Global Plastic Pollution Crisis

World Environment Day 2025 (June 5) focused on “Ending Plastic Pollution,” highlighting its environmental, socio-economic, and health impacts.

Understanding the Challenge of Plastic Pollution

Scale and Severity of Plastic Pollution

• Global Trends
  • OECD’s Global Plastic Outlook:
    • Plastic production doubled from 2000 to 2019 (460 million tonnes).
    • Waste generation reached 353 million tonnes.
    • 500 million tonnes of plastic produced/used in 2024, generating ~400 million tonnes of waste.
    • By 2060, waste could reach 1.2 billion tonnes if trends continue.
  • Waste Composition
    • 40%:
    • 12%: Consumer goods.
    • 11%: Clothing/textiles.
    • Nearly 2/3 of plastic waste has a lifespan of less than 5 years.
  • Poor Recycling Outcomes
    • Only 9% recycled.
    • 19% incinerated.
    • 50% ends in landfills.
    • 22% escapes into environment (dumping, burning, or oceans).

Environmental and Climatic Impacts

• Non-Biodegradability
  • Plastics fragment into microplastics and nanoplastics, found in remote ecosystems (e.g., Mount Everest, deep oceans).
• Marine Pollution
  • 11 million tonnes enter oceans annually.
  • Estimated 200 million tonnes already circulating in marine ecosystems.
  • UNEP: By mid-century, oceans may contain more plastic than fish.
• Climate Linkages
  • Plastics contribute 4% of global GHG emissions.
  • UNEP: Plastics may account for 19% of global carbon budget by 2040.

International Efforts and Commitments

• UN Environment Assembly (2022)
  • All 193 UN member states committed to a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
• UNEP Target
  • Reduce plastic waste by 80% within two decades through:
    • Innovation and product redesign.
    • Alternatives to petrochemical-based plastics.
    • Enhanced waste management and recycling.
• Relevance to SDGs
  • Directly linked with SDG 12 (sustainable consumption), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water), and SDG 15 (life on land).

Policy Approaches and Remedies

• Production-Side Measures
  • Limit virgin (primary) plastic production (currently 94% of global use).
  • Promote secondary (recycled) plastic industries.
  • Restrict single-use plastics under existing legal frameworks.
• Waste Management Reforms
  • Improve recycling technologies and build markets for recycled plastic.
  • Adopt Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms.
  • Introduce landfill/incineration taxes, deposit-refund, and pay-as-you-throw systems.
• Public and Market Role
  • Encourage consumer adoption of eco-friendly alternatives.
  • Strengthen awareness through media campaigns.
  • Promote circular economy practices.

Way Forward

• Global Governance: A robust, legally binding international treaty with compliance monitoring and financial support for developing nations.
• National Action: India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules (amended 2022) must be strictly implemented with capacity-building for local bodies.
• Technological Solutions: Investment in chemical recycling, biodegradable plastics, and waste-to-energy models.
• Economic Incentives: Tax rebates for recycled products, green financing for startups innovating in alternatives.
• Behavioural Change: Education, public campaigns, and community participation to reduce dependence on plastics.