The document discusses the urgent issue of plastic pollution and its relationship to climate change, noting that a significant portion of plastic waste is not recycled and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights the health risks associated with plastic, which include endocrine disruption and environmental injustice, particularly affecting marginalized communities. The study suggests that systemic changes, such as improved waste management and the reutilization of plastic products, are essential in addressing this global crisis.

1. PLASTICWASTEREUTILIZATION:
CLIMATEACTIONONAPLASTIC
PLANET
Presented by Apple Kate Sabar
Analyzing Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action

2. TABLEOFCONTENTS
Introduction
Literature Review
Discussion
Limitations of the Study and
Future Research
Conclusion
1
2
3
4
5

3. INTRODUCTION
Plastic pollution is a major problem in the world. Over 8 billion tons of plastic
have been generated by humanity since 1950; just 9% of this material has been
recycled, with more than half ending up in landfills. Plastic can cause slow but
inevitable environmental destruction in a number of ways, such as suffocating or
poisoning animals that inadvertently eat it, or releasing harmful chemicals into
the groundwater and soil. Larger, more populated countries often produce more
plastic garbage overall ( Plastic Pollution by Country 2023. (n.d.).
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/plastic-pollution-by-
country).

4. LITERATURE
REVIEW

5. Plastic waste affects more than just the oceans.
Fossil fuel-derived plastics make up 6% of the world's oil usage.
As a result, from production to transportation to waste disposal, plastics and
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are closely linked at every stage of the plastic
life cycle, and as such, they play a significant role in climate change.

6. A HUMAN HEALTH AND CLIMATIC ISSUE
PLASTIC POLLUTION IS BOTH

7. PLASTICANDGHG
Due to the greenhouse gas emissions produced, unsustainable plastic manufacture and the
incineration of plastic trash for energy recovery have drawn heavy criticism. The
manufacture of plastic and the burning of plastic garbage generates around 400 million
tons of CO2 annually in Europe. Plastics will be responsible for 1.34 gigatons of greenhouse
gas emissions annually worldwide by 2030 and 2.8 gigatons annually by 2050. The World
Energy Council has projected that if the manufacture and incineration of plastics continue
at their current rate, greenhouse gas emissions will reach 49 million metric tons by 2030
and 91 million metric tons by 2050. GHGs are released even when plastics break down in the
environment.(Walker, Tony R., Policies to Mitigate Climate Change by Addressing Single-Use
Plastic Production and Waste Disposal (June 1, 2021). Available at SSRN:
https://ssrn.com/abstract=3857828)

8. PLASTICANDHEALTH
Plastics include hazardous chemical additions and contaminants that pose a worldwide
health risk to people. It has been demonstrated by science that certain substances can
cause cancer or alter hormone activity, a condition known as endocrine disruption, which
can impede growth, reproduction, and cognitive function. In addition to their known health
effects, many harmful chemical additions linger in the environment and cause
bioaccumulation in exposed organisms. Additionally, studies have shown that microplastics
can be harmful to human health and can serve as pathways for infections to enter our
bodies, which accelerates the spread of illness (Plastics and Human Health: Plastics and the
Environment Series(2023)
https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastics-and-health/).

9. PLASTICANDHEALTH
There are also health effects noted at every stage of the plastic value chain. Examples
include soil and water contamination, chemical exposure to workers, waste incineration-
related air pollution, and pollution at extraction sites. The informal garbage sector exposes
vulnerable people, such as women, children, and marginalized communities, to heightened
risks that raise concerns about environmental injustice and human rights violations. The
harmful effects of plastic are especially severe in fetuses and early children, as they are
associated with heightened chances of childhood cancer, cognitive impairment, stillbirth,
birth abnormalities of the reproductive organs, and preterm. (Minderoo-Monaco Commission
on Plastics and Health, 2023).

10. Recycling is a different animal with a
distinct set of issues. Recycled
plastics are expensive and have little
market value when compared to virgin
materials, which are less expensive.
Because of this, recycling is only
seldom lucrative and needs significant
government subsidies.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
RECYCLING
Compared to incineration, landfilling
has a substantially smaller climate
impact. However, comparable
environmental injustices can be linked
to the location of landfills.
LANDFILLS
Numerous contaminants might be
released when garbage is burned.
Those who live close to facilities and
labor in incinerators are especially
vulnerable to exposures.
INCINERATIONS

12. DISCUSSION
& ANALYSIS

13. Action4
Research indicates that the most
effective way to mitigate the
effects of global warming is to
reuse plastic products as much
as possible. However, the
material the product is composed
of determines how many times it
can be reused.
Action3
Action2
Action1
However, improper handling of
plastic garbage can turn it into
an environmental hazard if it is
not recycled, burned, or stored in
sealed landfills. Every year,
between one and two million
tonnes of plastic enter our
waters, harming ecosystems and
wildlife alike.
There are strategies to lower
emissions at every stage of the
plastic life cycle. However,
systemic changes could be
necessary to halt the expansion
of the plastics industry. For
example, some advocate for using
bio-based feedstocks to reduce
emissions in the refining stage.
Improving the management of
plastic waste across the world –
especially in poorer countries,
where most of the ocean plastics
come from – is therefore critical
to tackling this problem.

14. CONCLUSIONS
Plastics are becoming a global crisis. Pollution from plastic is a global
issue. All phases of the lifecycle of plastics—fossil fuel extraction,
production, manufacture, usage, recycling, and disposal—have a negative
impact on people and the environment. Numerous domains are affected,
such as human rights, human health, biodiversity, and climate change.
The researcher recommends plastic bottle reutilization and interlocal
governance for proper recycling posts and waste management.

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