A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom has revealed that the world generates a staggering 57 million tons of plastic pollution annually. This plastic waste is pervasive, found everywhere from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, and even inside human bodies. More than two-thirds of this plastic pollution originates from countries in the Global South.
The study focused on examining waste production at the local level across over 50,000 cities and towns worldwide, as published in the journal Nature. It specifically looked at plastic that is released into the open environment, not plastic that is disposed of in landfills or through proper waste management methods. Shockingly, the researchers found that for 15% of the global population, waste collection and disposal by governments are lacking, with Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa being the primary contributors to plastic waste.
According to the study’s findings, India is the leading producer of plastic waste globally, generating 10.2 million tons of plastic annually, more than double the amount produced by Nigeria and Indonesia, the next biggest polluters. While the United States and the United Kingdom rank 90th and 135th, respectively, in terms of plastic pollution, they still contribute significant amounts of plastic waste.
Efforts to address the plastic pollution crisis are underway, with nations planning to create a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including in oceans, with final negotiations scheduled in South Korea later in the year. The study highlighted the prevalence of microplastics as a concerning issue, emphasizing their presence in drinking water, human tissues, and the potential health threats they pose.
Experts caution that the focus on pollution in studies like this may inadvertently shift attention away from the larger issue of plastic production and its environmental impact. The plastics industry, while recognizing the importance of managing waste, continues to resist efforts to cap plastic production. As plastic production is projected to increase significantly in the coming years, urgent action is needed to curb the environmental and health hazards posed by plastic pollution.
