Analysis and
Environment
Globally, only 14 per cent of the plastic we use is recycled – but some countries achieve higher rates and new technologies could change the picture drastically
A plastic collection facility in Indonesia
JUNI KRISWANTO/AFP via Getty Images
In 2022, the world discarded around 268 million tonnes of plastic waste, but just 14 per cent of that – around 38 million tonnes – was recycled, according to a new analysis. The rest was either burned or, more likely, dumped in landfill.
Despite growing concern over the public health and environmental impacts of plastic pollution, the global recycling rate for this material has remained largely stagnant for years. Is it time to admit defeat for plastics recycling?
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