Global Mismanaged Plastic Waste Set to Reach 72 Million Tonnes
Plastic Recycling | 2026-09-07 06:28:57
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.
By Paul Ploumis
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How much plastic waste is expected to be mismanaged globally in 2026?
Global mismanaged plastic waste is projected to reach approximately 72 million tonnes in 2026, according to Earth Action. This represents about 31.6% of the estimated 227 million tonnes of plastic waste generated worldwide during the year. Mismanaged waste can remain uncollected, accumulate in landfills or escape into rivers, soil and oceans.
- Has the proportion of mismanaged plastic waste increased since 2021?
No. While the absolute volume of mismanaged plastic waste is expected to rise from around 69 million tonnes in 2021 to 72 million tonnes in 2026, its proportion of total plastic waste has declined. This indicates that global plastic waste management has improved in relative terms, although the continued increase in overall waste generation remains a major concern.
- Why are the UK, US, France and Germany classified as “Overloaders”?
Earth Action classifies these countries as “Overloaders” because their per-capita plastic waste generation is substantially higher than the global average. The classification highlights the pressure that high levels of plastic consumption and waste generation place on domestic waste-management systems and the environment.
