Pollution from plastics has become a serious global crisis, posing an unprecedented threat to marine life, human health, and the environment. While plastics serve numerous purposes, their indiscriminate use and improper disposal have led to harmful consequences, warranting immediate intervention. Plastics take a long time to decompose naturally and are among the most persistent environmental pollutants, contaminating both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Global plastic production has surged from 2 million tons in 1950 to 348 million tons in 2017. Most plastic waste ends up in dumps, landfills, unmanaged waste systems, or the environment. By 2040, the capacity of the plastics production sector is expected to double. An estimated 11 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean annually, and by 2040, this marine plastic pollution is likely to triple.
Global Plastic Waste Trends and Policy Responses
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) projects that global plastic waste production will nearly triple by 2060, with roughly half ending up in landfills and less than half being recycled. The report titled “Plastic Overshoot Day” highlights a concerning trend of increasing global plastic waste generation, which has surged by 7.11% since 2021, reaching an estimated 220 million tonnes. Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, diminishing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change. Research by scientists at the US-based Lawrence Berkeley National Lab emphasizes the importance of adhering to the global carbon emission budget needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2050. According to a 2021 estimate by Beyond Plastics, by 2030, the US plastics industry will contribute more to the nation’s climate crisis than coal-fired power. Plastic production is a significant driver of climate breakdown, as most plastic is made from fossil fuels. The following figure illustrates the sources, transformation, and fate of plastic contaminants in soil-plant and aquatic environments:
Certain types of plastic products, such as problematic and avoidable plastics, are known to be detrimental to the environment and human health. Problematic plastics are a broad category of items that create significant challenges at every stage of their life cycle. These products are often difficult to recycle or break down, leading to long-lasting contamination of ecosystems. They pose serious threats to wildlife and contribute to habitat degradation. Examples of such items include straws, balloons, plastic utensils, and multi-layered packaging, which are notorious for being highly single-use or having limited recyclability.
Avoidable plastics are those that can be replaced with non-plastic alternatives or eliminated through changes in consumer behavior, product design, or policy interventions. These include single-use and disposable goods, which constitute a disproportionate amount of plastic waste. Policymakers and stakeholders focused on waste reduction, resource efficiency, and environmental protection have made addressing problematic and avoidable plastic products, particularly single-use items, a priority in efforts to eliminate plastic pollution. The goal is to implement effective international and domestic policies, such as removing harmful products from the market, reducing production by using non-plastic alternatives or alternative processes, and redesigning problematic products to meet safe and sustainable design standards. Research by POD indicates that at least 291,071 tons of chemical additives will be released into water bodies by 2024. According to scientists, China, India, the Russian Federation, and Brazil will account for 40% of this pollution. The authors estimate that India will release 31,483 tons of chemical additives from microplastics, making it the second-largest polluter of waterways by this method, after China (59,208 tons).
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles no larger than five millimeters. A study led by Suvash Saha at the University of Technology Sydney used sophisticated computer models to investigate the effects of inhaling these small particles. The study revealed increasing evidence of the harmful impact of nanoplastics and microplastics on lung health. According to the research, inhalation is currently the second most common route for human exposure to plastic particles in the air. The chemical additives in microplastics accumulate in water bodies and negatively affect human health. A study published in the journal Environmental Pollution states, “Common additives released from microplastics include heavy metals, polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrins, bisphenol A, brominated flame retardants, and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances.” A 2021 study found that the concentration of microplastics in the Ganga, the largest river basin in India, is higher than in any other major river worldwide. This poses a significant threat to the marine ecosystem, human life, and the environment.
Single-use plastics have been prohibited in several nations, including India, as of July 1, 2022. It is now illegal to produce, import, stock, distribute, sell, or use any notified single-use plastics, including expanded polystyrene. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change announced the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, which include guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging. These rules amend the 2016 regulations governing plastic waste management, aiming to promote alternatives and expedite the phase-out of single-use plastics. The 2024 POD study, published before INC-4, recommended that India, categorized as a low waste-producing polluter, focus on strengthening domestic waste management infrastructure and participating in waste management programs, including extended producer responsibility (EPR). Twelve countries—China, India, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, the United States, and Turkey—have been identified as significant sources of improperly managed plastic waste.
