Used once and immediately discarded, single-use plastics continue to increase in consumption around the globe. A study published in June 2026 highlights the dramatic consequences of this trend. Plastic food and beverage packaging, shopping bags, and cigarette-related waste are among the most common types of litter found on coastlines worldwide.
Study Analyzes Coastal Plastic Waste Around the Globe
For the study, published in the scientific journal One Earth in June 2026, researchers analyzed data from 355 studies and more than 5,300 coastal litter surveys. Using a statistical weighting method, they compiled a global comparison covering 112 countries representing approximately 86% of the world’s population.
The aim was to identify which plastic products most frequently end up in the environment and therefore contribute most significantly to global plastic pollution.
Food Packaging Is the Most Common Form of Plastic Waste
The findings reveal a clear pattern: around 97% of all recorded coastal litter consists of plastic. Food and beverage packaging, including food wrappers and plastic bottles, were the most frequently found items.
Plastic bags ranked second, appearing among the three most common waste categories in 39% of the countries analyzed. Cigarettes and cigarette filters followed closely at 38%, while fishing and shipping gear accounted for 34%, and polystyrene and foam products for 27%.
The study highlights that single-use packaging is by far the dominant contributor to marine litter worldwide.
Why Food Packaging and Single-Use Plastics Dominate Coastlines
According to the researchers, the results largely reflect global plastic production patterns. Food and beverage packaging represents a substantial share of all plastic produced worldwide and consists predominantly of single-use products.
Short-lived plastic products account for around 70% of global plastic waste. High production volumes, widespread consumption, and increasing urbanization help explain why these materials dominate coastlines across the world.
The study therefore demonstrates a strong link between plastic production levels and environmental pollution.
Regional Differences in Marine Litter
Although the composition of plastic waste is remarkably similar across different regions, notable regional differences were observed. These variations are influenced by factors such as ocean currents, population density, and geographic conditions.
Plastic bottles were found in every ocean. Their proportion was particularly high in polar regions, including Antarctica and the Arctic. Because plastic bottles can float for long periods, they are transported over vast distances and often end up in remote areas with very low population density.
The researchers emphasize that coastal litter does not necessarily originate from the region where it is found. In many small island states, ocean currents can carry large quantities of plastic waste from distant parts of the world.
Political Measures Can Reduce Plastic Pollution
The study also shows that targeted policy measures can effectively reduce single-use plastic waste. For example, levies on plastic bags in the United Kingdom and Ireland have significantly reduced consumption.
By identifying the most common plastic waste items at both national and regional levels, the research provides an important scientific basis for future strategies aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
The findings may also support political decision-making in the context of the planned UN Global Plastics Treaty. Reducing the use of single-use plastics could play a key role in significantly lowering global plastic pollution and marine litter over the long term.