The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has raised the alarm, warning that plastic pollution contaminates every corner of the planet and threatens ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
UNEP issued the warning in a report marking the 2025 World Environment Day, saying half of the plastic is designed to be used only once, and 10 per cent was recycled.
It cautioned that if the climate crisis goes unaddressed, with plastic pollution as a major driver, air pollution levels exceeding safe thresholds could rise by 50 per cent within a decade.
The agency added that plastic pollution in marine and freshwater environments may triple by 2040, saying the world produces about 400 million tonnes of plastic every year globally.
According to UNEP, between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems annually, and without urgent action, the figure is expected to rise by 50 per cent by 2040.
Food, water, and air contain microplastics, with the average person estimated to ingest over 50,000 plastic particles yearly and far more when inhalation is included.
According to the agency, plastic pollution in marine and freshwater environments may triple by 2040.
UNEP informed that if the climate crisis goes, hopes are high that nations will finalise concrete steps to curb plastic pollution and address the broader climate emergency at the forthcoming assembly.
UNEP’s report signals danger for Nigeria, which generates a significant amount of plastic waste annually.
Nigeria produces approximately 2.5 million tons of plastic waste each year, over 200,000 tons of which end up in the Atlantic Ocean.
It uses and disposes of around 60 million sachets daily while recycling less than 12% of plastic waste. Over 80% of plastic waste goes to landfills and dump sites.