Meghan Hodges
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that cities around the world are battling. With the annual production of plastics increasing nearly 230-fold in the last seven decades, the planet is drowning in plastic waste, which is expected to reach nearly 1 billion tonnes per year by 2060. A significant portion of this waste ends up in our oceans, affecting wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. To address this crisis, cities are employing various strategies, including improving waste management practices, conducting global studies to identify trouble spots, implementing policies to reduce disposable plastic use, and raising public awareness about the issue. The annual World Environment Day, led by UNEP, also plays a pivotal role in uniting countries in the fight against plastic pollution. As the problem continues to mushroom, cities are racing against time to find effective solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global plastic waste per year | 400 million tonnes in 2024, projected to reach 1 billion tonnes by 2060 |
| Global plastic production | Increased nearly 230-fold in 70 years to 460 million tonnes in 2019 |
| Plastic waste in oceans | 1-2 million tonnes per year, or 8 million tonnes per year by another estimate |
| Plastic waste sources | 80% of marine plastic pollution originates on land, with most coming from rivers |
| Plastic pollution by region | Wealthier countries like those in Europe and North America face littering issues, while poorer countries, especially in rural areas, struggle with waste management |
| Data-driven solutions | Global studies and platforms provide data on plastic emissions across cities, helping governments develop evidence-based policies |
| Government interventions | Public awareness campaigns, incentives for recycling, levies, banning certain products, improving waste management |
| Individual actions | Reducing plastic use, reusing items like coffee mugs, pressuring local authorities to improve waste management |
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What You'll Learn
Using data to track plastic pollution indicators
The use of data to track plastic pollution indicators is a critical step in tackling this growing threat to the environment. While plastic pollution is widespread, there is a dearth of data about it, which makes it difficult for governments to justify investments in waste management infrastructure. However, efforts are being made to arm officials with the data they need to make informed decisions.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have developed the Waste Wise Cities Tool, a series of guidelines that help cities measure their plastic waste generation. This tool was used to conduct an audit in Mombasa, Kenya, where officials sorted through the trash of volunteer families and surveyed landfills to understand the volume of plastic waste and its sources. The data collected is shared on the Global Plastics Hub, a platform that tracks 80 plastic pollution indicators, including how much plastic countries trade, how they manage waste, and their policies to counter pollution.
Similarly, the city of Lagos, Nigeria, partnered with UNEP and UN-Habitat to conduct an audit of its waste. The results showed that 34 kg of plastic waste per person per year was leaking into the city's water system, leading to a ban on single-use food containers made from polystyrene foam. This example illustrates how data can drive policy solutions and investments in waste management infrastructure to curb plastic pollution.
In addition to waste audits, other methods for tracking plastic pollution include in situ observation, which involves collecting plastic samples or measurements at various locations over time. Satellite technology is also being explored, with researchers using optical data from satellites to detect floating aggregations of plastic and distinguish them from other materials based on reflectance properties. These technologies can help identify the sources of plastic pollution and track its movement, supporting the development of effective solutions.
Overall, using data to track plastic pollution indicators is essential for informing policy decisions, allocating resources, and measuring the effectiveness of interventions. By addressing data gaps, cities can develop evidence-based strategies to tackle plastic pollution and protect the environment.
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Improving waste management systems
Data-Driven Approaches:
Cities like Lagos are using data to make informed decisions about waste management. By conducting household surveys and visiting dumpsites, they identify problem areas and develop evidence-based policies. This approach helps track plastic pollution indicators, such as the amount of plastic traded, waste management practices, and counter-pollution policies. The Global Plastics Hub, developed by UNEP, is a platform that assists governments in monitoring these indicators and making more effective decisions to reduce plastic pollution.
Banning Single-Use Plastics:
Many cities and countries have implemented bans on single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and straws. Africa stands out as the continent with the most countries adopting a total ban on plastic bag production and use. California has also passed legislation to ban plastic bags by 2026. These bans aim to reduce the amount of disposable plastic that ends up in the environment.
Improving Waste Collection:
Developing countries, particularly in the Global South, face challenges with inadequate waste collection systems. Countries like India, Nigeria, and Indonesia struggle to manage waste due to rapid urbanization and population growth. Rural areas in India often lack waste management services, leading to open burning of plastic waste, which releases harmful chemicals. Improving waste collection infrastructure and services is essential to reducing plastic pollution in these regions.
Controlled Landfill and Incineration:
China has made significant progress in waste management by implementing controlled landfill systems and effectively using incineration. While incineration has been a concern for climate change, China's approach has reduced plastic emissions and proves that proper waste treatment can lead to substantial progress.
Recognizing Informal Waste Workers:
Informal waste workers play a crucial role in recycling a large portion of the world's plastic waste. As countries improve their waste management systems, it is essential to include these workers in the formal economy. Providing fair opportunities, safe working conditions, and social protections for informal waste workers ensures they are not left behind in the transition to a more sustainable future.
