5 Countries that Produce the Most Plastic Waste

2. China

Mismanaged Plastic Waste (MPW) Created in 2021 (in tons): 12.3 million

MPW Created in 2016 (in tons): 21.6 million

China has a long history of plastic waste production and management. In the early 20th century, China began producing and using plastic products, and the country’s plastic industry has grown significantly since then. As a result, China has become one of the largest producers of plastic waste in the world, with an estimated 60 million tons of plastic waste generated annually.

The management of plastic waste in China has been a challenge, as the country has struggled to keep up with the rapid growth of its plastic industry and the increasing volume of plastic waste it generates. In the past, much of China’s plastic waste was not properly managed and ended up in landfills, streets, and waterways, where it caused a range of environmental and health problems.