Environment Day sparks global call to end plastic pollution

As plastic waste continues to flood ecosystems and threaten public health, the world is marking the 52nd annual World Environment Day with a renewed call to end plastic pollution.

The United Nations (UN) has warned that this crisis could triple in aquatic ecosystems by 2040 if urgent action is not taken.

This year’s theme, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” highlights the scale and urgency of the global plastic problem.

According to the UN, 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year, half of which is designed for single use. Alarmingly, only 10 percent of this is recycled, while an estimated 19 to 23 million tonnes leak into rivers, lakes and oceans annually.

Without meaningful intervention, the environmental cost could be catastrophic. By 2040, plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems could rise by 50 percent, while pollution in marine and freshwater environments is projected to triple. Air pollution driven in part by plastic production and incineration may also exceed safe levels by 50 percent within the next decade.

Microplastics, which are tiny particles formed as plastic breaks down, are now present in food, drinking water, and even the air we breathe. The average person is believed to ingest more than 50,000 plastic particles every year, with potentially higher exposure through inhalation.

Plastic particles have also been detected in human breast milk and brain tissue, raising alarm over the long-term health implications.

To rally momentum, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is leading this year’s commemoration, which also supports ongoing efforts to establish a global treaty to end plastic pollution.

Countries are currently negotiating a legally binding agreement, with the next round of talks scheduled for August. The treaty is expected to address the full life cycle of plastic from production to disposal, and advance alternatives to single-use products.

In a message to mark the day, António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, described plastic pollution as a “scourge” that is “choking our planet” and harming both nature and people.

“Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife. And as it breaks down, it infiltrates every corner of Earth. Together, let’s end the scourge of plastic pollution and build a better future for us all,” he said.

Guterres called for a treaty that is “ambitious, credible and just,” and urged accelerated efforts toward waste reduction, reuse, and accountability.

Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, also called on nations to unite around innovative solutions and alternatives to plastic use.

World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, is the largest international platform for environmental awareness and action. This year’s focus is expected to drive attention to the upcoming UN Environment Assembly, where countries aim to take more decisive steps to curb plastic pollution and address the broader climate emergency.