With a staggering 220 million tonnes of plastic waste (equivalent to more than 600 Empire State buildings) set to be created this year, new research from EA- Earth Action has found that plastic overshoot day was passed on the 5th of September. The report explains that this can be equated to plastic waste being well managed over the first 248 days of 2024, where it has been collected and then either recycled, incinerated, or deposited in a sanitary landfill[i]. For the remaining 117 days left this year, plastic waste will effectively be mismanaged, ending up as pollution in the environment.
Source: Earth Action
This year’s plastic overshoot day fell a day later than in 2023, continuing an annual trend which has seen the date move later each year, however the researchers note that even though management is improving, the total volume of plastic waste is in fact continuing to grow year on year. In 2021 205 million tonnes of plastic waste was recorded, with 220 million tonnes projected to be created in 2024. Therefore, despite an improvement in plastic waste management practices, the overall quantity of mismanaged plastic waste remains more or less unchanged.
Each country also has its own overshoot day, for example Eritrea, Ethiopia and Kuwait passed theirs in January, and while the global average plastic waste generated per person, per annum is 28 kg, this too varies greatly by country. For example, Belgians are named by the research as the top generators of plastic waste in 2024, with a yearly waste production of 147.7 kg per person. This is 16 times higher than in Bangladesh where each inhabitant generates 8.6 kg of plastic waste.
The research also found that just 12 countries are responsible for 60% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste, or 70 days of overshoot for 2024. These are: China, India, Russian Federation, Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, United States and Turkey.
It is estimated that plastic waste production has doubled in the past 20 years, and yet at present, just 9% is currently recycled successfully, as the OECD reported in March 2022:
“Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled (15% is collected for recycling but 40% of that is disposed of as residues). Another 19% is incinerated, 50% ends up in landfill and 22% evades waste management systems and goes into uncontrolled dumpsites, is burned in open pits or ends up in terrestrial or aquatic environments, especially in poorer countries.”[ii]
A new global treaty on plastics was proposed by the UNEP at UNEA 5 held in Nairobi in March 2022, where the UNEP resolved to create an intergovernmental committee to negotiate a new legally binding treaty on plastic reduction by 2024[iii]. However, talks remain ongoing with the latest round (now in its fifth session) scheduled for 25th November to 1st December this year, where it is hoped that the treaty will be finalised[iv]. The new treaty will cover all stages of the plastic lifecycle, from production to waste management, meaning countries who sign up will likely have to introduce new legislation to meet the treaty’s requirements. For example, governments will need to boost recycling rates of plastics as well as introduce targets aimed at cutting plastic production, alongside incentives or even taxes to target high polluters.
[i] 2024 Report: New perspective on global plastic pollution! (plasticovershoot.earth)
[ii] OECD: “Plastic Pollution Is Growing Relentlessly as Waste Management and Recycling Fall Short” (zerocarbonacademy.com)
[iii] Global survey reveals that MSMEs show broad support for an ‘ambitious and legally binding plastics treaty’ (zerocarbonacademy.com)
[iv] Global survey reveals that MSMEs show broad support for an ‘ambitious and legally binding plastics treaty’ (zerocarbonacademy.com)
Lauren has extensive experience as an analyst and market researcher in the digital technology and travel sectors. She has a background in researching and forecasting emerging technologies, with a particular passion for the Videogames and eSports industries. She joined the Critical Information Group as Head of Reports and Market Research at GRC World Forums, and leads the content and data research team at the Zero Carbon Academy. “What drew me to the academy is the opportunity to add content and commentary around sustainability across a wealth of industries and sectors.”
