LocationsWorld Environment Day Blog by Abdul-Razak Saeed, Programme Specialist, & Head, Environment & Climate and Catherine Adodoadji-Dogbe, Programme Analyst
Ending Plastic Pollution for Sustainability
June 5, 2025
Photo: UNDP
Plastic pollution is a pervasive problem affecting ecosystems and communities across the globe. Every year, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide, yet only 10% of it is recycled. The rest is either burned, buried or left to pollute the natural environment. One of the most alarming consequences is the leakage of approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic into the ocean per year. The social and environmental costs linked to plastic pollution ranges between USD 300-600 billion per year. This year’s World Environment Day themed, “Ending Plastic Pollution”, seeks to raise awareness about the global issue of plastic pollution and encourage urgent action to end it.
In Ghana, plastics are a part of daily life, from sachet water to food packaging and shopping bags. However, the adverse effects of poor plastic waste management are starkly apparent as urban drains are clogged with plastic waste and water bodies polluted with plastic debris. It is estimated that 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated annually in Ghana, yet only a 9. 5% is collected for recycling. The rest often ends up in landfills, open dumps, or the environment, exacerbating flooding in cities, harming wildlife, and posing health risks to communities.
Vivian Ahiayibor, Managing Director of City Waste, one of the winners of UNDP's Waste Innovation Challenge in Ghana.
Photo @Ernestina Ocansey/ UNDP Ghana
Recognizing the severity of the plastic crisis, the Government of Ghana has taken bold action to tackle the challenges. The National Plastics Management Policy and the Ghana National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP) reflect the government's objective to transition to a circular economy approach in the plastics sector. Through initiatives such as the Circular Economy Framework for the Plastic Sector project (CEF-PS), efforts are underway to encourage recycling and the sustainable use of resources. Furthermore, on the international front, Ghana is an active participant in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC), contributing to ongoing negotiations aimed at reducing plastic production, eliminating single-use plastics, fostering sustainable alternatives, and holding corporations accountable for every stage of their products’ lifecycle from production to disposal.
UNDP Ghana is committed to partnering with the government as the country works towards ending plastic pollution. Through initiatives like the Waste Recovery Platform (WRP), UNDP raises public awareness of the adverse environmental impacts of plastic pollution, promoting a culture of sustainable consumption and responsible waste management. As part of the GEF funded CEF-PS project, UNDP will provide critical support to the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST) by facilitating stakeholder engagement, data driven solutions, and enabling knowledge-sharing initiatives through the WRP platform.
While these interventions are paving the way for a sustainable future, the fight against plastic pollution requires continued collaboration and commitment from governments, businesses, and individuals. Collective actions to end plastic waste include:
Intensifying Collective Awareness
Some UNDP national service personnel, along with UNVs and UNFPA fellows, walking on the streets of Mokola Market, holding informative placards advocating the need to combat plastic pollution.
Photo @Louisa Sarfowaa Antwi / UNDP Ghana
Intensifying collective awareness in communities is a vital step toward reshaping public behaviours and addressing plastic pollution effectively. Educational campaigns conducted through schools, community workshops, or public initiatives, play a central role in creating a well-informed society that understands the impact of plastic waste and its environmental consequences. Schools can integrate interactive programmes into their curriculum to teach students about the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic, fostering eco-conscious habits from an early age. Empowering individuals with knowledge will inspire them to become active advocates in combating plastic pollution within their own communities and beyond.
Champion Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics
Some of the UNFPA and UNDP Ghana youth that participated in the Twitter Chat
Photos @Francis Ametepey/UNDPGhana
Championing alternatives to single-use plastics is a critical strategy for reducing plastic waste at its source and transitioning to more sustainable practices. Individuals can make significant contributions by shifting to reusable items such as bags, bottles, containers, and cutlery, which not only minimize waste but also reduce the environmental footprint of daily activities. At the same time, industries must play a proactive role by designing and offering eco-friendly solutions, such as biodegradable packaging and products made from recycled materials. By making these alternatives widely available and affordable, businesses can encourage environmentally conscious choices among consumers while reinforcing a commitment to sustainability in the market.
Enhance Waste Segregation and Recycling Systems
Enhancing waste segregation and recycling systems are building blocks for transforming how societies manage plastic waste and for building sustainable circular economies. Policymakers and local governments can lead the way by investing in infrastructure that supports efficient waste segregation at the household, community, and industrial levels, ensuring that recyclable materials are separated from organic waste and non-recyclables. The establishment of more accessible collection points, sorting facilities, and technologically advanced recycling plants can significantly increase the volume of plastics that are repurposed instead of disposed off in landfills or the environment especially after single-use. Collaboration with private entities and innovators in the recycling sector will also help drive circular systems where resources are reused instead of discarded.
The global plastic crisis demands a united, whole-of-society approach. By intensifying collective awareness, championing alternatives to single-use plastics, and significantly enhancing waste segregation and recycling infrastructure, we can drive profound change. As individuals, communities, and nations work together, we are not only poised to end plastic pollution but also pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable planet for generations to come.
Ending plastic pollution requires collective action and commitment from governments, businesses, and individuals. By intensifying collective awareness, championing alternatives to single-use plastics, and enhancing waste segregation and recycling infrastructure, we can drive profound change.
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