By Abdullahi Lukman
As plastic pollution continues to wreak havoc on the environment, human health, and contribute to climate change, experts warn of the urgent need for global solutions.
Over 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced since the 1950s, with approximately 7 billion tonnes now classified as waste.
Elisa Tonda, Chief of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Resources and Markets Branch, emphasized that this crisis is solvable, and addressing it could also unlock significant economic opportunities.
In response, countries are in the midst of negotiating a legally binding international agreement to curb plastic pollution.
This year’s World Environment Day will focus on strategies to prevent plastic waste from contaminating the environment, with an emphasis on reducing single-use plastics and redesigning products to be more durable.
Plastic pollution is a widespread problem, affecting oceans, rivers, lakes, and even remote areas such as Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench.
Single-use plastic items—such as water bottles, takeaway bags, and packaging materials—are a major contributor, overwhelming waste management systems and spilling into the natural world.
“Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges today,” Tonda said. “It harms ecosystems, threatens wildlife, and is now being found in humans, raising concerns about its long-term health effects.”
Microplastics, tiny particles resulting from the breakdown of plastics, have been detected in organs and breast milk, while plastic production itself is responsible for more than 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
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Although recycling is an essential part of the solution, only about 9% of plastic waste is successfully recycled.
Experts say that the current systems cannot keep pace with the surge in plastic production.
Many plastic items are not designed for reuse or recycling, further complicating efforts to manage the growing waste.
“To tackle this, we need to look at the entire lifecycle of plastic products—from production to disposal,” said Tonda. “This includes reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, redesigning products for longevity and recyclability, and preventing plastic from entering the environment in the first place.”
This comprehensive approach could save the world \$4.5 trillion in social and environmental costs by 2040, according to research.
Global efforts are underway, with many nations implementing national laws to restrict single-use plastics and encourage producers to take responsibility for their products.
However, as plastic pollution is a cross-border issue, international collaboration is essential.
In August 2025, negotiators will gather in Geneva for the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which is working to develop a global treaty to combat plastic pollution.
The urgency of the issue is underscored by projections from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which estimates that plastic waste could triple by 2060 if current trends continue.
If no significant changes are made, plastic pollution will only worsen, creating more harm to both the environment and human health.
With time running out, experts emphasize that swift and sustained action is necessary to address the plastic pollution crisis and safeguard the future of the planet.
