By Faridat Salifu
Scientists and public health experts are calling for a cap on global plastic production as new research estimates that plastic-linked diseases cost the world at least $1.5 trillion every year.
The findings come ahead of what could be the final negotiations for a legally binding global plastics treaty, with over 100 countries pushing for production limits.
The report warns that plastics endanger human health and the environment at every stage of their lifecycle, from fossil fuel extraction to disposal, and should be addressed as a public health emergency.
Global plastic production has increased more than 200 times since 1950 and is projected to nearly triple by 2060, surpassing one billion tonnes annually.
Much of the growth has been driven by single-use products such as takeaway containers and beverage bottles, which dominate waste streams and fuel pollution.
Opposition to production caps is led by oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, and industry lobbyists, who argue that recycling should remain the main solution.
The review rejects this approach, saying plastics are chemically complex, often non-recyclable, and overwhelmingly derived from fossil fuels, with production releasing 2.2 billion US tons of CO₂ each year.
Less than 10 percent of all plastics ever produced have been recycled, while more than 8.8 billion US tons of waste now pollute ecosystems from mountain peaks to deep ocean trenches.
The authors link plastic exposure to cancer, birth defects, impaired fertility, lung disease, and heart attacks, with the heaviest impacts on infants and children.
Microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in human blood, brains, breast milk, placentas, semen, and bone marrow, yet their long-term health effects remain poorly understood.
The report’s lead author, Prof Philip Landrigan, said strong treaty measures are needed to protect both people and the planet, warning that vulnerable communities bear the highest health and economic burdens.
Co-author Margaret Spring said the evidence base will support policymakers in crafting science-driven strategies to address plastic pollution at national, regional, and global levels.
