Global Plastic Waste Disposal Methods

Do you know…

How has global plastic waste disposal method changed over time?

Prior to 1980, recycling and incineration of plastic was negligible; 100 percent was therefore discarded.

From 1980 for incineration, and 1990 for recycling, rates increased on average by about 0.7 percent per year.

In 2015, an estimated 55 percent of global plastic waste was discarded, 25 percent was incinerated, and 20 percent recycled.

If we extrapolate these trends through to 2050; by 2050, incineration rates would increase to 50 percent; recycling to 44 percent; and discarded waste would fall to 6 percent.

Ref: www.ourworldindata.org

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