Impact of microplastics on economic condition in underdeveloped nations

Plastic has multiple benefits, but the main problem is the management of plastic waste generated by first-world countries. Due to easy availability and high consumption, upper-world countries generate a huge amount of plastic waster that ends up in the environment. These plastic debris undergo weathering, leading to microplastic pollution . This problem is faced on a larger scale by underdeveloped countries like African and some Southeast Asian countries. Inadequate plastic waste management results in most of the debris being dumped into water bodies , causing environment deterioration and economic decline for these nations. In recent times, governments and many organizations have gained awareness against microplastic contamination. However, due to the persistent plastic waster present already in the environment, underdeveloped countries are facing a lot of environments as well as economic problems, leading to significant challenges for African nations. It challenges food security, ecological variation, and economic growth. The mismanagement of plastic water in Africa is at its peak, leading to increased plastic pollution in countries with poor and limited solid-waste management and recycling infrastructure, making it difficult to manage the pollution. By developing two worldwide socio-economic models, for forecasting inadequately managed plastic waste up to the year 2050 across 217 countries, it was found that the influence of corruption and lack of education can exacerbate the impact of plastic pollution on economic growth. National plastic strategies haven been under development by many nations around the world, aimed at committing to an improved recycling economy and limiting the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and economy.