Yes, people fleeing North Korea have to be told to leave the plastic trash in the river as they cross into China. Many would otherwise risk being shot to collect it. When things are scarce & valuable, & they all come in heavy & breakable glass containers, plastic becomes an extremely valuable commodity.

The Soviet bloc also didn't really have plastic until the 90s. I'm sure there are still others, & there are people in the US today seriously advocating policies that would take us there.