Plastic Waste: From Land To Sea

China, followed by Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, is the leading source of plastic waste in oceans, according to a 2015 analysis published in the journal Science. Focusing on areas within 30 miles of a coastline in 192 countries, the report estimated the total plastic waste produced in 2010, how much of that is “mismanaged” (littered or otherwise uncontained) and how much ends up in the ocean. Below, how that plastic waste breaks down per capita (with the United States shown for comparison):

Each square equals 4 lbs. of plastic waste.

PHILIPPINES

CHINA

60 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

97 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 262.9 million generated 27.7% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

Coastal population of 83.4 million generated 5.9% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

74 lbs. of which were mismanaged

50 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 20 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

 

As much as 30 lbs. of the plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

 

INDONESIA

VIETNAM

46 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

83 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 187.2 million generated 10.1% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

Coastal population of 55.9 million generated 5.8% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

38 lbs. of which were mismanaged

72 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 15 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

 

As much as 29 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

 

UNITED

STATES

270 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 112.9 million generated 0.9% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

6 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 2 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

 

Each square equals 4 lbs. of plastic waste.

CHINA

97 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 262.9 million generated 27.7% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

74 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 30 lbs. of the plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

INDONESIA

46 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 187.2 million generated 10.1% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

38 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 15 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

PHILIPPINES

60 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 83.4 million generated 5.9% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

50 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 20 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

VIETNAM

83 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 55.9 million generated 5.8% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

72 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 29 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

UNITED

 

STATES

 

270 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 112.9 million generated 0.9% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

 

6 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 2 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

Each square equals 4 lbs. of plastic waste.

CHINA

97 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 262.9 million generated 27.7% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

74 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 30 lbs. of the plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

INDONESIA

46 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 187.2 million generated 10.1% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

38 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 15 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

PHILIPPINES

60 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 83.4 million generated 5.9% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

50 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 20 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

VIETNAM

83 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 55.9 million generated 5.8% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

72 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 29 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

UNITED STATES

270 lbs. of plastic waste produced per person

Coastal population of 112.9 million generated 0.9% of global* mismanaged plastic waste

6 lbs. of which were mismanaged

As much as 2 lbs. of plastic waste per person ended up in the ocean

Note: *Global refers to 192 countries whose aggregate population represents 93% of the world’s population.