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ENVIRONMENT
Global action across the plastics lifecycle can nearly eliminate plastic pollution by 2040
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Global growth in plastics production and use will continue to outpace population growth. A new OECD report shows that adopting comprehensive, stringent policies in all countries can nearly eliminate plastic leakage by 2040.
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Global growth in plastics production and use will continue to outpace population growth
Plastics production doubled between 2000 and 2019, from 234 to 460 million tonnes. Without more ambitious policies, the amount of plastics produced around the world will continue to rise. Global production and use of plastics is set to reach 736 million tonnes by 2040, up 70% from 435 Mt in 2020. It will continue to outpace global population growth as demand for plastics is projected to remain high and further increase in OECD countries. Fast growth is similarly expected in emerging economies in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
Recycled plastics will continue to make up a mere 6% of all plastics produced in 2040. As plastic volumes balloon, mismanaged waste will increase by 38% and plastic leakage to the environment by 50% by 2040 (from 2020 levels), threatening ecosystems and the people that depend on them.
