1. Action on plastic waste - overview

The plastic pollution crisis is a pressing global challenge that demands immediate attention and decisive action.

With 11 million metric tons of plastic waste entering our oceans each year, and even more polluting land-based ecosystems, the scale of the problem is hard to comprehend. From plastic-choked waterways and threats to human health, to visceral images of marine animals entangled in debris, the impact is visible, profound and far-reaching.

At the heart of the issue is the ongoing production and use of single-use plastics, and the lack of effective waste management infrastructure.

Rapid urbanization, development, and changing consumption patterns continue to drive plastic production. The affordability, utility, and versatility of plastic – along with a persisting culture of disposability that prioritizes convenience over sustainability - means that record amounts of plastic are being manufactured and wasted. It's important to note that plastic is a byproduct of the petrochemical industry, underscoring its complex origins and its intertwined relationship with fossil fuel extraction and refinement.

Collection and recycling infrastructure is nowhere near keeping up with the capacity required. There are approximately 2 billion people globally who live without waste collection services. Broken waste value chains around the world - often lacking investment due to the low financial value assigned to various plastics - mean that plastic waste is far too often not collected, mismanaged, and ending up in the natural environment. Reports indicate that there is a $40 billion funding gap between now and 2040 for waste infrastructure globally.

As you continue reading on this pathway, you will see how solving the plastic pollution crisis requires a multifaceted approach; an approach that encompasses reduction strategies, enhanced waste management infrastructure, and international cooperation.

By promoting reduction strategies, alternatives to single-use plastics, and embracing circular economy principles, we can reduce plastic consumption at the source. Simultaneously, investment in recycling and recovery infrastructure is essential to ensure that plastic waste - past, present, and future - is managed responsibly and efficiently.

As global citizens, we recognize our collective responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations. The time to act is now, and together, we can drive meaningful change and create a world free from plastic pollution.