Greenhouse gas emissions linked to plastic production and waste are expected to increase by 37% by 2050, according to researchers.
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Scientist says study of global plastic waste is encouraging, but the best strategy is to drastically reduce plastic use in the first place.

Modeling published in the journal Science suggests that plastic waste is expected to double by 2050.

The study also reveals that greenhouse gas emissions linked to plastic production and waste management are expected to increase by 37% over the same period.

According to the study, if just four of the eight interventions envisaged for the UN Plastic Pollution Treaty were adopted, global plastic waste could be reduced by around 90% in 25 years.

ESR researcher Olga Pantos said policies to reduce plastic waste were “encouraging”, but plastics posed a significant risk to the environment and human health.

“The other fates of end-of-life plastics are immense and only getting worse.

“The most important and effective thing we can do is dramatically reduce our use of plastics… (and) every piece of plastic we refuse or voluntarily do not bring into our lives reduces harm by point where fossil fuels are extracted from the ground to make the plastic polymer.

“It also reduces the need for all other chemicals used in plastic production – around 4,000 of which are known to have negative effects on human health – thereby reducing transport-related emissions, eliminating the risk that plastic or the plastic item becomes pollution during its long journey from the factory to your doorstep.

“We are facing a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Plastic is a major contributor and amplifier of these three factors. It is essential that an ambitious and effective treaty, based on scientifically sound evidence, is concluded to ensure a safe and sustainable future for generations to come.