Plastic Pollution Crisis
Katherine Kim
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As plastic pollution becomes an ongoing and damaging issue, the United Nations is raising alarms about its growing impact. According to the UN, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, yet only 9% is actually recycled. This imbalance has led to an estimated 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaking into aquatic ecosystems annually—and at this rate, the number is expected to increase by 50% by 2040.
But plastic pollution doesn’t stop there. It’s affecting nearly every part of our planet—threatening habitats, harming wildlife, and putting human health at risk. Microplastics have been found in our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Studies show that we ingest more than 50,000 plastic particles each year.
In addition, data from the trade association Plastics Europe shows that 44% of all plastics produced globally are used for packaging. One-third of that plastic is produced in China, which also creates the largest amount of plastic waste. On a per-person basis, Belgium ranks highest in plastic waste generation.
In Nigeria, the Kano State Government has echoed the UN Environment Programme’s concerns, calling for collective action from individuals, organizations, and governments. Dr. Dahiru Hashim, the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, stressed the importance of working together to tackle this environmental challenge.
Works Cited
Prasad, Pawan. “World Environment Day: UN sounds alarm on plastic pollution crisis.” UN News, 4 June 2025, https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/06/1164046. Accessed 13 June 2025.
“UN sounds alarm on plastic pollution crisis.” Innovation Origins, https://ioplus.nl/en/posts/un-sounds-alarm-on-plastic-pollution-crisis.
“UN sounds alarm on plastic pollution crisis, Kano urges collective action.” Quintessence Environmental Consult, https://www.consultqe.com/world-environment-day-un-sounds-alarm-on-plastic-pollution-crisis-kano-urges-collective-action/.
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