Plastic waste emitted to the ocean per capita.Plastic exports to China by top 10 exporting countries.Most common items of waste in the ocean by region.Mismanaged plastic waste per capita vs.How much plastic waste did China import?.Grocery bag comparisons of environmental impact.Grocery bag comparisons for greenhouse gas emissions.Decomposition rates of marine debris items.Cumulative recycled plastic export value by top ten exporters.Cumulative plastic exports by top ten exporters.Cumulative global production of plastics.Cumulative displaced plastic waste as a result of Chinese import ban.The trade-offs between plastics and substitutes (or complete bans) are therefore complex and could create negative knock-on impacts on the environment. It can also provide environmental benefits: it plays a critical role in maintaining food quality, safety and reducing food waste. This makes it a valuable material for many functions. Plastic is a unique material with many benefits: it’s cheap, versatile, lightweight, and resistant.In some regions, marine sources dominate: More than 80% in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) come from fishing nets, ropes and lines.Around 20% of all plastic waste in the oceans comes from marine sources.

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This makes the improvement of waste management systems across the world critical to reducing plastic pollution.This is because they tend to have more mismanaged plastic waste, whereas high-income countries have much more effective waste management.But, most of the plastic that ends up in the ocean comes from rivers in low-to-middle income countries.High-income countries generate more plastic waste per person.Plastic pollution is having a negative impact on our oceans and wildlife health.