The EU is the first region to propose an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework to encourage “plastic reduction and reuse,” as there is no agreement on a unified global EPR. EPR is a key component of current efforts to reduce plastic pollution, aiming to shift waste management responsibility from consumers and municipalities back to the companies that produce goods, including plastics. EPR programs emphasize producer accountability for the waste generated by their products and are designed to promote sustainable product and packaging management throughout the life cycle of items. Under this model, manufacturers are financially and/or physically obligated to minimize the environmental impact of their products, embodying the “polluter pays” principle.
Lobbyism
The world is currently facing three major crises: the loss of biodiversity, pollution, and climate change. “The influence and growing presence of fossil fuel and petrochemical industries are neither what the people want nor what the climate needs,” stated Graham Forbes, the leader of Greenpeace’s delegation at the talks. The fossil fuel lobby is preventing us from negotiating a treaty that could resolve the plastics crisis. To reduce plastic production and eliminate single-use plastics, UN member states must take the lead and establish a global plastics convention.
Two percent of the branded plastic litter found was produced by the tobacco companies Altria and Philip Morris International combined, while 3% was produced by Danone and Nestlé. Additionally, 5% of the discarded packaging came from PepsiCo, and 11% of the branded plastic waste was linked to the Coca-Cola Company. Six multinational corporations account for 25% of the world’s plastic pollution, out of fewer than 60 companies responsible for more than half of it. The researchers concluded that environmental plastic pollution increases correspondingly with each percentage rise in plastic production. One of the study’s authors, Lisa Erdle, the director of science at the nonprofit The 5 Gyres Institute, asserts that “production really is pollution.”
According to data, the number of lobbyists from the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries has increased by more than a third during UN negotiations to adopt the first international agreement to reduce plastic pollution. Compared to 143 lobbyists registered in the previous round of negotiations in Nairobi, 196 lobbyists have registered for the current talks, representing a 37% increase. This is a 36% rise over the same period last year. Future plans for the fossil fuel industry primarily focus on increasing plastic production, so any efforts to reduce it—such as those being considered at the UN talks—clearly threaten their bottom line. The populations most affected by plastic waste, such as the small island republics in the Pacific, are significantly underrepresented in the discussions. While state delegations are dominated by industry lobbyists, the communities most impacted by the plastic crisis struggle to have their concerns heard.
The United Nations launched the process in March 2022 to establish a global plastics treaty by the end of 2024. Recently, talks for this treaty were held in Ottawa, Canada, where delegates worked to finalize a binding agreement to “end plastic pollution.” This marked the fourth round of negotiations since nations decided to tackle plastic pollution in 2022 and established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC). The INC, composed of government delegates, was tasked with creating a timeline for nations to halt both the use and production of plastics. India argued that production reductions exceeded the scope of resolutions passed by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and opposed restrictions on the production of primary plastic polymers. While acknowledging the chemicals used in plastic production, India pointed out that some of these chemicals are already prohibited or regulated.
Way Forward
Plastic pollution is a global issue affecting regions from the highest mountain summits to ocean trenches. The production of single-use plastics is increasing, and waste management systems are inadequate to handle this unchecked production. As plastic pollution is a complex and urgent environmental issue, it requires commitment and collaboration at local, national, and international levels. By adopting a holistic approach that integrates policy reforms, technological innovations, and behavioural changes, the harmful effects of plastic pollution can be effectively mitigated, paving the way toward a more sustainable and resilient future. The following figure outlines how managing plastic waste contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals:
Therefore, socially acceptable, economically sound, and environmentally sustainable plastic waste management and recovery are key challenges to achieving the UN SDGs by 2030. It is also necessary to address major constraints on plastic waste management and recycling, including the lack of legislation on plastic collection and recycling, the negative societal effects of plastics, inadequate environmentally friendly designs for plastic disposal, high input and labor costs, and the burden of importing plastic waste to countries with low infrastructure.
References:Â
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- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935121014808
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https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/29/countries-reduce-plastic-production
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935121014808Â
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https://www.unep.org/events/conference/4th-international-conference-small-island-developing-states
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