Plastic Pollution: A Global Crisis Of Plastic Consumption

Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue. The world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution every year, with India leading the way, producing 10.2 million tons annually. A 2017 study estimated that Asian countries contributed 86% of plastic emissions to the ocean. While it is often assumed that much of the world's plastic waste is recycled, only 9% is. Half of the world's plastic goes straight to landfill, and a further fifth is mismanaged, meaning it is at risk of leaking into rivers, lakes and the ocean.

Plastic pollution in the ocean

The world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution per year, with India being the biggest polluter, producing 10.2 million tons a year. This is far more than double the next big-polluting nations, Nigeria and Indonesia. China, often villainized for pollution, ranks fourth but is making tremendous strides in reducing waste.

Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person. However, what’s most important for plastic pollution is how much of this waste is mismanaged, meaning it is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills. Mismanaged waste tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries, as these countries tend to have poorer waste management infrastructure.

Only 9% of the world's plastic is recycled, and half of the world's plastic goes straight to landfill. A further fifth is mismanaged, putting it at risk of being leaked into rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

A 2017 study estimated that Asian countries contributed 86% of plastic emissions to the ocean.

Plastic waste in landfills

The world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution per year, with India leading the way, producing 10.2 million tons a year. This is far more than double the next big-polluting nations, Nigeria and Indonesia.

Only 9% of the world's plastic is recycled, and half of it goes straight to landfill. Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but it is the mismanagement of this waste that is most important for plastic pollution. Mismanagement means that plastic waste is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills, and is therefore at risk of leaking into the environment. Mismanaged waste tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries, which tend to have poorer waste management infrastructure.

A 2017 study estimated that Asian countries contributed 86% of plastic emissions to the ocean. However, for 15% of the world's population, governments fail to collect and dispose of waste, which is a big reason why Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa produce the most plastic waste. This includes 255 million people in India. The biggest plastic-polluting cities are Lagos, Nigeria; New Delhi, India; Luanda, Angola; Karachi, Pakistan; and Al Qahirah, Egypt.

Plastic waste in low-to-middle-income countries

The world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution every year. While rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, the amount of mismanaged plastic waste tends to be much higher in low-to-middle-income countries. This is because these countries tend to have poorer waste management infrastructure. For example, for 15% of the world's population, governments fail to collect and dispose of waste, and this is a big reason why Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa produce the most plastic waste. India leads the world in generating plastic pollution, producing 10.2 million tons a year, far more than double the next big-polluting nations, Nigeria and Indonesia.

The true cost of dealing with plastic waste is 10 times higher for low-income countries than richer nations, despite them consuming the material far less. The lifetime cost of a kilogram of plastic for low and middle-income countries is around $150, compared to $19 for wealthier nations. Low and middle-income countries have minimal influence on which plastic products are produced and how they are designed, yet are often expected to manage these products once they reach their end-of-life.

The UK has been sending plastic waste to low- and middle-income countries despite a partial ban on the practice that went into effect across the EU on 1 January 2021.

Plastic waste in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are two of the world's worst regions for plastic waste. The world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution per year, and Asian countries contribute 86% of plastic emissions to the ocean. India is the world leader in generating plastic pollution, producing 10.2 million tons a year. However, for 15% of the world's population, governments fail to collect and dispose of waste, which is why Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa produce the most plastic waste.

Southeast Asia is a hotspot for plastic pollution, largely due to rapid urbanisation, a growing middle class, and underdeveloped waste management infrastructure. Countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand are some of the major contributors to mismanaged plastic waste. In Thailand, 27% of the country's 27.8 million tons of plastic waste in 2018 was improperly disposed of, including via open dumping. More than half of Indonesia's landfills are open dumpsites, where waste is piled improperly, increasing the risk of floods, fires, and trash avalanches. Single-use plastic consumption is still worryingly high in these countries, and comprehensive bans or taxes, such as on single-use bags, are few to non-existent.

The plastic waste problem in Southeast Asia is causing tainted water, failed crops, and respiratory illnesses. Fish are ingesting plastic, and dead whales are turning up in Thailand and Indonesia with many kilograms of plastic in their stomachs. Policymakers in Southeast Asia have yet to prioritise waste management and need to significantly invest in improving waste infrastructure and facilities.

Sub-Saharan Africa is also facing a plastic waste crisis, with the region projected to produce almost six times more plastic waste in 2060 than it did in 2019. Much of the plastic being used in Sub-Saharan Africa is plastic packaging that ends up being dumped and burned. The health of people in countries such as Malawi is being impacted by plastic pollution every day.

Plastic pollution in cities

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue in cities around the world. A recent study found that the world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution each year, with India being the leading country, generating 10.2 million tons annually. This plastic pollution spreads from the deepest oceans to the highest mountaintops and even inside people's bodies.

Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but the mismanagement of waste is a more critical factor in plastic pollution. Mismanaged waste, which is not recycled, incinerated, or properly landfilled, is at risk of leaking into the environment. Low-to-middle-income countries often have higher rates of mismanaged waste due to poorer waste management infrastructure.

Cities with high population densities and inadequate waste management systems are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. Lagos, Nigeria, for example, is the city that emits the most plastic pollution globally, according to environmental engineering professor Costas Velis. Other cities with significant plastic pollution problems include New Delhi, Luanda (Angola), Karachi (Pakistan), and Al Qahirah (Egypt).

The impact of plastic pollution in cities extends beyond the immediate environmental degradation. Plastic waste can clog drainage systems, leading to flooding during heavy rainfall. It can also contaminate water bodies, posing risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the burning of plastic waste releases toxic fumes, contributing to air pollution and respiratory issues among city dwellers.

To address plastic pollution in cities, it is crucial to implement effective waste management strategies. This includes improving recycling infrastructure, promoting public awareness and education about plastic waste reduction, and ensuring proper disposal methods. By tackling plastic pollution at its source and encouraging sustainable alternatives, cities can reduce their environmental footprint and create healthier living spaces for their residents.

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