Environment (DT/AP ) – According to a new study, the world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution annually, dispersing it from the deepest oceans to the highest mountaintops and even within human bodies. The report highlights that over two-thirds of this pollution originates from the Global South.
This unprecedented level of plastic waste underscores the urgent need for more effective waste management strategies and global action to address the escalating environmental crisis. As plastic waste continues to accumulate in landfills, oceans, and natural habitats, experts are calling for immediate and significant changes to curb the impact of this growing pollution problem.
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Researchers from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom have found that the annual plastic pollution, totaling about 52 million metric tons, could fill New York City’s Central Park to the height of the Empire State Building. This finding comes from a study published in Wednesday’s issue of Nature, which analyzed waste data from over 50,000 cities and towns worldwide.
The study focused on plastic that escapes into the environment, rather than plastic disposed of in landfills or properly incinerated. According to the authors, a significant factor contributing to the high levels of plastic waste in regions like Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa is the failure of governments to collect and manage waste. This issue affects 15% of the global population, including 255 million people in India.
According to study author Costas Velis, a professor of environmental engineering at Leeds, Lagos, Nigeria, is the leading city for plastic pollution. Other major contributors include New Delhi, Luanda (Angola), Karachi (Pakistan), and Al Qahirah (Egypt).
India tops the global list for plastic pollution, generating 10.2 million tons (9.3 million metric tons) annually—more than double the amount produced by the next highest polluters, Nigeria and Indonesia. While China is often criticized for its pollution, it ranks fourth but is making significant progress in reducing waste, Velis noted. Other major plastic polluters include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, and Brazil. Together, these eight countries account for over half of the world’s plastic pollution, according to the study.
According to the study, the United States ranks 90th in plastic pollution, generating over 52,500 tons (47,600 metric tons) annually, while the United Kingdom is 135th, with nearly 5,100 tons (4,600 metric tons).
In 2022, the majority of the world’s nations committed to creating the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including its impact on oceans. Final negotiations for the treaty are scheduled to take place in South Korea this November.
Several studies this year have investigated the prevalence of microplastics in drinking water and human tissues, such as hearts, brains, and testicles. However, doctors and scientists are still uncertain about the potential health risks these particles pose.
According to Velis, the major concern is the widespread dispersion of microplastics, particularly in the Global South. “We already face a significant dispersal issue,” Velis noted. “Microplastics are found in the most remote locations—from the peaks of Everest to the Mariana Trench, and even in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.”
Velis described the issue as “everybody’s problem” and one that will affect future generations. He emphasized that the responsibility should not fall solely on the Global South, nor should the Global North take undue credit for its efforts.
Velis attributed the issue to a lack of resources and the government’s inability to provide essential services to its citizens.
Some experts are concerned that the study’s emphasis on pollution rather than overall production may absolve the plastics industry of responsibility. The production of plastics generates significant greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Neil Tangri, senior director of science and policy at GAIA, a global network focused on zero waste and environmental justice, expressed concern: “The study narrows the definition of plastic pollution to macroplastics released into the environment after consumer use. This focus risks diverting attention from upstream issues, such as production practices, and may lead to the mistaken belief that better waste management alone will solve the problem. While waste management is important, it’s only part of the broader issue.”
Velis noted that the volume of plastic waste traded globally is relatively small. Kara Lavender Law, an oceanography professor at the Sea Education Association who was not involved in the study, concurred with this assessment, citing trends in U.S. plastic waste. She also acknowledged that this study is one of the most comprehensive investigations into plastic waste to date.
Officials from the plastics industry have praised the study for highlighting the critical role of waste management. “This study emphasizes that uncollected and unmanaged plastic waste is the largest contributor to plastic pollution and underscores the need to prioritize effective waste management to address the issue,” said Chris Jahn, council secretary of the International Council on Chemical Associations. The industry, however, is opposed to imposing a cap on plastic production in treaty negotiations.
The United Nations forecasts that global plastic production will increase from approximately 440 million tons (400 million metric tons) per year to over 1,200 million tons (1,100 million metric tons), warning that “our planet is choking on plastic.”