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Running public awareness campaigns
#BeatPlasticPollution Campaign
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) leads an annual World Environment Day event, which has become the largest global platform for environmental outreach. This year, World Environment Day joined the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, aiming to end plastic pollution. This campaign encourages individuals to take action, such as asking restaurants to stop using plastic straws, using reusable coffee mugs, and pressuring local authorities to improve waste management.
Data-Driven Campaigns
A global study by Plastics For Change has mapped plastic emissions across 50,000 cities and towns, revealing the extent of plastic pollution worldwide. This data helps identify "trouble spots" and develop evidence-based policies. For instance, the study highlights the issue of littering in wealthier countries and the lack of waste management services in rural areas of developing countries, leading to open-air burning of plastic waste. By sharing such insights, campaigns can raise awareness and advocate for targeted solutions.
Government Initiatives
National and local governments play a vital role in running public awareness campaigns. In the last decade, many governments have adopted policies to reduce disposable plastic use. These include offering incentives for recycling, introducing levies, and banning certain plastic products. For example, China has made significant strides in waste management by implementing controlled landfill systems and effective incineration practices.
Education and Outreach
Educating the public about plastic pollution and ways to reduce plastic use is essential. Campaigns can provide information on the environmental impact of plastic, the longevity of plastic products, and the importance of proper waste management. By empowering individuals with knowledge, campaigns can foster behavioural changes that contribute to plastic pollution reduction.
Public awareness campaigns are a powerful tool in the fight against plastic pollution. By sharing knowledge, encouraging individual actions, and advocating for policy changes, cities worldwide can make significant strides towards reducing the environmental and health impacts of plastic waste.
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Implementing controlled landfill systems
Landfilling is a common method for disposing of plastic waste. However, when plastic waste is mismanaged—not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills—it becomes an environmental pollutant. Plastic waste in landfills can undergo chemical, photochemical, and biological degradation, leading to the formation and spread of microplastics (MPs) and the release of toxic substances. These microplastics and pollutants can then be transported into the surrounding environment through air, water, and leachate, impacting both floral and faunal species.
To address this issue, implementing controlled landfill systems is crucial. Here are some measures that can be taken:
- Sealed Landfills: Ensure that landfills are properly sealed to prevent the leakage of microplastics and pollutants into the surrounding environment. This includes using landfill liners (geomembranes) that are carefully manufactured and installed to minimize defects.
- Landfill Gas Capture: Landfills emit gases, including harmful volatile organic compounds, through the degradation of plastic waste. Capturing and treating these gases can help reduce their environmental impact.
- Leachate Management: Collect and treat leachate, a liquid that forms in landfills due to biological, chemical, and physical processes, to prevent the spread of microplastics and pollutants to water bodies and the environment.
- Regular Monitoring and Maintenance: Implement regular inspections and maintenance of landfills to identify and repair any defects, leaks, or potential sources of environmental contamination.
- Alternative Waste Treatment: Explore alternative waste treatment methods, such as incineration or recycling, to reduce the reliance on landfilling and minimize the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills.
- Public Awareness and Education: Educate the public about the importance of proper waste management, recycling, and the potential environmental impacts of plastic pollution. Encouraging the reduction of plastic use and promoting sustainable alternatives can also help reduce the burden on landfills.
By implementing these controlled landfill systems and improving waste management practices, cities can effectively tackle plastic pollution and minimize the environmental impact of plastic waste disposal.
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Reducing plastic use
The world generated about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2024, and this number is expected to reach nearly 1 billion tonnes per year by 2060. Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, and cities around the world are taking various measures to tackle it. Here are some ways in which cities are reducing plastic use:
Data-driven initiatives
Several organizations are utilizing data to address plastic pollution. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has initiated the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, which aims to end plastic pollution. Additionally, a global study has mapped plastic emissions across 50,000 cities and towns, providing insights into the extent of the problem. This data helps identify trouble spots and develop evidence-based policies to combat plastic pollution.
Waste management improvements
Cities are focusing on improving waste management practices to reduce plastic pollution. This includes implementing controlled landfill systems, effective incineration methods, and recycling initiatives. For example, China has made significant progress in waste management by adopting more controlled landfill and incineration practices.
Public awareness and policy changes
Many governments are running public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the impact of plastic pollution. They are also offering incentives for recycling, introducing levies, and even banning certain plastic products. Dozens of national and local governments worldwide have implemented policies to reduce disposable plastic use.
Reducing single-use plastics
Cities are targeting single-use plastics, which are a significant contributor to littering and pollution. This includes encouraging the use of reusable items, such as coffee mugs, and discouraging the use of plastic straws in restaurants. Individuals are also urged to pressure local authorities to improve waste management practices and reduce the city's overall plastic consumption.
International collaboration
The issue of plastic pollution transcends national borders, and international collaboration is crucial. The hub funded by the governments of Japan, Norway, and the United States serves as a platform for government officials to track plastic pollution indicators and share best practices. This collaboration enables a unified approach to tackling plastic pollution on a global scale.
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