This statistic displays the distribution of microplastics losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, with a breakdown by geographical region. As of that year, around three percent of the global losses of microplastics via washing textiles and clothing took place in Western Europe.
Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region
Characteristic
NAFTA (including rest of North America)
Western Europe
Japan
Central Europe and CIS*
Asia (excluding Japan, India and China)
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Oceania
India
China
Middle East
Microbeads from cosmetics and personal care products
10%
3%
1%
6%
17%
16%
8%
1%
9%
22%
6%
Loss of rubber from tire abrasion
20%
13%
2%
12%
14%
3%
6%
1%
6%
18%
5%
Loss through weathering of marine coatings
22%
18%
4%
4%
6%
6%
10%
0%
4%
19%
5%
Loss via washing of textiles
13%
3%
1%
8%
20%
3%
5%
1%
12%
27%
6%
Road markings
22%
18%
4%
4%
6%
6%
10%
0%
4%
19%
5%
City dust
3%
1%
0%
5%
21%
22%
8%
0%
14%
20%
6%
Loss of plastic during upstream plastic production*
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UNEP, & GEF, & Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. (October 23, 2018). Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 13, 2024, from https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
UNEP, und GEF, und Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. "Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region ." Chart. October 23, 2018. Statista. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
UNEP, GEF, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. (2018). Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 13, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
UNEP, and GEF, and Danmarks Tekniske Universitet. "Distribution of Microplastic Losses to The Environment Worldwide as of 2018, by Region ." Statista, Statista Inc., 23 Oct 2018, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
UNEP & GEF & Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region Statista, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/ (last visited November 13, 2024)
Distribution of microplastic losses to the environment worldwide as of 2018, by region [Graph], UNEP, & GEF, & Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, October 23, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1020286/losses-microplastics-environment-by-region/
