The Future of the World’s Plastic Waste

1 Credit

Plastic use has surged worldwide over the last 50 years. In fact, more than 480 billion plastic water bottles were sold across the globe in 2018—that’s approximately 1 million per minute.

Where does all this plastic end up, and how much of it is being recycled? This infographic looks at the end-of-life fate of the world’s plastic.

Visualization type: Infographic

The Future of the World’s Plastic Waste

Plastic use has surged worldwide over the last 50 years. In fact, more than 480 billion plastic water bottles were sold across the globe in 2018—that’s approximately 1 million per minute.

Where does all this plastic end up, and how much of it is being recycled? This infographic looks at the end-of-life fate of the world’s plastic.


First published: May 27, 2021 (link)

Source files included: .ai, .eps, .pdf

Data source: AAAS Science Advances

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Full License (1 Credit)