In the United States, only about 5% to 6% of plastics are being recycled each year—a paltry rate.

Data shows that American exporters continue to ship plastic waste overseas, often to poorer countries, even though most of the world has agreed to not accept it.

Highest US Plastic Waste Exports in 2023 to:
Canada: Increased to 154 million kg/yr in 2023 from 145 million kg/yr in 2022.

Mexico: Decreased to 76 million kg/yr in 2023 from 85.5 million kg/yr in 2022.

Malaysia: Decreased to 34 million kg/yr in 2023 from 35 million kg/yr in 2022.

India: Increased to 46 million kg/yr in 2023 from 44.3 million kg/yr in 2022.

Indonesia: Decreased to 18 million kg/yr in 2023 from 20 million kg/yr in 2022.

Vietnam: Increased to 20 million kg/yr in 2023 from 14.9 million kg/yr in 2022.

An open access study published in 2022 concluded that 75% up to 86% of the plastic pollution is from fishing and agriculture with most identified emissions originating from Japan, China, South Korea, the US and Taiwan. However, there is evidence naming the U.S. as the third-largest contributor of plastic pollution in coastal environments. In 2018 China banned import of plastics and since then countries with poor waste management, like Indonesia, have become dumping grounds for plastic that originated in the U.S.

The exponential rise in microplastic pollution over the past 50 years may be reflected in increasing contamination in human brains, according to a new study.