A new study reveals that the world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution annually, with the majority of it originating from the Global South.
Researchers from the University of Leeds found that this pollution contaminates environments from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains and even human bodies.
The study focused on plastic that enters the open environment, particularly in regions where waste management is lacking.
Cities in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are the largest contributors to plastic pollution, with Lagos, Nigeria, topping the list.
India, the biggest single contributor, generates over 10 million tons of plastic pollution each year—more than double that of Nigeria and Indonesia, the next biggest polluters.
Despite the Global North often being seen as better managed, the US and UK still contribute significantly, ranking 90th and 135th in global plastic pollution, respectively.
The study highlights the serious human health risks posed by microplastics, which have been found in food, water, and even human tissue.
Though efforts, such as the 2022 agreement for a global treaty on plastic pollution, aim to combat the issue, experts warn that current waste management efforts alone are insufficient, and production must also be addressed.
Critics argue that focusing solely on pollution downplays the role of plastics production, which contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions.
While the plastics industry emphasizes waste management as a solution, environmental advocates stress the need to tackle the root cause: the increasing production of plastics.
