Curb plastic pollution at its source | Science

Global plastic production has more than doubled since 2000 to roughly 460 million tonnes per year, about half of it destined for single-use products (1). After accounting for reprocessing losses, only about 9% of plastic waste is ultimately recycled, whereas nearly half is landfilled, about a fifth is incinerated, and the rest is mismanaged or leaks into ecosystems (1, 2). As governments negotiate a legally binding global plastics treaty (3, 4), they should recognize that recycling alone cannot solve plastic pollution and prioritize reducing production and reusing materials.