{"id":2135,"date":"2024-09-05T07:57:30","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T11:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=2135"},"modified":"2024-09-05T07:57:30","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T11:57:30","slug":"plastic-overshoot-day-2024-highlights-waste-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=2135","title":{"rendered":"Plastic Overshoot Day 2024 highlights waste crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Studies suggest that a reduction of at least 5% in plastic pollution is needed each year to achieve UN goals by the close of the century. Credit: Vikentiy Elizarov via Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Today (5 September) marks the global Plastic Overshoot Day, a significant date when humanity\u2019s production of plastic waste exceeds the capacity of waste management systems to properly handle it.<\/p>\n

This year, 220 million tonnes of plastic waste are expected to be generated worldwide, according to a report by Earth Action.<\/p>\n

The growing production of plastic is outpacing the ability to manage it, with significant consequences for the environment.<\/p>\n

Growing plastic waste<\/h2>\n

The report reveals that an average of 28kg of plastic waste per person will be produced globally in 2024, with a steady increase of nearly 7% in total plastic waste since 2021.<\/p>\n

Of the aforementioned 220 million tonnes generated, 69.5 million tonnes, or nearly a third, will not be properly managed. This mismanaged plastic is likely to end up in nature, exacerbating the environmental impact.<\/p>\n

Moreover, almost 70% of the global population now lives in areas where plastic waste management systems are already overburdened.<\/p>\n

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