Global Mismanaged Plastic Waste Set to Reach 72 Million Tonnes in 2026
Earth Action projects that approximately 72 million tonnes, or 31.6% of the plastic waste generated worldwide, will be mismanaged in 2026 as total plastic waste continues to rise.
By Paul Ploumis
Published September 7, 2026
Key Points
- Earth Action estimates that 72 million tonnes of plastic waste will be mismanaged globally in 2026.
- The projected volume represents approximately 31.6% of the 227 million tonnes of plastic waste expected to be generated worldwide.
- The total has risen from an estimated 69 million tonnes in 2021, although the proportion of global waste being mismanaged has declined.
- Environmentalists are calling for reduced plastic production, stronger waste-management policies and greater producer responsibility.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): Poorly managed global plastic waste is expected to reach 72 million tonnes in 2026. The projection highlights the widening gap between plastic production and the world’s ability to collect, process and recycle discarded material.
The estimate was provided by environmental organization Earth Action in its latest report. The organization projects that approximately 31.6% of the 227 million tonnes of plastic waste generated worldwide this year will be mismanaged.
Mismanaged waste may remain uncollected or enter landfills and the environment, eventually reaching rivers, soil and oceans.
Mismanaged Plastic Volume Rises Despite Lower Share
Although the total volume of mismanaged plastic has risen from an estimated 69 million tonnes in 2021, the proportion of global plastic waste being mismanaged has declined.
UK Plastic Waste and Microplastic Projections
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 United Kingdom, United States, France and Germany as “Overloaders” because their per-capita plastic waste generation is substantially above the global average.
Environmentalists Call for Measures Beyond Recycling
According to environmentalists, recycling alone cannot resolve the problem. They are calling for reduced plastic production and stronger waste-management policies.
They also called for producers to assume greater responsibility for the packaging waste placed on the market and for governments to encourage wider use of recyclable materials.