New efforts to tackle plastic pollution

The UN Environment Assembly is gathered in Nairobi to step up action against rising plastic pollution levels in our oceans

Million tonnes per year
PROJECTED SPIKE IN PLASTIC WASTE*

Volunteer collects plastic bags and assorted litter from Manila Bay, Philippines, July 2014

Top three countries by mismanaged plastic waste*
20m tonnes per year
China
Indonesia
Philippines

70
60
50
40
30
20
10  2010 2015 2020 2025

Of which 25% will be marine debris

OUR LOVE OF PLASTIC
To date, we have created almost 8.3bn tonnes of plastic — but only on large scale since around 1950

GLOBAL PLASTIC PRODUCTION ESTIMATES
2m    8.3bn     34bn 
1950  2017      2050

* Assuming no improvements in waste management 

Sources: Financial Times, Science Daily (Janet A Beckley) Picture: Getty Images 
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