Harmful Effects of Plastic on Human Health

This report addresses the plastic industry’s claims that chemical recycling, also known as “advanced recycling,” can play a significant role in reducing global plastic pollution. The science and data currently available do not support this claim and actually point to the conclusion that chemical recycling would support expansion of plastic production, while potentially causing unacceptable levels of environmental and social harm.

When China closed its borders to foreign waste in 2018, countries in Southeast Asia were flooded with garbage from the Global North. This investigative report uncovers how communities on the ground were impacted by the sudden influx of foreign pollution, and how they’re fighting back.

A global plastic treaty needs to include an intersectional approach because persons subjected to multiple forms of discrimination or marginalization need to be supported with targeted measures and included in the solution.