Pre-2015 data was extrapolated from 2015 data using the global evolution of plastic use.
Plastic use values are based on the sum of primary and secondary plastic use which were estimated as follows:
Primary plastics use was estimated using regional consumption data; secondary plastics use was estimated using recycling rates and recycling loss rates.
OECD Asia includes Japan and Korea.
OECD Oceania includes Australia and New Zealand.
'Other Asia' includes non-OECD countries from the Asia-Pacific region.
Citation formats
Plastics use APAC 1990-2019, by country or subregion
In 2019, the estimated volume of plastics used in China amounted to just over ** million metric tons, more than in all other countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region. That year, the combined plastic volume consumed in Australia and New Zealand stood at around *** million tons.
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OECD. (February 9, 2022). Estimated plastics usage volume in OECD and non-OECD Asia-Pacific from 1990 to 2019, by country or subregion (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from /statistics/1304201/apac-plastics-usage-volume-by-country-or-subregion/
OECD. "Estimated plastics usage volume in OECD and non-OECD Asia-Pacific from 1990 to 2019, by country or subregion (in million metric tons)." Chart. February 9, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 26, 2026. /statistics/1304201/apac-plastics-usage-volume-by-country-or-subregion/
OECD. (2022). Estimated plastics usage volume in OECD and non-OECD Asia-Pacific from 1990 to 2019, by country or subregion (in million metric tons). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 26, 2026. /statistics/1304201/apac-plastics-usage-volume-by-country-or-subregion/
OECD. "Estimated Plastics Usage Volume in Oecd and Non-oecd Asia-pacific from 1990 to 2019, by Country or Subregion (in Million Metric Tons)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 9 Feb 2022, /statistics/1304201/apac-plastics-usage-volume-by-country-or-subregion/
OECD, Estimated plastics usage volume in OECD and non-OECD Asia-Pacific from 1990 to 2019, by country or subregion (in million metric tons) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1304201/apac-plastics-usage-volume-by-country-or-subregion/ (last visited July 26, 2026)
Estimated plastics usage volume in OECD and non-OECD Asia-Pacific from 1990 to 2019, by country or subregion (in million metric tons) [Graph], OECD, February 9, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1304201/apac-plastics-usage-volume-by-country-or-subregion/
