Plastic Overshoot Day marks the point when the amount of plastic waste generated exceeds the world’s capacity to manage it, resulting in environmental pollution. In 2025, the global Plastic Overshoot Day is projected to occur on September 5th.
Key highlights
- 225M t plastic waste generated worldwide in 2025
- 72.1M t (31.9%) will be mismanaged and likely end up in nature
- 117 days of global plastic overshoot in 2025, out of 365
- 12 countries responsible for 60% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste (70 of the 117 days)
Every country has its own Plastic Overshoot Day
A country’s Overshoot Day is built on four factors: 1) the amount of plastic waste the population generates, 2) how well that plastic is managed once it becomes waste, 3) how much plastic waste the country exports, and 4) how much it imports. Explore the details for your country below.
Contribution to Plastic Overshoot Day by country
Each country contributes to a portion of the 117 days of plastic overshoot that will occur in 2025. Countries contribute in different proportions according to the total amount of plastic waste they mismanage, with this amount then translated into a number of days.
Is it getting better or worse?
Since 2021, Plastic Overshoot Day has been pushed a little closer to December every year by a few days, indicating a slight improvement in global waste management.
However, there has been a consistent rise in global plastic waste generation. Therefore, despite an improvement in plastic waste management practices, the overall quantity of mismanaged plastic waste remains more or less unchanged.
It’s time for action
The findings underscore the urgency for systemic change. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to reduce plastic waste, improve waste management infrastructure, and transition towards circular solutions that prevent plastic from becoming pollution in the first place. Plastic Overshoot Day is a warning signal. But it is also an opportunity to rethink how we produce, consume, and manage plastic, and to take action before the crisis worsens.