Our World
in Data
Oxford Martin School logoUniversity of Oxford logoGlobal Change Data Lab logo

Most common items of waste in the ocean by region

Each item's share of total litter in nearshore waters, which are within 100 kilometers of the coast.

High incomeHigh income31.7%9.6%8%7.2%6%4.9%3.9%2.6%2.2%2.1%Fishing relatedFishing weightsCans (drink)Glass bottlesPlastic bottlesPlastic bagsFood containersWrappersSynthetic ropePlastic lidsEast Asia and PacificEast Asia and Pacific18.2%14%11.1%7.2%5.2%4.2%3.4%2.8%2.8%2.7%WrappersPlastic bagsPlastic bottlesFishing relatedGlass bottlesFood containersCans (drink)ClothingSynthetic ropeFishing netSouth AsiaSouth Asia12.9%12.2%7.1%6.4%4.2%4.1%3.8%3.7%3.7%3%Plastic bottlesFishing relatedPlastic bagsWrappersWoodCans (drink)Fishing netClothingGlass bottlesIndustrial packagingLatin America and the CarribeanLatin America and the Carribean20.1%10.4%10.3%8.8%4.8%4.6%4.6%4.5%4.4%2.5%Plastic bagsPlastic bottlesFishing relatedFood containersGlass bottlesFishing weightsCans (drink)Plastic lidsWrappersClothingSub-Saharan AfricaSub-Saharan Africa19.2%10.4%9%7.4%5.6%4.2%4.2%3.7%3.6%2.8%Plastic bottlesGlass bottlesPlastic bagsCans (drink)Plastic lidsRope & nets (fabric)Food containersFishing relatedClothingBottle lidsNorth Africa and Middle EastNorth Africa and Middle East17.1%14.1%12.3%9%6.8%3.7%3.5%3.5%3.4%3.1%Food containersFishing relatedPlastic bagsPlastic bottlesCans (drink)Glass bottlesPlastic lidsWrappersFishing weightsCans (food)
Most common items of waste in the ocean by region

Interactive visualization requires JavaScript

Related research and data

Charts

We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

By agreeing, you consent to our use of cookies and other analytics tools according to our privacy policy.