What Country Has The Most Litter

What Country Has The Most Litter In 2024?

Litter is a global environmental issue and one of the most pressing environmental problems that the world is currently facing. Every country produces a significant amount of waste, but some countries produce more than others. Whilst many dispose of waste correctly and recycle where possible, a monumental amount still ends up being littered.

A huge 75% of people admit that they have littered in the past 5 years, with 9 billion tons of litter ending up in the ocean every year. Cigarette butts the most littered item in the world, with roughly 4.5 trillion being thrown on the ground each year.

Places Known For A Large Amount Of Litter

Littering takes place in most places across the globe, however, a few areas have been known to see a larger amount than other locations. A few locations with the most litter include North America such as Mexico City, South East Asia and India. The country with the most spotless streets includes Japan, where a series of waste management laws in the 1990s targeted the problem.

LITTER ON BEACH

The Countries Producing The Most Waste In The World

In 2021, the World Bank reported that the United States produced the most municipal solid waste (MSW) with over 254 million metric tons. This is followed by China, with over 230 million metric tons. India, Japan, and Germany round out the top five countries in terms of MSW production. 

What Types Of Waste Are The Most Produced

The waste stream in the United States is dominated by plastic, with single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, bottles, and packaging accounting for the majority of waste generation. The United States also produces the most plastic waste per person in the world, with an average of 1,500 pounds per person per year. In terms of global waste, China produces the most plastic, with over 9 million tons of plastic produced in 2021. This is followed by the United States, with over 8 million tons, and India, with over 4 million tons. 

How They Are Reducing Waste

As for reducing plastic pollution, the world’s largest producers are taking steps to address the issue. China has implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags, while the United States has proposed a number of initiatives to reduce plastic waste, including a ban on certain single-use plastic items. Additionally, the European Union has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce plastic waste, including a ban on certain single-use plastic products.

The Global Waste Problem

The amount of waste produced in the world continues to rise, and the issue of waste management is becoming increasingly important. While some countries have implemented schemes to reduce materials such as plastic waste, the challenge remains to reduce waste production overall. Additionally, while some countries have made significant progress in waste management, many countries still struggle to properly manage their waste streams. This has a huge impact on the world in terms of litter, pollution, and the rate of global warming.

Reduce Waste Sent To Incineration & Landfill Sites

As a business, recycling your waste where possible is essential to limiting your environmental impact. With our help, we can reduce pollution whilst cutting your carbon footprint. 

Our team collects and recycles a range of waste types, allowing companies to increase recycling rates for their workplace. Materials such as plastic, cardboard, paper and hazardous items can all be recycled by our waste management business. Get in touch today if you produce a bulk load of waste that you would like collected, whether that be on an ad-hoc or regular basis.

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