Plastic Overshoot Day Highlights the World’s Waste-Management Gap

September 6 marks the global Plastic Overshoot Day, the point at which the plastic waste produced exceeds the ability of waste-management systems to collect and treat it safely. From that date, plastic begins to accumulate with the risk of spreading into the environment.

WWF Italia says the problem cannot be addressed by one actor alone. It requires shared responsibility and collective action. The organization also notes a modest improvement since 2021, with the date moving several days later in the year as waste-management capacity has improved.

That progress, however, has been offset by rising plastic production and the waste it generates. Over the past five years, the amount of plastic waste handled inadequately has increased by more than three million tonnes. WWF warns that the volume at risk of escaping into the environment could nearly double by 2040.

Italy’s national Plastic Overshoot Day falls on November 5, placing it in an intermediate position internationally. That is better than the global average, but still behind the strongest European performances, including Switzerland, France and Spain. With about 61 kilograms of plastic waste generated per person each year, Italy belongs to the “Overloaders,” countries producing large volumes of plastic waste.

WWF says the response must focus on preventing and reducing waste, while also promoting reuse and effective recycling.