5 year trajectory of 2010 January released particles

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global plastic waste management market size was USD 37.7 billion in 2024 and will expand at CAGR of 3.3% from 2024 to 2031. Market Dynamics of Plastic Waste Management Market

Key Drivers for Plastic Waste Management Market

Increase in Different Initiatives - It is predicted that the expansion of government programs and manufacturing initiatives will pave the path for market expansion. Many food and beverage companies are concentrating on raising the percentage of recycled plastic in their bottles as part of their sustainable strategy. For instance, Coca-Cola said in July 2017 that it would triple the quantity of recycled plastic used in its bottles. Presently, recycled plastic makes up almost 25% of bottles. This will have doubled to 50% by the end of 2020. Thus, during the projected period, these factors will support market growth.
.
Regulations and Partnerships.

Key Restraints for Plastic Waste Management Market

Absence of the Necessary Framework for Collection and Segregation.
Plastic Recycling Is a Pricey Process.

Introduction of the Plastic Waste Management Market

The term "plastic waste management" describes the techniques and protocols used to recycle plastic garbage as opposed to disposing of it in landfills or causing other environmental pollution. Reducing the amount of virgin plastic used in product manufacturing helps with plastic waste management. Due in large part to the rising integration of cutting-edge technologies like big data and machine learning (ML) in recycling facilities and waste management systems, the market for plastic waste management has been expanding. Furthermore, over the projected period, the growth of the global plastic waste management market is anticipated to be fueled by growing awareness of the negative environmental effects of improperly disposing of plastic trash, particularly its impact on marine habitats.

The dataset includes coastal litter data acquired through voluntary environmental NGO initiatives, used to investigate the coastal pollution in Cyprus from 2014 to 2018— a period characterized by inactive national monitoring efforts, infrequent beach cleanups, and low public awareness of marine litter issues. This dataset provides the earliest documentation of coastal litter densities in Cyprus, while also underscoring the harmful and variable nature of certain types of debris. Although pollution rates were persistent over this timeframe, mainly driven by recreational activities, deliberate dumping, and sea-based transport, litter quantities declined in 2021, coinciding with behavioural changes induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recycling and recovery rate of plastic packaging in the United Kingdom stood at **** percent in 2023, the highest figure recorded in the displayed period. The amount of plastic packaging recycled in the UK has nearly doubled since 2012. How is plastic recycled in the UK? One of the most important steps in the recycling process of plastic waste is the collection of recyclables. In 2023, *** percent of local authorities in the UK offered curbside collection of plastic bottles, while ** percent also offered collection of plastic pots, tubs, and trays. After collection, plastic waste is transported to a recycling center where it can be sorted and cleaned. The plastic is then shredded, melted and pelletized so that it can be ultimately used as raw material for manufacturing new plastic products. Plastic waste that is not collected for recycling is either sent to landfill sites or incinerated for energy recovery. Collected does not mean recycled Many nations – including the United Kingdom – export part of their waste to other countries because they either lack the recycling infrastructure to manage the volume of waste generated or because it is cheaper to ship their waste to countries with lower labor and processing costs. Less than half of the plastic packaging waste collected in the UK is recycled domestically, with the highest share being exported. In 2024, ****** was the leading destination of UK plastic waste exports.

The India Plastic Waste Management Market report segments the industry into By Polymer (Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene(PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Terephthalate (PET), Others), By Source (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Others (construction, healthcare etc)), and By Treatment (Recycling, Chemical Treatment, Landfill, Others). The report provides historical data and comprehensive market forecasts.