Rivers - Key Contributor of Ocean Plastic Waste
Source of Ocean Plastics
Plastics are increasingly used in a wide variety of applications because of their durability and low cost. In 2019, the production of plastics totaled around ~368 million tons worldwide.
Due to the low-recycling rates, poor waste management and maritime use, a significant portion of the plastics produced worldwide enters and persists in the oceans.
Rivers - Plastics Carrying Vehicle
1.2 and 2.4 million tons of plastics are estimated to flow from the global riverine system into the oceans every year.
The top 20 polluting rivers account for more than 2/3 of the global annual input. Furthermore, the top 122 polluting rivers contribute >90% of the plastic inputs, with 103 rivers located in Asia.
Majority of the river plastic originates from Asia, representing 86% of the global total, followed by Africa at 8% and South America at 5%.
River plastic pollution regions, such as Asia, cast high risk to the world of polluting rivers and oceans. The major cause is the inadequate waste management infrastructure and solutions.
