Different sectors of society generate plastic waste at different rates.
In addition to that, different plastic waste items are found littered on beaches, in oceans and on land.
In this guide, we identify those sectors, and specific plastic waste items.
Summary – Most Common Plastic Waste Generated, & Found On Beaches, In Oceans & On Land
Packaging waste is by far the most common plastic waste generated in society.
When it comes to plastic litter on beaches and land – Plastic Caps/Lids, Plastic Beverage Bottles, Plastic Bags, Plastic Food Wrappers/Containers, Plastic Cups, Plates, Forks, Knives and Spoons, and Plastic Straws & Stirrers are prevalent.
In the ocean, plastic in some fishing gear, as well as plastic from industrial activity and from land based sources (plastic waste is carried by rivers into the ocean) is significant.
It’s also worth noting other items that contain plastic like cigarette butts (the major source of litter pollution on land) or disposable diapers are found in large quantities (diapers more in developing countries).
Plastic, foam and glass are some of the most common tiny trash materials found on coastal cleanups
Most Common Plastic Waste Generated
Global plastic waste generation in 2015, measured in tonnes per year, was:
Packaging – 141 million tonnes
Other sectors – 42 million tonnes
Textiles – 38 million tonnes
Consumer & Institutional Products – 37 million tonnes
Transportation – 17 million tonnes
Electrical/Electronic – 13 million tonnes
Building & Construction – 13 million tonnes
Industrial Machinery – 1 million tonnes
– ourworldindata.org
A large reason plastic packaging waste is more prevalent is that a lot of it is single use, low lifespan plastic.
This is in comparison to say Construction for example that might use a lot of plastic, but that plastic might be used for 30 years – like for example PVC pipes in homes and other applications.
Most Common Plastic Waste Found On Beaches, In Oceans & On Land
According to Oceanconservancy.org, the most commonly picked up items on coastal clean ups are:
Globally (in order of most to least):
Cigarette Butts
Food Wrappers (from candy, chips etc.)
Straws, Stirrers
Forks, knives, spoons
Plastic beverage bottles
Plastic bottle caps
Plastic grocery bags
Other plastic bags
Plastic lids
Plastic cups, plates
US (in order or most to least):
Cigarette Butts
Food Wrappers (from candy, chips etc.)
Plastic bottle caps
Plastic beverage bottles
Straws, Stirrers
Beverage cans
Plastic grocery bags
Glass beverage bottles
Other plastic/foam packaging
Metal bottle caps
Read more about the numbers in their 2019 report at https://oceanconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Final-2019-ICC-Report.pdf
Read more in these guides:
Most Common Types Of Waste Found In Oceans & On Beaches
Most Commonly Littered Items In Society In Oceans, On Beaches, In Rivers, & On Land
Most common plastic waste and plastic packaging items might include:
Plastic shopping bags
Plastic food wrappers
Plastic take out waste
Plastic cutlery (forks, knives, plates, spoons etc,)
Plastic cups
Plastic straws and stirrers
Plastic bottles
Plastic lids and tops
Plastic is also found in products like cigarette butts and disposable diapers
Treehugger also has a list of 6 of the most common sources of plastic waste pollution at https://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/culture/6-most-common-sources-plastic-pollution/
Most Common Waste Materials Found On Coast Cleanups
In terms of tiny trash:
Plastic (over double the number of tiny foam trash)
Foam (almost 10x the amount of glass)
Glass
– oceanconservancy.org
Sources
1. https://www.bettermeetsreality.com/most-common-types-of-waste-found-in-oceans-on-beaches/
2. https://www.bettermeetsreality.com/what-is-plastic-used-for-in-society-sectors-that-use-the-most-plastic/
3. https://www.bettermeetsreality.com/most-commonly-littered-items-in-society-land-rivers-beaches-oceans/
4. https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution
5. https://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/culture/6-most-common-sources-plastic-pollution/
6. https://oceanconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Final-2019-ICC-Report.pdf
