The Plastic Pollution Issues
Every piece of plastic that’s ever been created still exists in our world. Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to our environment, our wildlife and even our health.
Single-use plastic is the worst culprit. It’s manufactured to last forever, yet it’s often used for only a few minutes before being thrown away. So what can we do to turn the tide on one of the most urgent issues of our time?
The History of plastics
Plastic was originally designed in the early 1900s to replace natural materials such as ivory and tortoiseshell – but since then, its production has escalated to extreme levels. Today, the production of plastic has surpassed all other man-made materials except steel and cement, and it’s expected to increase by 40% over the next decade[1].
Since the 1950s, researchers estimate that humanity has produced 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic – some 7 billion tonnes of which have become waste[2]. Today, we’re producing twice as much plastic waste as we were two decades ago, and less than 10% is successfully recycled[3]. Billions of tonnes of the stuff ends up in our landfills, our rivers and our oceans. And because plastic breaks up, rather than breaking down, it becomes a permanent problem.
Plastic pollution is building up in our oceans, throughout our natural environment, and even in the stomachs of our precious wildlife. And while recycling efforts can make a difference, we can’t just recycle our way out of the issue.
The problems with single-use plastic
The growing rate of plastic production raises problems in many areas of our society. Single-use plastic in particular is contributing to waste and pollution issues, impacting our health, and threatening our oceans and wildlife.
Waste and plastic pollution
Every single day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes. And every year, 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers and seas[4].
It also disproportionately affects marginalised and vulnerable communities living near plastic production and waste sites, as well as waste workers and indigenous populations, according to a report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and environmental justice non-governmental organisation, Azul.
Health impacts
- Studies have shown that microplastics significantly damage cells, leading to cancers, lung disease, and birth defects[5]
- Toxic chemical additives in plastics can alter hormone activity, which disrupts reproduction, growth and cognitive function[5]
- Microplastics may be inhaled, and have been found in human organs and the placentas of unborn babies[6]
- Toxic chemicals such as phthalates and BPA are present in plastic food packaging
Threat to oceans and wildlife
- 8 million tonnes of plastic pollution enters our oceans each year[7]
- More than 270 marine species are affected by marine debris[8] through ingestion, entanglement and chemical contamination[9]
- In the next 30 years, 99% of seabirds will have ingested plastic[8]
Recycling plastic is not enough
- Only 9% of our plastic is recycled, and only 10% of that has been recycled more than once[10]
- Recycled plastics are mostly downcycled, meaning that they’re recycled into products of lesser quality, which are less likely to be further recycled
- Recycling is important, but will never be the solution to our rapidly expanding plastic consumption
The plastic pollution solutions
When we hear these facts, it’s easy to feel hopeless – but the Plastic Free Foundation has shown that small changes by millions of people can add up, making a big impact.
Social movements
Since the launch of Plastic Free July in 2011, millions of people worldwide have participated in this unique social movement, which encourages community, corporate and government action to reduce plastic waste. Designed to help people refuse single-use plastic and reduce plastic waste, at least 174 million people took part in the 2024 challenge, reducing landfill waste by 1,700 million kgs, recyclable waste by 1,200 million kgs, and overall plastic consumption by 390 million kgs.
A global plastics treaty
These kinds of social movements not only influence communities to embrace long-lasting solutions; they can also influence business and governments to take action. Governments can act on overwhelming public support by agreeing on a UN Global Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution with binding global rules. These rules regulate production and consumption, make plastic producers accountable, and ban and phase out the most harmful plastics and chemicals – and global polling done by The Plastic Free Foundation shows strong public support.
Circular economies
We need to replace our current ‘take, make, throw’ economy with a circular economy for plastic and other resources. The Ellen McArthur Foundation describes this as a ‘system where materials never become waste, and nature is regenerated. Products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting’[11].
A circular economy for plastics requires three actions:
Eliminate
We can eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging through redesign, innovation, policies like single-use plastic bans, and delivery models like ‘reuse and refill’.
Innovate
Innovations ensure that the plastics we do need are reusable, recyclable (‘actually’, not ‘technically’), or compostable. Plastic producers and manufacturers also take responsibility for plastics and products over their lifetime.
Circulate
Circulation of plastics keeps them in the economy and out of the environment. Plastic is produced in ways that don’t increase consumption of oil, gas or coal. And plastic packaging is free of hazardous chemicals, with respect to the health, safety, and rights of those involved.
Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastic? Take the Pledge, and join millions of people making a difference for a cleaner future.
