Single Use Plastic Market Report 2026

The single use plastic market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $47.89 billion in 2025 to $50.45 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in convenience food demand, expansion of takeaway culture, low cost packaging availability, rapid urbanization, rise in retail packaged goods.

The single use plastic market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $62.71 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to shift toward recyclable disposables, growth in food delivery platforms, rising demand for hygienic packaging, expansion of e commerce shipping, innovation in bio based plastics. Major trends in the forecast period include lightweight disposable packaging designs, compostable plastic blend development, smart label enabled plastic packaging, automated high speed plastic manufacturing, traceable supply chain packaging systems.

The expansion of the retail and e-commerce sectors is expected to propel the growth of the single-use plastic market going forward. The retail and e-commerce sectors encompass industries involved in selling goods directly to consumers through physical outlets and online platforms. Growth in these sectors is largely driven by increasing internet penetration, which enables more consumers to shop online and allows businesses to reach broader audiences through digital channels. Single-use plastics are extensively used in retail and e-commerce due to their lightweight, durable, and cost-efficient packaging properties that protect products during storage and transportation, enhance logistics efficiency, extend shelf life, and support fast, secure, and convenient delivery. Despite rising sustainability initiatives, the rapid increase in e-commerce order volumes continues to fuel demand for protective packaging materials, including single-use plastics. For instance, in February 2024, according to the United States Census Bureau, a US-based federal statistical agency, total e-commerce sales were estimated at $1.11 trillion in 2023, reflecting a 7.6% increase (±1.2%). Therefore, the expansion of the retail and e-commerce sectors is supporting the growth of the single-use plastic market.

Leading companies operating in the single-use plastic market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as recyclable expanded polypropylene (EPP) packaging, to reduce environmental impact and comply with plastic bans. Recyclable expanded polypropylene (EPP) packaging is a lightweight, durable, and fully recyclable plastic material that helps reduce single-use plastic waste, lowers carbon footprint, and preserves food safely for delivery and storage. For example, in May 2023, Seal Packaging, a UK-based packaging company, launched Infinity TopSeal, an innovative recyclable tray solution for food service and delivery, made from expanded polypropylene (EPP) with a heat-sealable polypropylene film lid, designed to be microwavable, lightweight, and fully recyclable, while also providing tamper-evidence and helping reduce food waste through hygienic portioning and storage. The launch highlights the industry’s move toward sustainable alternatives to traditional single-use plastics and aligns with upcoming EPS bans in the UK.

In April 2025, Novolex Holdings LLC, a US-based manufacturer of plastic bags, paper bags, food packaging, and specialty packaging products, acquired Pactiv Evergreen Inc. for $6.7 billion. With this acquisition, Novolex aims to expand its market presence and strengthen its product portfolio by combining complementary packaging solutions and enhancing its manufacturing and distribution capabilities across North America and beyond, forming one of the industry’s most diversified packaging platforms. Pactiv Evergreen Inc. is a US-based manufacturing company specializing in single-use plastics.

Major companies operating in the single use plastic market are Sinopec Group, ExxonMobil Corporation, TotalEnergies SE, BASF SE, Dow Inc., Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), INEOS Group, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, Braskem S.A., Amcor plc, Graphic Packaging International LLC, Mondi Group, Sonoco Products Company, Silgan Holdings Inc., ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co. KG, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, Huhtamaki Oyj, Reynolds Consumer Products LLC, Dart Container Corporation, Novolex Holdings LLC, Borealis AG, Plastipak Holdings Inc., Winpak Ltd.

Tariffs are impacting the single use plastic market by increasing the cost of imported polymer resins, additives, and plastic processing equipment. Higher duties are raising production costs across bags, containers, bottles, and food service disposables. Packaging and food service segments that depend on imported raw materials are facing margin pressure. Regions with strong cross border polymer trade flows, especially in asia pacific and europe, are most affected by price volatility. Manufacturers are shifting toward local resin suppliers and regional production hubs. Tariffs are also encouraging domestic polymer manufacturing and recycling investments. This is strengthening local supply chains and supporting material substitution innovation.

The single use plastic market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides single use plastic market statistics, including single use plastic industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a single use plastic market share, detailed single use plastic market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the single use plastic industry. This single use plastic market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Single use plastic refers to plastic items created for one-time or short-term usage before disposal. These products are typically lightweight and inexpensive but contribute heavily to environmental pollution. They offer convenient, hygienic, and low-cost solutions for temporary applications.

The primary product types of single-use plastic include bags and sacks, bottles, containers, straws and stirrers, packaging, and other products. Bags and sacks are lightweight plastic items designed for short-term carrying and storage in shopping and transportation due to their flexibility and low production cost. These products are made from materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and other plastics, and are applied in packaging, beverage storage, food service, healthcare, retail, and other areas. They are used by food and beverage companies, retail businesses, healthcare providers, manufacturing firms, and others.

The single use plastic market consists of sales of disposable cups, plates and cutlery, sachets and wrappers, lids, plastic trays, and thin plastic sheets. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of these products, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services provided by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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