This positions India far ahead of other major contributors, including Nigeria (3.5 million tonnes), Indonesia (3.4 million tonnes), and China (2.8 million tonnes).Globally, around 251 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced annually, with about 52.1 million tonnes unmanaged and released into the environment. With the UN projecting a rise in plastic production from 440 million to over 1,200 million tonnes, addressing the plastic crisis is more critical than ever.
List of most plastic producing countries
Global plastic pollution: A broad perspective
The study, published in Nature, reveals that global plastic production reaches 57 million tonnes each year. This plastic pollution extends from the deepest oceans to the highest mountaintops, infiltrating various ecosystems, including human bodies.
Over two-thirds of this pollution originates from the Global South, with significant contributions from regions where government waste management is inadequate.
Key findings of the study
Researchers examined plastic waste from over 50,000 cities and towns worldwide. The focus was on plastic that enters the open environment, excluding waste that is landfilled or properly incinerated. The study highlights that 15% of the global population, including 255 million people in India, resides in areas with inadequate waste management.
The top eight plastic-polluting nations—India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Brazil, and China—are responsible for over half of the world’s plastic waste. In comparison, the United States and the United Kingdom rank 90th and 135th in terms of plastic pollution, respectively.
International efforts and agreements
In response to the global plastic crisis, world leaders agreed in 2022 to establish the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. Final negotiations for this treaty are scheduled to take place in November in South Korea. The treaty aims to address plastic pollution comprehensively, including its impact on oceans.
Microplastics and health risks
The study utilised artificial intelligence to focus on plastics that are improperly burned or discarded, contributing to microplastic pollution. These microplastics have been found in remote locations, such as the peaks of Everest and the Mariana Trench, and are now prevalent in human bodies. The health implications of these microplastics are still being studied.
Criticism and areas of Concern
Experts have expressed concerns about the study’s narrow focus on pollution rather than the broader issue of plastic production. According to reports, Neil Tangri from GAIA and Theresa Karlsson from the International Pollutants Elimination Network emphasise the need to address both plastic production and the global plastic waste trade. Despite China’s ban on waste imports, the overall waste trade, including plastics, continues to rise.
