A new report by EA Earth Action forecasts that in 2024, approximately 220 million tons of plastic waste will be generated worldwide. This equates to around 28 kilograms per person. The report highlights a concerning trend: one-third of this plastic—about 68.6 million tons—will not be managed properly and will end up in the environment.
EA Earth Action has announced that Plastic Overshoot Day for this year will be September 5th. This date marks when the world will have produced more plastic waste than it can handle effectively. Despite efforts to improve recycling, the report emphasizes that the sheer volume of plastic production exceeds our current ability to manage and clean it up.
Sarah Perreard, Co-CEO at EA Earth Action & Plastic Footprint Network, stresses that relying solely on recycling to solve the plastic crisis is inadequate. Nearly half of the global population resides in areas where plastic waste exceeds the capacity of local waste management systems, a situation expected to worsen throughout the year.
Although only 12 countries are responsible for the majority of global plastic waste, all nations contribute to the problem. Perreard advocates for stronger global regulations to reduce plastic production and address the crisis effectively. She urges making 2024 a pivotal year for meaningful action against plastic pollution rather than exacerbating the issue.