On World Environment Day 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) issued a stark warning about the escalating global plastic pollution crisis. According to UNEP, approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with half designed for single use and only 10% being recycled. Between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems each year, a figure projected to increase by 50% by 2040 without urgent intervention. Microplastics have been detected in food, water, and air, leading to an estimated ingestion of over 50,000 plastic particles per person annually, excluding inhalation. UNEP cautioned that if the climate crisis remains unaddressed, with plastic pollution as a significant contributor, air pollution levels exceeding safe thresholds could rise by 50% within a decade. The agency emphasized the need for an ambitious, credible, and just global agreement addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ensuring swift implementation.

In Nigeria, the Kano State Government echoed UNEP’s concerns, urging collective action from individuals, organizations, and governments to combat plastic pollution. Dr. Dahiru Hashim, the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing this environmental challenge.

World Environment Day 2025, hosted by the Republic of Korea under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution, serves as a global platform to unite governments, businesses, communities, and individuals in the mission to protect and restore the planet. The day also advances progress toward the SDGs, particularly those related to climate action and sustainable consumption. A significant focus is the ongoing push for a global treaty to end plastic pollution, with the next round of negotiations scheduled for August.

Source: EnviroNews