Overview

• Only 9% of the 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic produced since 1950 has been recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills, incinerated, or polluting the environment.
• Plastic production has nearly doubled since 2000, with projections indicating it could quadruple by 2050, significantly exacerbating climate and health risks.
• Environmental groups and researchers argue that recycling alone cannot solve the crisis, calling for binding commitments to reduce virgin plastic production globally.
• Wealthier nations are accused of 'waste colonialism,' exporting plastic waste to poorer countries, where informal waste workers face hazardous conditions without protections.
• The EU and activists advocate for a treaty addressing the entire lifecycle of plastics, including production caps, chemical bans, and equitable support for waste management in developing nations.