Plastic use in G20 countries projected to nearly double by 2050: Study

Published Feb 28, 2023

The United Nations kicked off negotiations on an agreement to tackle plastic pollution in November but negotiations fail, annual plastic production in G20 countries could rise to 451 million tonnes by 2050.

According to data published on Monday, plastic use in G20 countries is on track to nearly quadruple by the middle of the century unless a comprehensive and legally enforceable worldwide convention to restrict use is drafted.

Current programmes to increase recycling or reduce single-use plastic use have barely "scratched the surface," according to Return to Blue, a study group sponsored by the Economist Impact think-tank and the Nippon Foundation, a private charitable organisation.

image source- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution

It advocated for a tougher prohibition on single-use plastic, as well as increased manufacturing levies and mandated mechanisms to hold companies accountable for the complete life cycle of their goods, including recycling and disposal. According to Back to Blue, the combined efforts might reduce yearly consumption to 325 million tonnes by 2050, which would still be a quarter more than in 2019, and the equivalent of 238 million full garbage trucks.

According to the research, Brazil, the United States, Indonesia, and Turkey are among the G20 countries that have yet to implement nationwide prohibitions on single-use plastic goods.