Global Plastic Recycling Stalls at 9% as Production Surges to Record Levels

New research highlights the dominance of fossil fuel-based virgin plastics and stalled treaty negotiations to combat the growing environmental crisis.

A 2025 study reveals that only 9.5% of the 400 million tonnes of plastic produced in 2022 came from recycled materials, with rates remaining stagnant over recent years.
Approximately 98% of new plastic is derived from fossil fuels, underscoring the industry's reliance on non-renewable resources and its contribution to climate change.
Global plastic production has skyrocketed from 2 million tonnes in 1950 to 400 million tonnes in 2022, with projections doubling to 800 million tonnes by 2050.
Economic barriers, including the lower cost of virgin plastic, hinder investment in recycling infrastructure and perpetuate low recycling rates worldwide.
Negotiations for a global plastics treaty remain stalled, with 100 nations supporting production cuts but no agreement reached, intensifying calls for urgent policy action.