Home InsightsDo You Know Which Countries Are Highest Plastic Polluters & Plastic Users?

Do You Know Which Countries Are Highest Plastic Polluters & Plastic Users?

December 18, 2024 •By

53 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced every year, globally!

And, India is responsible for producing 20% of this plastic waste: 9.3 million annually.

However, we found that per capita plastic usage of plastic is highest in Hong Kong: On average, a person in Hong Kong uses 121 kg of plastic every year.
 

We at Ukhi are tracking and monitoring plastic pollution, and plastic usage, and exposing critical environmental challenges, created by humans. 

In this blog, we will explore which countries are responsible for maximum plastic usage, and we will also explore the per/capita usage of plastic globally. 
 
Global Plastic Consumption: Per Capita Insights
Our analysis reveals a striking picture of plastic consumption across different nations. The following table illustrates the top 10 countries by per capita plastic consumption in 2024:
 

Rank

Country

Plastic Consumption (Kg per Capita)

1

Hong Kong

121

2

Singapore

87

3

United States

53

4

Australia

59

5

Oman

56

6

Netherlands

55

7

Belgium

55

8

Israel

55

9

Switzerland

53

10

United Arab Emirates

52
 

Key Observations

  • Hong Kong leads with an extraordinary 121 kg of plastic consumption per capita, more than double the next highest country.
  • Singapore follows with 87 kg per capita, demonstrating significant plastic usage in dense urban environments.
  • Developed nations like the United States, Australia, and European countries cluster around 53-59 kg per capita.
  • India, which is responsible for highest plastic pollution, has a per capita usage of only 8 kg/year. That’s really surprising!
 
Plastic Pollution: Total Annual Output
Complementing the per capita consumption, here’s a breakdown of countries producing the highest volumes of plastic pollution:
 

Rank

Country

Annual Plastic Pollution (Metric Tonnes)

1

India

9.3 million

2

Nigeria

3.5 million

3

Indonesia

3.4 million

4

China

2.8 million

5

Pakistan

2.6 million

6

Bangladesh

1.7 million

7

Russia

1.7 million

8

Brazil

1.4 million

9

Thailand

1.0 million

10

Congo

1.0 million
Critical Insights

India stands out as the largest contributor, producing 9.3 million metric tonnes of plastic pollution annually.

Developing nations dominate the top 10, highlighting the connection between economic growth and waste management challenges.

The top five countries produce over 19.6 million metric tonnes of plastic pollution collectively.

In India, only 8% of the plastic used is recycled. The rest of the plastic is either burned and buried inside the land. This research hasn’t taken into account these plastic.

Interestingly, 2 to 3 years back, China was the nation that produced maximum plastic pollution, but now, they are rankled #4 with 2.8 million metric tons. This means that the Chinese Govt has implemented urgent measures to curb this pollution.

A very interesting observation here: Going by the sheer size and population of India, the overall plastic pollution per capita in India is very low, compared to developed nations. With only 8kg/average person usage of plastic, India is still very restrained, and conscious of its plastic usage. 
 

Just imagine the scale of pollution happening in India, in case our per capita consumption was as high as developed nations: It would have been a catastrophe. 

Bridging Consumption and Pollution: Ukhi’s Perspective
These statistics underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions. At Ukhi, we’re not just analyzing the problem – we’re actively developing biomaterial alternatives that can:

  • Reduce plastic consumption

  • Provide sustainable biomaterial options

  • Support a circular economy approach

  • Minimize environmental impact

Our Biomaterial Innovation Strategy

  1. Develop advanced, biodegradable polymers, using agri-waste

  2. Create eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics

  3. Support global sustainability initiatives

  4. Drive technological innovation in material science

A Global Challenge Requires Global Solutions
The data paints a complex picture of plastic consumption and pollution. While per capita consumption varies dramatically – from Hong Kong’s 121 kg to around 53 kg in other developed nations – the total pollution volumes tell a different story, with developing countries bearing the largest burden.
At Ukhi, we believe that innovative biomaterials are key to addressing this global challenge. Our commitment goes beyond analysis – we’re actively developing solutions that can transform how we produce, consume, and manage plastic materials.

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