Americas: River Plastic Emission Rankings

Americas accounts for 114 of the top 1,000 modeled river outfalls in the Meijer et al. (2021) framework, together carrying a modeled 53,890 metric tons of plastic to the ocean per year, 7.5% of the combined top 1,000 total. This grouping matches the Americas filter on the interactive map.

Last reviewed: July 20, 2026 Reviewed by: Plastic Bank Research Team
114

of the top 1,000 modeled outfalls are in Americas

Meijer et al. 2021

53,890 mt/yr

combined modeled emission of those outfalls (metric tons per year)

Meijer et al. 2021

7.5%

share of the combined top 1,000 modeled total

Meijer et al. 2021

2

named rivers (of the dataset's 50) in this region

Meijer et al. 2021

Named Americas rivers, ranked by modeled emission

These are the reviewed, named outfalls from the dataset's top 50 located in Americas. Each links to a full profile with drivers, caveats, and sources.

Rio Pavuna

Rank #35 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,553 metric tons per year, Atlantic Ocean basin.

Rio Ozama

Rank #49 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 2,180 metric tons per year, Atlantic Ocean basin.

Methodology Note

Figures are modeled estimates from Meijer et al. (2021), not measured regional totals. Regional attribution on this site covers the dataset's top 1,000 outfall points, grouped to match the map filters (Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Americas).

Americas FAQ

Which Americas rivers carry the most plastic to the ocean?

The highest-ranked named rivers in Americas in the Meijer et al. (2021) model are the Rio Pavuna (#35), the Rio Ozama (#49). Values are modeled annual estimates, not measurements.

Why does Americas rank where it does in river plastic emissions?

The model combines mismanaged waste generation, population density, rainfall and hydrology, and distance to the coast. Americas's share reflects how those inputs combine across its coastal catchments; see the methodology page for how the estimates are built and their uncertainty.

Are these figures measurements?

No. They are modeled estimates from a global framework. Regional attribution on this site covers the dataset's top 1,000 modeled points.

Sources

  1. Meijer, L.J.J. et al. (2021). "More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean." Science Advances, 7(18). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz5803
  2. UNEP (2021). "From Pollution to Solution: A Global Assessment of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution." View report

How to Cite This Page

Plastic Bank. "Americas: River Plastic Emission Rankings (Meijer et al. 2021)." Rivers Carrying Plastic to the Ocean. https://rivers.plasticbank.com/rivers/region/americas. Reviewed July 20, 2026.