Environment

This brief exposes the plastic industry’s PR playbook by mapping nine recurring frames the industry uses to delay action, distort public understanding, and keep production reduction off the policy agenda - from recycling myths and bioplastics promises to victim-blaming campaigns. It shows how the plastics industry has systematically used these tactics to protect its own legitimacy, promote false solutions, and deflect responsibility for the plastics crisis. 

The report exposes the environmental and health risks linked to the growing use of incinerator bottom ash (IBA) in construction materials. IBA contains hazardous substances, including heavy metals, PFAS, persistent organic pollutants, and microplastics, which can leach into soil and water over time. Promoting IBA as a “circular” material risks spreading pollution, locking Europe into waste incineration, and undermining the transition to a truly non-toxic circular economy.

Plastic production and pollution have a negative effect on the environment and climate change. Using detailed global and regional datasets coupled with socioeconomic data, machine learning was employed to predict that annual mismanaged plastic waste will nearly double by 2050. Annual GHG emissions from plastic are projected to grow by 37%. Four simulated treaty policies could reduce mismanaged plastic waste by 91% and GHG emissions by one-third.

In recent years, Turkey has emerged as a global hub for plastic waste processing, primarily fueled by imports from countries such as the UK and members of the European Union. This study investigates the environmental impacts of illegal wastewater discharges from plastic recycling facilities in Adana, a major plastic waste import hub in Turkey. 

Plastic production remains the most resource-intensive area of petrochemicals. This puts a serious strain on the economy and the environment, and indirectly finances military conflicts, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Thus, the modern global energy system is at a turning point.

This study proposes intersectoral collaboration to achieve zero plastic pollution. The authors an intersectoral dialogue amongst scientists, manufacturers, regulators and representatives of civil society about how to alleviate the negative impacts of plastic pollution. Circular economy offers a framework for selecting non-toxic chemicals, extending product (re)use, and waste reduction, which act to alleviate pollution when applied to plastics. 

The development of End-of-Waste criteria can support the EU’s transition to a circular economy. EU EoW policy must be driven by transparency and traceability, clarity and enforceability, and non-toxicity. This will enable genuine circularity, ensure high protection of human health and the environment, and support the EU's leadership in high-quality waste-derived materials.

Global mismanagement of plastics is breaching planetary boundaries and the human right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Plastic pollution and its lifecycle emissions are damaging the lives and wellbeing of populations worldwide, but the magnitude of manifold health impacts have not yet been fully quantified. Demonstrating the scale and showing less visible sources could propel more ambitious action to end pollution.