General Article Top 10 countries producing most plastic waste

Topic Selected: Plastic Problem Book Volume: 440

By Inemesit Ukpanah

The growing problem of plastic waste pollution severely impacts our environment. Plastic waste is produced yearly in landfills, oceans, and natural areas. To remedy this problem, global action is urgently required. Over the years, 9.2 million and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic have been generated, with one waste truck’s worth of plastic waste in the ocean every minute. If they do biodegrade, it may take hundreds of years.

According to UN Environment Programme research (UNEP), if current trends continue by 2050, there will be fewer fish due to plastic waste. On an annual level, plastic waste generated per person averages 221 kg in the United States and 114 kg in European Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries meanwhile, Japan and Korea generated 69 kg on average. 

The highest total plastic waste per capita

Despite our efforts to minimise plastic consumption, ten countries stand out for generating the most plastic waste globally. So...

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