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June 5, 2025, Cairo, Egypt – World Environment Day 2025 will be observed on June 5th. Guided by the United Nations environment program (UNEP), this year’s campaign focuses on the fight against plastic pollution, urging countries, organizations and individuals to act together to protect the planet.
While plastic materials have benefits, including energy saving and resource conservation, increasing plastic pollution represents a significant threat to our planet and our health.
All over the world, plastic pollution is contaminating water supply, food sources and the air we breathe. While plastic breaks, they enter the food chain. The microplastics were detected in human arteries, lungs, brains and breast milk.
The consumption of global plastic will be expected to reach 516 million tons this year and if the current consumption models will continue, it will rise to over 1.2 billion tons per year by 2060.
Environmental factors contribute to the death of about 13 million people around the world every year. Almost half of these deaths are attributed to air pollution. The health and economic costs of the unhealthy atmospheric pollution currently amount to $ 2.9 trillion.
World Environment Day, we urge communities to support lasting solutions to combat plastic pollution. Historically, recycling was a key strategy to mitigate plastic waste. However, only 9% of the plastic materials produced globally are recycled and it is estimated that only 21% of the plastic is economically recyclable, which means that the value of recycled materials covers collection, sorting and processing costs.
The advantages of dealing with plastic pollution include cleaner oceans and landscapes, healthier individuals and ecosystems, improvement of stronger climatic resilience and economies. The transition to a circular economy for plastic is essential for a sustainable future. We must rethink the way we design, produce and use plastic. The products should be designed by thinking about multiple uses in mind and recycling.
This transformation requires the commitment of the parties concerned through the plastic value chain. A right transition is needed to protect the sustenance of waste collectors and affected communities, leaving no one behind them.
There are solutions. In 2022, at the United Nations Environment Assembly, the Member States agreed to start negotiations on a legally binding international tool to face plastic pollution, including its impact on marine environments. Since then, the countries have convened 5 sessions of the intergovernmental negotiation committee (inc) on plastic pollution to work towards a global agreement.
World Environment Day, we must seize the opportunity to combine our efforts to combat plastic pollution and preserve our planet for future generations.
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