India Leads Global Plastic Waste Production, Generating 10.2 Million Tonnes Annually: Study Finds

India has emerged as the world’s largest generator of plastic waste, producing 10.2 million tonnes annually, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Leeds. The report highlights India’s significant contribution to global plastic pollution, more than double the amount of waste generated by the next highest polluting nations, Nigeria and Indonesia.
The study, published in the journal Nature, paints a grim picture of the global plastic pollution crisis, revealing that the world produces 57 million tonnes of plastic pollution annually. Researchers noted that the majority of this waste, about two-thirds, originates from countries in the Global South, exacerbating the environmental and public health challenges in these regions.

Global Plastic Pollution: The Bigger Picture
Plastic waste is now ubiquitous, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountain tops and even within human bodies, according to the study. The volume of plastic produced each year is enough to fill New York City’s Central Park to the height of the Empire State Building, a stark indicator of the scale of the issue. Plastic that goes uncollected or is improperly disposed of poses the greatest threat, with open dumping and burning accounting for a significant portion of the problem.
For 15% of the world’s population, primarily in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, governments are unable to effectively collect and manage waste. The study highlights that this failure is a key reason behind the high plastic waste emissions in these regions. In India alone, 255 million people live without proper waste collection services, contributing to the country’s massive plastic pollution.

Top Polluting Cities and Nations
According to the study, Lagos, Nigeria, is the top plastic pollution city in the world, followed by New Delhi, India; Luanda, Angola; Karachi, Pakistan; and Cairo, Egypt. India’s staggering plastic output places it far ahead of other nations in the rankings, producing more than twice the amount of plastic waste as Nigeria and Indonesia. Despite often being criticized for its environmental record, China ranks fourth, with the study noting the country’s efforts to reduce plastic waste.
The top eight plastic-polluting countries—India, Nigeria, Indonesia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, and Brazil—are responsible for more than half of the world’s plastic pollution. The United States ranks much lower, at 90th, generating around 52,500 tonnes annually, while the United Kingdom comes in at 135th with 5,100 tonnes.

The Microplastic Threat
The study used artificial intelligence to track improperly managed plastic waste, with about 57% of the pollution coming from either burning or open dumping. These practices lead to the release of microplastics and nanoplastics, which pose severe health risks. The study’s authors emphasize that these tiny plastic particles are found everywhere, from the peaks of Mount Everest to the depths of the Mariana Trench, and are now being detected in human tissues, including hearts, brains, and even testicles.
Costas Velis, a lead author of the study and environmental engineering professor at the University of Leeds, warned of the “time bomb” posed by microplastics in the Global South. “These plastics are already dispersed in the most remote places. They are in what we breathe, eat, and drink,” Velis said, stressing that the issue is a global crisis that will affect future generations.

Global South’s Struggles and the Plastic Trade
Velis stressed that the blame should not fall solely on the Global South, attributing the region’s high levels of plastic pollution to a lack of resources and government infrastructure to manage waste effectively. He added that the Global North should not claim victory in addressing plastic pollution, as much of the waste generated in wealthier countries is exported to poorer nations.
While the study noted that global trade in plastic waste is decreasing, largely due to China’s ban on waste imports, experts expressed concern about increasing waste exports from the European Union. Theresa Karlsson of the International Pollutant Elimination Network cited a significant rise in EU waste exports, which grew from 110,000 metric tons in 2004 to 1.4 million metric tons in 2021. Despite the global waste trade being relatively small, Karlsson emphasized that it is still a critical part of the plastic pollution problem.

Calls for Action and Industry Response
The study’s findings come at a pivotal moment as the world prepares for final negotiations on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, set to take place in South Korea in November. In 2022, most nations agreed to develop the treaty, which aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution, particularly in the world’s oceans.
While environmental groups are pushing for strong measures, including capping plastic production, the plastics industry has resisted such caps, focusing instead on improving waste management. Chris Jahn, secretary of the International Council on Chemical Associations, praised the study for highlighting uncollected waste as the main driver of plastic pollution. “Prioritizing adequate waste management is critical to ending plastic pollution,” Jahn said in a statement.
However, critics like Neil Tangri, senior director of science and policy at GAIA, argue that the study focuses too much on downstream pollution management and not enough on the need to reduce plastic production at its source. “We risk losing focus on the upstream issues by only talking about managing waste,” Tangri warned, pointing out that plastic manufacturing itself emits large amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
The United Nations has projected that global plastics production could rise from the current 440 million tonnes per year to more than 1.2 billion tonnes by 2060, emphasizing the urgent need for action. Velis emphasized that while improving waste management is crucial, the long-term solution requires systemic changes in plastic production and global consumption patterns.

Conclusion
The study highlights the enormous scale of plastic pollution and the pressing need for both developed and developing nations to work together in addressing this global crisis. With final treaty negotiations approaching, the world must take decisive steps to reduce plastic waste and limit the long-term damage caused by microplastics to the environment and human health.

Team Profile

Yangchula BhutiaContent Editor

Yangchula Bhutia is a budding journalist currently pursuing her Master's degree in Journalism at Jadavpur University. Her passion lies in environmental issues, and she aspires to make a difference through impactful storytelling focused on environmental challenges and solutions.

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