Globally, an estimated ** percent of plastic waste were collected for recycling in 2019. This amounted to roughly ****n metric tons. Landfilling accounted for roughly **** of plastic waste management that year, while ** percent were mismanaged and littered. On average, OECD countries landfilled ** percent of plastic waste, while for non-OECD countries that share stood at ** percent. However, ** percent of plastic waste in non-OECD countries were mismanaged and littered, compared to just *** percent across OECD member countries. This is due to many developing countries lacking the capacity to deal with the large volumes of plastic waste generated. Mismanaged waste is one the biggest causes of plastic waste pollution. Asia accounts for ** percent of global plastic waste emitted to the ocean.
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OECD. (June 3, 2022). Distribution of plastic waste management worldwide in 2019, by region and method [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 14, 2026, from /statistics/1358376/global-plastic-waste-management-share-by-region/
OECD. "Distribution of plastic waste management worldwide in 2019, by region and method." Chart. June 3, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 14, 2026. /statistics/1358376/global-plastic-waste-management-share-by-region/
OECD. (2022). Distribution of plastic waste management worldwide in 2019, by region and method. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 14, 2026. /statistics/1358376/global-plastic-waste-management-share-by-region/
OECD. "Distribution of Plastic Waste Management Worldwide in 2019, by Region and Method." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 3 Jun 2022, /statistics/1358376/global-plastic-waste-management-share-by-region/
OECD, Distribution of plastic waste management worldwide in 2019, by region and method ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1358376/global-plastic-waste-management-share-by-region/ (last visited July 14, 2026)
Distribution of plastic waste management worldwide in 2019, by region and method [Graph], OECD, June 3, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1358376/global-plastic-waste-management-share-by-region/
