We’re only three-quarters of the way through 2024, and we’ve already produced more plastic waste than our planet can handle. This alarming reality is highlighted by Plastic Overshoot Day, which falls on September 5th this year. This day marks the point when the amount of plastic waste generated by humanity surpasses the capacity of our waste management systems.
According to a report by Swiss NGO Earth Action, over 220 million tonnes of plastic waste will be generated in 2024. This means that 66% of the global population lives in areas where plastic waste has already exceeded local waste management capabilities. The report comes at a crucial time, just before final negotiations for an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution in November in South Korea. Earth Action will be actively engaging with corporations and delegates to push for this treaty.
The report reveals that a mere 12 countries are responsible for 60% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste, with the top five being China, Russia, India, Brazil, and Mexico. Although no country is immune to plastic waste, with an average of 28 kg generated globally per person annually (a 7.11% increase since 2021), the Earth simply cannot handle this volume. One-third of all plastic waste will be mismanaged at the end of its life, resulting in a staggering 69.5 million tonnes of plastic accumulating in nature.
This year’s report also considered plastic waste from the textile industry and household waste, going beyond the focus on plastic packaging waste from the inaugural report. While there have been improvements in plastic waste management practices, pushing the Plastic Overshoot Day to September 5th (as opposed to September 4th last year), the overall quantity of mismanaged plastic waste remains relatively unchanged due to the ever-increasing plastic production. This means that the plastic waste generated from September 5th to the end of 2024 will likely be poorly managed.
To combat this crisis, we need to move beyond the flawed assumption that recycling alone will solve the problem. Instead, we must focus on sustainable solutions like designing plastics for recyclability, reducing plastic consumption, reusing plastic items, eliminating unnecessary packaging, and investing in innovative, non-polluting alternatives. The urgency for change is undeniable, not only to protect the environment and our health but also to safeguard businesses and their profits.
The proposed UN Treaty represents a crucial step towards a comprehensive solution, addressing issues from curtailing the production of unnecessary plastics to banning specific harmful chemicals and establishing ambitious recycling targets. Earth Action, alongside a network of over 35 global organizations, is actively working with businesses, governments, and SMEs to assess their plastic footprint and guide them towards circular business models.
Plastic Overshoot Day serves as a stark reminder that the time for action is now. Continuing on this trajectory of unchecked plastic production is not only environmentally unsustainable but also threatens the prosperity of businesses and humanity alike. It’s time to move beyond temporary fixes and invest in lasting solutions to prevent an impending catastrophe. Our planet can no longer afford the cost of inaction.
