A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom has revealed alarming statistics about global plastic pollution. The study found that the world generates a staggering 57 million tons of plastic waste annually, with more than two-thirds originating from the Global South. This amount of pollution is equivalent to filling New York City's Central Park with plastic waste stacked as high as the Empire State Building.
The research focused on plastic waste that enters the open environment, excluding landfill disposal or proper incineration. Shockingly, for 15% of the global population, waste collection and disposal services are inadequate, leading to significant plastic pollution in regions such as Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
