Global Mismanaged Plastic Waste Set to Reach 72 Million Tonnes

Plastic Recycling | 2026-09-07 05:52:53 | By Paul Ploumis

Although the total volume of mismanaged plastic has risen from an estimated 69 million tonnes in 2021, the proportion of global waste being mismanaged has declined.

Summary

Mismanaged plastic waste reaches 72 million tonnes: Earth Action estimates that the world will generate 227 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2026, with approximately 31.6%, or 72 million tonnes, expected to be mismanaged. Although the total volume has increased from 69 million tonnes in 2021, the share of waste being mismanaged has declined.
Major economies face significant plastic waste burdens: The UK is projected to mismanage more than 317,000 tonnes of plastic waste and export over 516,000 tonnes in 2026. Earth Action categorizes the UK, US, France and Germany as “Overloaders” because their per-capita plastic waste generation significantly exceeds the global average.
Environmentalists call for action beyond recycling: Environmental groups argue that recycling alone cannot solve the growing plastic waste crisis. They are calling for reduced plastic production, stronger waste-management systems, greater use of recyclable materials and increased producer responsibility for packaging waste.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Poorly managed global plastic waste is expected to reach 72 million tonnes in 2026. This highlights the growing gap between plastic production and the world's ability to collect, process and recycle discarded material.

The estimate has been provided by the leading environmental group Earth Action in its latest report. The organization projects that about 31.6% of the 227 million tonnes of plastic waste generated worldwide this year will be mismanaged. Such waste can remain uncollected or enter landfills and the environment, eventually reaching rivers, soil and oceans.

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Although the total volume of mismanaged plastic has risen from an estimated 69 million tonnes in 2021, the proportion of global waste being mismanaged has declined.

The United Kingdom is expected to mismanage more than 317,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2026 and export over 516,000 tonnes. Around 46,000 tonnes of microplastics could enter UK waterways during the year.

Earth Action classifies the UK, United States, France and Germany as 'Overloaders' because their per-capita plastic waste generation is substantially above the global average.

According to environmentalists, recycling alone cannot resolve the problem. They call for reduced plastic production and stronger waste-management policies. The producers must be made increasingly responsible for the packaging waste put on the market. Also, governments must encourage greater use of recyclable materials, they added.