The study presents a global model to estimate the annual plastic waste input from rivers into the world's oceans, considering spatial and temporal variability. The model is calibrated using measurements from various studies and incorporates factors such as population density, waste management, and hydrological information. The results indicate that between 115 and 2.41 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans annually from rivers, with over 74% of emissions occurring between May and October. The top 20 polluting rivers, mostly in Asia, account for 67% of the global total. The findings provide baseline data for ocean plastic mass balance exercises and assist in prioritizing future monitoring and mitigation strategies. The study highlights the dominant contribution from Asian rivers due to high population density, poor waste management, and heavy rainfall, particularly in the monsoon regions. The model's predictions are validated against field observations, showing a strong correlation. The study also discusses the limitations and uncertainties in the current data and model assumptions, emphasizing the need for more extensive monitoring and standardized methodologies to better understand freshwater plastic pollution.The study presents a global model to estimate the annual plastic waste input from rivers into the world's oceans, considering spatial and temporal variability. The model is calibrated using measurements from various studies and incorporates factors such as population density, waste management, and hydrological information. The results indicate that between 115 and 2.41 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans annually from rivers, with over 74% of emissions occurring between May and October. The top 20 polluting rivers, mostly in Asia, account for 67% of the global total. The findings provide baseline data for ocean plastic mass balance exercises and assist in prioritizing future monitoring and mitigation strategies. The study highlights the dominant contribution from Asian rivers due to high population density, poor waste management, and heavy rainfall, particularly in the monsoon regions. The model's predictions are validated against field observations, showing a strong correlation. The study also discusses the limitations and uncertainties in the current data and model assumptions, emphasizing the need for more extensive monitoring and standardized methodologies to better understand freshwater plastic pollution.