Plastic production has become a major global issue in recent years, with 359 million tons of plastic produced worldwide in 2018. This is an increase from 1.7 million tons of plastic produced globally in 1950 to 420 million tons by 2015 – representing a 200-fold growth over the past 65 years. Single-use plastics account for approximately 40% of all plastic production and China produces 29.4% of the world’s total output each year.
Approximately 6,300 metric tonnes of plastic waste had been generated globally as of 2015, with 8 million tonnes entering oceans annually according to estimates from 2020 – leading some experts to predict that there will be more plastic than fish (by weight) by 2050 if current trends continue unchecked. In 2017 alone 35.4 million tonnes were produced within the United States while Europe accounted for 62 millions tones out of 359 worldwide during 2018; both regions have seen significant increases since 1950 when only 1/200th was being created on average per annum compared to today’s rate which stands at 9%.
Packaging accounts for 36% percent overall usage across the globe but this figure rises significantly higher within certain countries such as America where it makes up 18%, whereas recycling rates remain low at just 9%. The market value for bioplastics is expected reach 2.4million tonne annually by 2023 however whether or not this can help reduce our reliance upon traditional forms remains uncertain given their projected 5 .5 % annual growth rate between now and then..
This statistic is a stark reminder of the sheer magnitude of plastic production in 2018. It serves as a powerful illustration of the need for greater awareness and action to reduce plastic production and consumption.
The annual global production of plastic has increased from 1.7 million tons in 1950 to 420 million tons in 2015.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the drastic increase in plastic production over the past 65 years. It is a testament to the immense growth of the plastic industry and the immense environmental impact it has had. This statistic serves as a call to action to reduce plastic production and consumption in order to protect our planet.
Plastic Production Statistics Overview
359 million tons of plastic was produced globally in 2018, of which 62 million tons were produced in Europe.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the sheer magnitude of plastic production worldwide. It highlights the fact that Europe is a major contributor to the global plastic production, with 62 million tons produced in 2018 alone. This is a cause for concern, as plastic production has a significant environmental impact, and it is essential that we take steps to reduce our plastic consumption.
By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic in oceans than fish (by weight).
This statistic is a stark reminder of the devastating effects of plastic production on our oceans. It paints a grim picture of the future of our planet if we do not take action to reduce plastic production and consumption. It serves as a call to action to reduce our reliance on plastic and to find more sustainable alternatives.
Approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean annually.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the devastating impact that plastic production has on our oceans. It highlights the urgent need for us to take action to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering our oceans each year. It is a call to action to reduce our reliance on plastic and to find more sustainable alternatives.
Global plastic production increased by 200 times from 1950 to 2015.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the immense growth in plastic production over the past 65 years. It highlights the sheer magnitude of plastic production and its impact on the environment. It is a call to action to reduce plastic production and consumption in order to protect our planet.
In the United States, approximately 35.4 million tons of plastic were produced in 2017.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the sheer amount of plastic that is being produced in the United States each year. It is a testament to the magnitude of the plastic production problem and the need for more sustainable solutions.
The global market for bioplastics is expected to reach 2.4 million tons annually by 2023.
This statistic is a telling indication of the growing demand for bioplastics, which is a promising sign for the future of plastic production. As the global market for bioplastics is expected to reach 2.4 million tons annually by 2023, it is clear that the industry is taking steps towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to plastic production. This statistic is a testament to the progress being made in the industry and serves as a reminder of the importance of continuing to strive for a more sustainable future.
More than half of all plastic waste generated in 2015 was either packaging (141 million tons) or building materials (82 million tons).
This statistic is a stark reminder of the sheer amount of plastic waste that is generated each year. It highlights the fact that a large portion of plastic production is used for packaging and building materials, which are both items that are not necessary for everyday life. This statistic serves as a reminder that plastic production needs to be reduced in order to reduce the amount of plastic waste that is generated each year.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) represents 19% of global plastic production.
This statistic is significant in the context of plastic production statistics because it highlights the prevalence of HDPE in the global plastic production market. It demonstrates that HDPE is a major player in the industry, and its production is a major factor in the overall plastic production landscape.
18% of all plastic produced globally is used to create packaging materials.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the immense amount of plastic that is being used to create packaging materials, highlighting the need for more sustainable solutions. It serves as a call to action for individuals and businesses to reduce their reliance on plastic and find more eco-friendly alternatives.
The United States produces 107.5 kg of plastic waste per person per year.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the sheer amount of plastic waste that is generated in the United States each year. It serves as a powerful illustration of the magnitude of the plastic production problem and the urgent need for action to reduce plastic waste.
The plastic bottle recycling rate in the United States is about 29%.
The plastic bottle recycling rate in the United States is a telling statistic when it comes to plastic production. It speaks to the amount of plastic waste that is being diverted from landfills and repurposed into new products. This statistic is a reminder that, while plastic production is on the rise, there are still ways to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our environment.
Packaging accounts for 36% of total plastic usage worldwide.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the immense amount of plastic that is used for packaging purposes worldwide. It highlights the need for more sustainable packaging solutions that can reduce the amount of plastic used and help protect the environment.
Global plastic production has grown by an annual average of 9% since 1950.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the alarming rate at which plastic production has been increasing over the past 70 years. It highlights the need for urgent action to reduce plastic production and consumption in order to protect our environment and safeguard our future.
In the United States, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, compared to 26% in Europe.
This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater efforts to reduce plastic waste in the United States. It highlights the fact that the US is lagging behind Europe in terms of recycling plastic waste, and that more needs to be done to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.
Conclusion
The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the alarming rate at which plastic production and waste is increasing globally. In 2018, 359 million tons of plastic were produced worldwide, with China producing 29.4% of that total. Single-use plastics account for 40% of all global production and packaging accounts for 36%. The annual global production has increased from 1.7 million tons in 1950 to 420 million tons in 2015 – a 200 times increase over 65 years – while 8 million metric tonnes enter the ocean annually as waste. By 2050 it is estimated there will be more plastic than fish (by weight) in our oceans if current trends continue unchecked. It is clear that urgent action must be taken to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and improve recycling rates around the world if we are to avoid catastrophic environmental damage caused by plastic pollution
References
0. – https://www.statista.com
1. – https://www.epa.gov
2. – https://www.europeansources.info
3. – https://www.ourworldindata.org
4. – https://www.plasticseurope.org
5. – https://www.worldwildlife.org
6. – https://www.researchgate.net
7. – https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org
8. – https://www.wwf.or.jp
9. – https://www.nationalgeographic.com
