Apr 23, 2024 · Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous in natural and built environments, raising concerns about potential harm to humans and nature alike. Once in the environment, research shows that plastic pollution is persistent and may take between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions.

Dec 15, 2024 · Plastic products are indispensable across various applications, yet their disposal poses significant environmental hazards, such as groundwater contamination, soil degradation, and marine ecosystem threats, impacting both human health and ecological balance.

Feb 1, 2025 · Transfer of plastic pollution in floodwater could disseminate human pathogens. Fluvial flooding introduces plastics and pathogens into agricultural systems. The frequency of plastic debris entering agricultural land is likely going to increase due to increased discharge into surface waters and more frequent flood events.

Feb 14, 2025 · Interventions to capture and remove plastic pollution, including micro/nanoplastic pollution, from wastewater, stormwater, and surface waters are needed to help address potential risks to human and ecosystem health.

Apr 25, 2023 · Unlike other materials, plastic does not biodegrade. This pollution chokes marine wildlife, damages soil and poisons groundwater, and can cause serious health impacts. Is pollution the only problem with plastic? No, it also contributes to the climate crisis.

One to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans yearly, affecting wildlife and ecosystems. Improving the management of plastic waste across the world – especially in poorer countries, where most of the ocean plastics come from – is therefore critical to tackling this problem.

Feb 4, 2025 · Plastic pollution, harmful accumulation of synthetic plastic products in the environment. Plastics are persistent large-scale pollutants, and plastic debris (such as bottles, straws, containers, and plastic wrap) and particulates have been found in many environmental niches, from Mount Everest to the bottom of the sea.

Jul 2, 2021 · Potential impacts from poorly reversible plastic pollution include changes to carbon and nutrient cycles; habitat changes within soils, sediments, and aquatic ecosystems; co-occurring biological impacts on endangered or keystone species; ecotoxicity; and …

Feb 8, 2022 · Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change, directly affecting millions of people’s livelihoods, food production capabilities and social well-being. UNEP’s body of work demonstrates that the problem of plastic pollution doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

Humanity produces more than 400 million tonnes of plastic each year, much of which ends up in the environment. Throughout 2024, UNEP led a global movement to end this plastic pollution, which is a mounting threat to human and planetary health. UNEP provided technical support to over 30 countries as they developed regulations to reduce plastic pollution at its source, improve the design of ...