Packaging waste keeps piling up, and it is not slowing down. In the U.S., it made up more than a quarter of all trash in 2018. Globally, it already accounts for 40% of all plastic waste, and projections show it will keep climbing as e-commerce expands and single-use convenience becomes the norm.
In 2018, 82.2 million U.S. tons of packaging waste were generated in the United States (EPA). Just one year later, the OECD reported that 353 million metric tonnes of plastic waste were produced worldwide, with packaging taking the largest slice of the pie.
We have compiled the most useful, citable packaging waste statistics available today, broken down by material, geography, and recycling rate, to give researchers, journalists, and small business owners a clear, skimmable reference.
In This Article
Quick Reference: Key Packaging Waste Stats
U.S. tons of packaging waste generated in 2018 (EPA)
of global plastic waste is from packaging (OECD)
of U.S. plastic packaging is recycled (EPA)
of plastic waste produced per person annually in OECD countries
of global plastic waste is recycled (OECD)
Global plastic waste is projected to triple by 2060 without intervention (OECD)
How Much Packaging Waste Do We Generate?
United States
In 2018, the U.S. generated 82.2 million U.S. tons of packaging and containers waste. The chart below shows the pathway for that waste.
The high U.S. recycling rate is largely driven by well-established paper and cardboard recovery systems. However, plastics recovery remains a significant challenge.
Global
In 2019, the world generated 353 million metric tonnes of plastic waste, with packaging accounting for 40% of that total. As the bar chart illustrates, the vast majority of this waste is landfilled or mismanaged, with only a small fraction being recycled.
Under current trends, global plastic waste will nearly triple to 1 billion metric tonnes by 2060. This growth is fueled by rising consumer demand, expanding global trade, and more products shipped in single-use packaging.
Packaging Waste by Material Type (U.S., 2018)
(EPA data — all figures in U.S. tons unless noted)
| Material | Generated (million tons) | Recycling Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated boxes (cardboard) | 33.3 | 96.5% |
| Other paper and paperboard packaging | 8.6 | 80.9% |
| Plastics | 14.5 | 13.6% |
| Glass | 9.8 | 31.3% |
| Steel | 2.2 | 73.8% |
| Aluminum* | 1.9 | 50.4% (beverage cans only) |
| Wood | 11.5 | ~27% (calculated) |
| Other miscellaneous packaging | 0.34 | ~0% |
Note: EPA’s aluminum recycling rate applies only to beverage cans, not all aluminum packaging. Wood recycling rate is calculated from tonnage; EPA does not provide an official percentage.
Paper and cardboard dominate recycling rates, in part because collection systems for these materials are well established, while plastics lag far behind despite making up over 14 million tons of annual waste.
Packaging Waste by Region
The difference in per-person plastic waste generation is stark between developed (OECD) and developing (non-OECD) nations. However, non-OECD countries will account for nearly two-thirds of all waste by 2060 due to population and economic growth.
Future of Packaging Waste
OECD projections show that without significant global intervention, the sheer growth in consumption means total plastic waste will nearly triple by 2060. The line chart below visualizes this dramatic trend.
Even under ambitious policy scenarios, the total volume of packaging waste is still projected to rise. This highlights the critical need for changes in materials and waste management infrastructure to prevent recycling systems from being completely overwhelmed.
Sources
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Containers and Packaging: Product-Specific Data, 1960–2018
- OECD – Global Plastics Outlook: Policy Scenarios to 2060
Methodology Note
- Units: EPA data is reported in U.S. tons; OECD data in metric tonnes. Figures are presented in their original units for accuracy.
- Scope: EPA data covers all packaging materials; OECD data focuses on plastic packaging.
