We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Projections of plastic leakage to the environment to 2060
Summary
This review examines projected trends for plastic leakage to terrestrial and aquatic environments through 2060, finding that without intervention, plastics use and waste generation are expected to triple, substantially increasing environmental contamination and associated impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Plastic leakage to the environment causes wide-ranging impacts on the environment and human health, and is a key concern for policy makers. With plastics use and waste projected to triple by 2060, this chapter explores the projected trends for leakage to the terrestrial and aquatic environments in the Baseline scenario, which assumes no new policy measures are taken. The chapter also quantifies projected trends in airborne microplastics pollution from tyre and brake wear.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics Pollution
This review addresses the exponential surge in global plastic production since the 1950s and the resulting widespread environmental contamination, projecting that annual production will reach record levels by 2050 without intervention. The authors assess the threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health and evaluate the urgency of transitioning away from current plastic production and waste management systems.
Delineating and preventing plastic waste leakage in the marine and terrestrial environment
Researchers outline the global challenge of plastic waste leaking into marine and land environments, tracing the problem to poor waste management, limited recycling technology, and low public awareness. The commentary calls for upstream design changes and downstream cleanup strategies to reduce plastic litter worldwide.
Marine ecosystems and emerging plastic pollution
This review examines marine plastic pollution as an emerging ecosystem threat, contextualising the problem within global waste generation projections that estimate municipal solid waste will reach 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050, and discussing pathways by which littered and improperly disposed plastics enter marine environments.
Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal
Researchers projected global mismanaged plastic waste (plastic that ends up in the environment rather than being properly collected) through 2060, estimating it could triple from roughly 60–99 million tonnes in 2015 to 155–265 million tonnes annually — with African and Asian countries bearing a disproportionate share. Rivers were identified as the dominant pathway carrying 91% of land-based plastic waste to the ocean.
Global environmental plastics dispersal under OECD policy scenarios towards 2060
Researchers modeled how global plastic pollution would spread through the environment under different policy scenarios developed by the OECD, looking ahead to 2060. They found that even with ambitious policy action, significant amounts of plastic will continue leaking into aquatic environments unless waste management improves dramatically worldwide. The study suggests that coordinated global policies targeting both plastic production and waste management are essential to curb environmental plastic pollution.