Plastic Overshoot Day, the point at which global plastic waste exceeds the world’s capacity to manage it properly, arrived on 6 September, which means almost 72 million tonnes of plastic will leak into the environment this year, according to new research.
New analysis from research organisation Earth Action found that for the remaining 116 days of 2026, plastic waste will be left uncollected or dumped, and will then leak into soil, rivers and the ocean.
According to figures published by Earth Action, global plastic waste from packaging, textiles and household products has climbed from 202 million tonnes in 2021 to almost 227 million tonnes, or 27.4kg of plastic waste per person.
By the end of September, 85.7% of the world’s population will be living in areas that have exceeded their capacity to manage it.
Earth Action says 12 countries are responsible for close to 60% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste, with the top five being China, India, Russia, Brazil, and Mexico.
The UK specifically is set to mismanage over 317,000 tonnes of plastic waste and export over 516,000 tonnes in 2026, Earth Action says.
The research also estimates that over 46,000 tonnes of microplastics and 1,368 tonnes of chemical additives will also leak into the UK’s waterways.
The later in the year that Plastic Overshoot Day falls, the smaller the share of waste that ends up in the environment.
This year’s is two days later, yet while the share of waste mismanaged has reduced by 2.7 percentage points over the past five years, the weight of pollution is the most Earth Action has recorded, rising 3.6% over the same period.
The report identifies four measures for countries to reduce plastic pollution, including cutting plastic at source, strengthening waste management, building circular systems, and holding polluters accountable.
Commenting on the report, Sarah Perreard, Co-founder of Earth Action, said: “Consider this date a warning shot. Despite improvements in handling plastic waste, we are still losing; the world is making it faster than any country’s recycling system can cope with.”
“Recycling rates flatter some, but the millions of tonnes leaking into the environment each year tells the truth. The impact of the exponential growth of waste on the environment, and human health, cannot be ignored.”
Dr Roz Savage MP, Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, said Britain should be leading on plastic pollution rather than waiting for other countries.
“For too long we have waited for effective government action as the evidence on the impact of plastic pollution has mounted; protecting our environment and protecting our health are the same task, the time for change is now,” Dr Savage said.
