The Situation Of Plastic Waste In 2025

The total consumption and per capita consumption of plastics

In 2020, the global plastic consumption was 547 million tons, with native plastics accounting for 86% and recycled plastics accounting for 14%. China is the largest consumer country (accounting for 36%), followed by "most other countries" (28%), 30 European countries (18%), and North America (18%). The packaging industry is the main consumer sector for plastics (accounting for 32%), followed by construction and textiles. There are significant regional differences, such as China's consumption expected to peak in 2030 and decline, 30 European countries expected to recover to 2020 levels after 2025, North America and "most of the world" consumption continuing to grow, and without intervention, global consumption is expected to increase by 37% to 749 million tons in 2050.

In 2020, the per capita plastic consumption of 30 countries in North America and Europe will be 195kg and 187kg respectively, while that of China will be 138kg and that of "most of the world" will be only 29kg. By 2050, the per capita consumption of "most of the world" is expected to slightly increase to 34 kilograms, and North America will significantly increase to 389 kilograms, more than ten times that of "most of the world".

Global plastic waste forecast for 2050

In 2020, the global production of plastic waste was 425 million tons, of which 39% were landfilled, 24% were incinerated, 22% were recycled, and the remaining 15% (approximately 62 million tons) were mishandled.

90% of mishandled waste comes from 'most of the world', while the mishandling rate in China, North America, and 30 European countries is only 3% to 4%. If there is no policy intervention, the global plastic waste generation is expected to increase to 687 million tons by 2050, of which the proportion of mishandling will increase by 3 percentage points to 121 million tons.

Plastic production, processing, and waste management generated approximately 245 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2020, accounting for 5% of global industrial emissions. This emission is expected to increase to 335 million tons by 2050, further highlighting the significant impact of plastic systems on climate change.

By 2050, the situation of plastic waste is expected to become more severe, mainly due to:

1. Increased production: Global plastic production continues to rise, and plastic is widely used in packaging, construction, automotive, electronics, and medical fields due to its lightweight, durability, and low cost. The acceleration of industrialization and urbanization in emerging markets such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America further drives demand for plastic. The global economic development and population growth have driven up demand. It is expected to double by 2050, reaching over 1 billion tons per year, leading to a significant increase in plastic waste.

2. Accumulation problem: Since the 1950s, the world has produced over 8 billion tons of plastic, most of which have not been recycled. It is estimated that by 2050, the accumulated plastic waste may reach 12 billion tons.

3. Environmental impact: A large amount of plastic waste enters the ocean, and it is expected that by 2050, the weight of plastic in the ocean may exceed that of fish, posing a serious threat to ecosystems and biodiversity. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste flow into the ocean, forming huge "plastic islands" and causing devastating damage to the marine ecosystem.

4. Microplastic pollution: Plastics decompose into microplastics in the environment, and the microplastics produced by plastic decomposition are widely present in water bodies, soil, and air, which may enter the human body through the food chain and affect health.

5. Recycling Challenge: Despite advances in recycling technology, the global plastic recycling rate remains below 10%, with the majority of plastic waste being landfilled or incinerated, exacerbating environmental pollution. Cleaning up and disposing of plastic waste requires a significant amount of funding, which imposes a heavy economic burden on governments and businesses around the world. Resource waste: A large amount of plastic is discarded after being used once, resulting in resource waste, and the recycling rate is low, making it impossible to effectively utilize the value of plastic.

6. Ecosystem destruction: Plastic waste is difficult to degrade and will persist in the environment for a long time. Marine organisms may accidentally consume plastic, leading to death or decreased reproductive capacity. Plastic waste on land can also damage soil structure and affect plant growth.

7. Greenhouse gas emissions: The production, use, and processing of plastics emit large amounts of greenhouse gases. Chemical Release: Plastics contain various additives that may be released into the environment, causing negative impacts on human health and ecosystems. By 2050, greenhouse gas emissions related to plastics may increase by 37%, having a significant impact on global climate change.

Possible mitigation measures

• Plastic restriction and ban policies: Many countries and regions are promoting plastic restriction and ban policies to reduce the use of disposable plastics.

• Recycling and reuse: Improving plastic recycling and reuse rates is key. At present, the global plastic recycling rate is relatively low. If the recycling rate can be increased to over 50% by 2050, it will greatly alleviate the problem of plastic waste.

Alternative material research and development: Develop and promote alternative materials such as biodegradable products and compostable materials to reduce dependence on traditional plastics.

The following is a chart showing the global trend of plastic waste growth from 2020 to 2050, emphasizing the urgency of the plastic waste issue.