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Statistics

tonnes of plastic waste already polluting the planet

The Lancet Countdown estimates 8 billion tonnes of plastic waste now pollute land, water and air worldwide.

Value
8 billion
Unit
tonnes
Data year
2025
Trend
Rising
Source name
Lancet Countdown on health and plastics 2025
Confidence
Evidence: High
Caveat / scope
Cumulative stock estimate.
Verified on
22 September 2026

Sources last verified 22 September 2026. Page updated 24 September 2026. How we check sources