Global plastic waste management methods 2019, by select country
Plastic waste management varies greatly by country and region. For example, the United States landfilled roughly 70 percent of its plastic waste in 2019, while just nine percent was collected for recycling. This is below the global average recycling rate of 15 percent. In comparison, OECD EU countries, China, India, and OECD Asian countries (Japan and South Korea) had above-average recycling rates in 2019.
Developing countries are also more likely to mismanage and litter a larger share of plastic waste than developed regions. India, for example, mismanaged and littered 43 percent of its plastic waste in 2019, compared to five percent in OECD EU countries.
Developing countries are also more likely to mismanage and litter a larger share of plastic waste than developed regions. India, for example, mismanaged and littered 43 percent of its plastic waste in 2019, compared to five percent in OECD EU countries.
