Reviewed by Lexie CornerApr 11 2025
A recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment examines global plastic disposal trends, revealing a shift towards incineration, with regional disparities in consumption and recycling rates. The United States led in per capita plastic use, while China had the highest total consumption. These findings provide important insights for shaping global plastic policies in light of growing environmental and health concerns.
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In 2022, only 9.5 % of global plastic production came from recycled materials.
Global plastic production has increased from two million tons per year in 1950 to 400 million tons in 2022, with projections to double to 800 million tons annually by 2050. As a result, plastic pollution has become a significant and growing issue, posing threats to the environment, economy, and public health. However, a comprehensive analysis of the global plastics sector has been lacking.
Quanyin Tan and colleagues conducted an analysis of the global plastics sector in 2022, utilizing data from national statistics, industry reports, and international databases to provide a detailed overview of plastic production, use, and disposal. Their analysis highlights key trends in the global plastic supply chain. In 2022, of the 400 million tons of plastic produced, nearly 38 million tons (9.5 %) were made from recycled plastic, with the remaining 362 million tons (98 %) produced from fossil fuels, mainly coal and oil.
Approximately 268 million tons of plastic were disposed of in 2022, with 27.9 % sent for sorting and potential recycling. A significant 36.2 % was sent to landfill, and 22.2 % was incinerated. Furthermore, only half of the sorted plastic was recycled, with 41 % incinerated and 8.4 % sent to landfill.
However, the proportion of global plastic waste sent to landfill in 2022 (40 %) is much lower than the estimated 79 % of global plastic waste sent to landfills between 1950 and 2015. The USA had the highest per capita plastic consumption, averaging 216 kg per person annually, while China consumed the most plastic overall, at 80 million tons per year.
The authors note that this study provides critical data to inform future policies and regulations.
Journal Reference:
Houssini, K., et al. (2025) Complexities of the global plastics supply chain revealed in a trade-linked material flow analysis. Communications Earth & Environment. doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02169-5