Study Reveals 52 Million Metric Tons of Plastic Waste Created Annually

An alarming report from the University of Leeds has revealed that approximately 52 million metric tons of plastic waste are emitted globally each year. This research, which utilized artificial intelligence to analyze waste management across 50,702 municipalities worldwide, stands as one of the most comprehensive assessments of plastic pollution to date.

The scale of this pollution is staggering; the study asserts that if all the plastic waste were collected, it could fill Central Park in New York City to a height equivalent to that of the Empire State Building.

Ed Cook, a research fellow involved with the study, emphasized the critical nature of understanding the problem’s scope. “We are just starting to get to grips with the nature and scope of the problem,” he said. “This study provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding of where pollution is occurring and what human activities are driving it.”

The findings highlight that uncollected waste is the primary contributor to global plastic pollution, responsible for more than two-thirds of the total. Alarmingly, around 15% of the world’s population—approximately 1.2 billion people—lack access to adequate waste collection services. As a result, they resort to managing their waste by either dumping or burning it.

Dr. Costas Velis, who led the study, stressed the urgency of this issue as it poses serious health risks. “This is an urgent global human health issue—an ongoing crisis,” he remarked. Communities without proper waste collection often have no choice but to burn or discard plastic waste improperly, which can lead to significant health problems, including neurodevelopmental and reproductive disorders, as well as environmental contamination.

According to the study, littering emerged as the leading source of emissions in wealthier nations, while uncollected waste was more prevalent in lower-income regions. Southern Asia stands out as the most significant contributor to global plastic waste, with India identified as the world’s top offender, generating an estimated 9.3 million tons of waste each year—accounting for about one-fifth of the global total.

Following India, Nigeria ranks second with 3.5 million tons of plastic waste produced annually, closely followed by Indonesia at 3.4 million tons. China, once the largest contributor to plastic emissions, is now placed fourth. Researchers noted that China’s reduced contribution reflects improvements in waste management practices, including increased use of waste incineration and regulated landfills.

The study rated the United States relatively favorably, ranking it 90th among the 246 countries evaluated. Meanwhile, some nations in Sub-Saharan Africa showed overall low levels of plastic pollution; however, on a per capita basis, several of these regions emerged as potential ‘hotspots.’ This raises concerns that Sub-Saharan Africa could become the largest source of plastic pollution in the coming decades.

In response to these troubling findings, researchers are advocating for the establishment of a “new, ambitious and legally binding” ‘Plastics Treaty’ designed to address the root causes of plastic pollution. Dr. Josh Cotton highlighted the plight of impoverished communities affected by plastic pollution, noting that they often lack the resources to address these health risks effectively.

Earlier this year, significant steps were taken toward securing a global treaty aimed at combating plastic pollution. During the fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) held in Canada, over 2,500 delegates from 170 member states convened to discuss potential frameworks for action.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State expressed optimism regarding the ongoing negotiations, stating, “We were encouraged by the constructive dialogue among countries during INC-4 and remain optimistic that the text of the agreement can be finalized by the end of 2024.”

Ed Cook added that the dataset generated from this study could assist policymakers in effectively deploying resources to combat plastic pollution, underscoring the importance of addressing this pressing global issue.

Source: abcnews.go.com