Today, people across the globe are marking World Environment Day, a United Nations initiative that has been observed annually on June 5 since its founding in 1973. This year’s spotlight falls on plastic pollution, with South Korea serving as the host country and the island province of Jeju at the centre of global celebrations. The 2025 theme, #BeatPlasticPollution, urges nations, communities, industries, and individuals to take bold action against the mounting crisis of plastic waste. Spearheaded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the campaign emphasizes reducing plastic use, increasing reuse and recycling, and rethinking consumption habits.
Plastic Pollution: A Global Emergency
Plastics are deeply embedded in daily life, from packaging to electronics, but their environmental toll is staggering. Since the 1950s, humanity has produced approximately 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic—7 billion tonnes of which have become waste. Alarmingly, plastic production consumes around 6% of global oil, making it a significant driver of the climate crisis. Each year, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste find their way into rivers, lakes, and oceans. These plastics degrade into microplastics—particles smaller than five millimetres—that now pollute every corner of the Earth, from the Mariana Trench to the summit of Mount Everest.
Research shows the average person consumes over 50,000 plastic particles annually, with some estimates much higher when accounting for airborne microplastics. There is growing concern that nanoplastics—particles under one micrometre—can even penetrate human skin. Microplastics also infiltrate soils, disrupting essential biological processes like photosynthesis and posing a risk to food security. The total social and environmental cost of plastic pollution is now estimated at USD 300–600 billion per year.
Turning the Tide: The Promise of a Circular Economy
Experts and environmental advocates stress that solving the plastic crisis requires a transition to a circular economy—one that reimagines how plastic is designed, produced, and reused. While about 21% of plastic is technically recyclable, only 9% is recycled, largely due to economic and logistical barriers. The circular model promotes designing products that are durable, reusable, and easy to recycle while discouraging the use of unnecessary microplastics in manufacturing. Improved waste collection and recycling infrastructure is also essential to prevent plastics from leaking into ecosystems and breaking down into microplastics.
South Korea: A Model for Action
South Korea, and particularly its host province Jeju, is emerging as a global leader in tackling plastic waste. With a national strategy that spans the full plastic lifecycle, South Korea has implemented extended producer responsibility, compelling companies to manage the waste they generate. Jeju’s ambitious goal to become plastic pollution-free by 2040 sets a high bar for others to follow. The island has introduced a deposit-refund system for single-use cups and mandates the use of specialized recycling centres, resulting in better waste separation and increased recycling rates. This year’s World Environment Day celebrations highlight Jeju’s commitment to sustainability and offer a powerful example of how policy, industry, and citizen engagement can converge to drive meaningful change.
A Shared Responsibility
As World Environment Day reminds us, addressing plastic pollution is a shared responsibility. The call to #BeatPlasticPollution is not just about cleanup—it’s about redesigning systems, rethinking choices, and reshaping economies. With scientific evidence mounting and public awareness growing, 2025 may prove to be a turning point in humanity’s relationship with plastic. And as South Korea shows, a cleaner, more sustainable future is within reach—if we act now.
