Research reveals extent of plastic pollution in environment

The UK ranked 135th globally, producing 4,000 tonnes of plastic per year – the equivalent of less than three plastic bottles per person per year – with littering the biggest source

The first-ever global plastics pollution inventory has uncovered the scale of the problem of uncollected rubbish and the open burning of plastic waste.

University of Leeds researchers applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) modelling to waste management in over 50,000 municipalities globally to estimate how much waste was generated – over 400 million tonnes annually – and what happens to it.

Researchers estimate 52 million tonnes of plastic products entered the environment in 2020, 57% of which was burned in homes, on the streets and in dumpsites, without any environmental controls in place. This uncontrolled burning of plastic, some of which contains potentially harmful chemical additives, is as problematic as littering.

“This is an urgent global human health issue — an ongoing crisis: people whose waste is not collected have no option but to dump or burn it,” said Dr Costas Velis, research leader and academic on Resource Efficiency Systems at the University of Leeds. “Setting the plastics on fire may seem to make them ‘disappear’, but in fact the open burning of plastic waste can lead to substantial human health damage including neurodevelopmental, reproductive and birth defects; and much wider environmental pollution dispersion.”

Over two-thirds of plastic pollution is derived from uncollected rubbish, with almost 15% of the global population living without access to waste collection services – a necessity and a vital aspect of sanitation, alongside water and sewerage services, the researchers said.

“Uncollected waste is the biggest source of plastic pollution, with at least 1.2 billion people living without waste collection services forced to ‘self-manage’ waste, often by dumping it on land, in rivers, or burning it in open fires,” said Dr Josh Cottom, Research Fellow in Plastics Pollution at Leeds. “The health risks resulting from plastic pollution affect some of the world’s poorest communities, who are powerless to do anything about it. By improving basic solid waste management, we can both massively reduce plastic pollution and improve the lives of billions.”

Data reveals India was the largest emitter of pollution, contributing 9.3 million tonnes, around a fifth of the amount, due to their large population and lack of waste collection services. The UK was ranked 135, with around 4,000 tonnes per year – the equivalent of less than three plastic bottles per person per year – with littering the biggest source.

“…the ways in which so much waste is dealt with – like being burned and dumped – is unmeasured and undocumented.”

“Existing official records around the world do not sufficiently reflect reality because the ways in which so much waste is dealt with – like being burned and dumped – is unmeasured and undocumented,” said Ed Cook, Research Fellow in Circular Economy Systems for Waste Plastics at the University of Leeds. “But they are the heart of the problem. We believe our model paints a more realistic picture of waste disposal and pollution worldwide.”

Researchers say this global inventory provides a baseline, akin to those for climate change emissions, that policymakers can apply to develop waste management, resource recovery and wider circular economy plans.

“It’s well established that long-term exposure to burning plastic is linked to cancer, damages immune systems and causes developmental issues as well as harming the environment through polluting the surrounding air, soil, and water,” said Jane Martin, CEO of UK environmental organisation, City to Sea. “The only way to tackle this is to stop plastic pollution at source through legislative change, including a global cap on plastic production and legally binding reusable packaging targets that facilitate a transition from our throw-and-go culture to reuse.”