Estimation and prediction of plastic losses to the environment in China from 1950 to 2050

•A dynamic material flow analysis model was used to analyze the plastic losses to the environment.•The distribution of polymers, sources, environmental media and lifecycle processes was analyzed.•Microplastic and macroplastic losses in China were 352.1 kt/a and 12.7 Mt/a in 2020.•Loss stocks in the ocean and soil were 4.0 and 173.7 Mt by 2020.•Losses and loss stocks in 2050 would be twice and four times those in 2020.