Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time, threatening human health, biodiversity, and progress across the Sustainable Development Goals. From oil extraction and plastic production to product use and disposal, harmful substances are released into the environment. Microplastics and nanoplastics have now entered our food and water systems, with risks that include hormone disruption, cancers, and immune disorders. Each year, an estimated 63 million tonnes of plastic end up in landfills, 51 million tonnes leak into nature, and as much as 13 million tonnes flow into the ocean, killing marine life and damaging fragile ecosystems.

UNDP supports countries in tackling plastic pollution across its entire value chain—reducing production and consumption, improving waste management systems, and promoting alternatives. Our work focuses on practical, whole-of-society solutions that connect global policy frameworks with national action and community-driven innovation.

Through more than 200 projects and over 1,000 community initiatives related to plastics and waste management in 132 countries, UNDP helps governments integrate plastic into national policies and regulations, strengthen solid waste systems, and access innovative financing. UNDP’s Accelerator Labs have added another dimension, piloting creative, people-centered approaches to behaviour change and circular economy models in countries.

Key focus areas include:

• Cities: supporting municipalities to modernize waste management and create new business models.
• Islands: piloting “zero plastic waste” island initiatives.
• Oceans: applying a source-to-sea approach to stop marine litter at its source.
• Humans: raising awareness and shifting behavior through education and targeted campaigns.

Partnerships are central to this work. UNDP convenes governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society to accelerate action, while also bridging access to finance through the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), and other donors. We are also engaging with alliances such as the Ocean Cleanup and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste to expand solutions on the ground.

Together, these efforts contribute to a future where plastics are eliminated where possible, alternatives are developed and scaled, and waste is managed sustainably to protect people and planet.