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the claim
Only about 9 percent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled.
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
Recorded sources
7 sources for · 1 against
Is it true that only about 9 percent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled?
Yes. Multiple peer-reviewed and reference sources state that only about 9 percent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, matching the claim's figure. One US EPA source reports a different, narrower measure (an 8.7 percent municipal plastic recycling rate for 2018), which does not contradict the global cumulative figure.
Verdict: SUPPORTED · 7 sources for, 1 against · Last checked
Evidence for · 7
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Gunnison, A. & Joselit, D. (2025). Plastics. books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=1tNlEQAAQBAJ&dq=Only+about+9+percent+of+all+plastic+ever+produced+has+been+recycled.&hl=&as_pt=BOOKS&source=gbs_api
Evidence against · 1
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Plastics: Material-Specific Data | US EPALockPrimary navigationOpen Sidenav MenuClose Sidenav Menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menu. (n.d.). epa.gov. https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/plastics-material-specific-data
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More for · 6
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Encyclopedia of Food Security and Sustainability. (2018). play.google.com. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=O1p7DwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
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B., O. S. & A., A. (2020). PLASTIC POLLUTION: CAUSES, EFFECTS AND PREVENTIONS. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.33564/ijeast.2020.v04i12.011
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Bagai, A. & Henam, S. D. (2021). Beating Plastic Pollution: UNEP’s Priorities and Partnership in India. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3233/EPL-201069
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Zhang, X., Liu, C., & Medda, F. (2023). A Smart-Contract-Aided Plastic Credit Scheme. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSYST.2022.3205266
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Prakash, A. M. & S, H. (2026). An overview a sanitation aspect: An analysis of the plastic waste generation in India and the world. zenodo.org. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18677261
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Environmental Pollution and Risk Assessment of Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment Disposal in Nigeria: A Review. (2022). hal.science. https://hal.science/hal-05153677v1
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