8 Alarming Stats Reveal the Hidden Costs of Global Plastic Pollution

Plastic’s convenience has led to its widespread use, but the environmental costs are staggering. Every year, 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated worldwide, with 60% ending up in the environment or landfills. Our reckless plastic use and consumption has driven the world to generate approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic waste each year. The U.S. tops the list of plastic polluters, producing 42 million metric tons of plastic waste annually. This figure is nearly double that of China and more than the combined output of all European Union countries. A U.S. congressional report highlights that “1.13-2.24 million metric tons of that waste is leaked into oceans and the environment every year.” Each year, more than 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans, threatening marine life and ecosystems. Alarmingly, 40% of the ocean’s surface is now covered in plastic debris, and without significant intervention, “there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean as soon as 2030,” scientists warn.

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