Statistical Guideline for Measuring Flows of Plastic throughout the Life Cycle

The Statistical guideline for measuring flows of plastic throughout the life cycle addresses the gap that there is a lack of a detailed, globally agreed-upon statistical methodology for measuring flows of plastic at national, regional, and global levels. In the guideline, maximum attention has been paid to the existing internationally agreed statistical standards, classifications, methodologies and available data sources to provide the complete picture of flows of plastic throughout the life cycle. Within the proposed boundary of plastic’s life cycle and key terms and definitions, this statistical guideline details the key elements in accounting for plastic production, trade, consumption and plastic waste, and provides recommendations on potential data sources. The target users of this statistical guideline are statistical offices and other relevant organisations responsible for production of statistics on plastic at national, regional and global levels. It aims to guide practitioners in producing high-quality, national-level statistics on plastic that are comparable among various countries. The statistical guideline is a joint work of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), which has been publicly consulted on with experts from international organisations, as well as national statistical offices, relevant ministries, academia, research institutes and other entities of UN Member States.

Citation: United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (2026). Statistical guideline for measuring flows of plastic throughout the life cycle. Nairobi & Bonn.