November 23, 2024 – A recent study on global plastic consumption and waste management has sparked widespread industry attention. The report unveils that in 2020, the world consumed a staggering 547 million tons of plastic, with virgin plastic accounting for 86% and recycled plastic merely 14%. In terms of regional consumption, China led the pack with 36%, followed by ‘Most of the Rest’ (28%), the EU-30 (18%), and North America (18%). The packaging industry was the primary consumer, accounting for 32%, while construction and textiles ranked second and third, respectively.
Notably, plastic consumption trends vary significantly across regions. China’s consumption is projected to peak in 2030 and then decline gradually, while the EU-30 is expected to revert to 2020 levels after 2025. In contrast, North America and ‘Most of the World’ are set for continuous growth. Without effective intervention, global plastic consumption could soar by 37% to 749 million tons by 2050. Per capita consumption in North America and the EU-30 far exceeds that of China and ‘Most of the World’, with this gap predicted to widen further.
The management of plastic waste is equally alarming, as revealed by ColorMasterbatchIndustry.com. In 2020, 425 million tons of plastic waste were generated globally, yet only 22% was recycled, 39% was landfilled, 24% was incinerated, and a concerning 15% (around 62 million tons) was mismanaged. This mismanaged waste primarily originated from ‘Most of the World’, while China, North America, and the EU-30 had relatively lower mismanagement rates. However, without policy intervention, global plastic waste generation is forecasted to rise to 687 million tons by 2050, with mismanagement rates expected to climb further.
Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production, processing, and waste management are significant. In 2020, this sector emitted approximately 245 million tons of CO2 equivalent, accounting for 5% of global industrial emissions. By 2050, this figure is projected to grow to 335 million tons, exacerbating climate change concerns.
This report, with its detailed data analysis and quantitative assessments, provides crucial scientific evidence for formulating future plastic governance policies. Facing the mounting challenges of plastic pollution and climate change, global cooperation is imperative to adopt effective measures for enhanced plastic management and recycling, promoting sustainable development in the plastic industry.