Plastic Overshoot Day: September 6 marks the overshoot of global waste management capacity

September 6th marks Plastic Overshoot Day globally, the date on which the quantity of plastic waste produced exceeds the capacity of management systems to collect and treat it safely, resulting in an accumulation of plastic destined to disperse into the environment. WWF Italia reminds us of this, underlining that the problem cannot be addressed by a single actor, but requires shared responsibility and collective action.

From 2021 to today, the date of Plastic Overshoot Day has progressively moved a few days towards the end of the year, indicating a slight improvement in the ability to manage plastic waste. However, this progress is undermined by the increase in plastic production and, consequently, in the waste generated: in the last 5 years, the amount of inadequately managed plastic waste has increased by over three million tonnes. The volume of plastic at risk of being dispersed into the environment could almost double by 2040, the association highlights.

Italy is placed in an intermediate position in international comparison: the national Plastic Overshoot Day falls on November 5, better than the world average, but still far from the best European performances, such as those of Switzerland, France and Spain. With around 61 kg of plastic waste produced per capita every year, Italy, like many other European countries, falls into the category of "Overloaders", i.e. countries that generate high volumes of plastic waste. To reduce the amount of plastic that escapes safe management, it is necessary to strengthen policies and practices to prevent and reduce waste production, while promoting the effective reuse and recycling of materials.