Tackling plastic
pollution for a
cleaner planet

The rising tide of plastic pollution

Plastic shapes almost every part of modern life, and the waste it leaves behind now reaches the deepest oceans and the food we eat. Reducing that impact is well within reach. Through smarter design, stronger recycling, and credible plastic credit programmes, businesses can cut plastic waste at its source and help restore the ecosystems it affects.

Hawksbill Turtle. Maldives Indian Ocean coral reef.

The path to a cleaner planet runs through the choices businesses make every day, and Green Earth makes those easier to act on. Businesses are well placed to lead this change—reducing the plastic they use and helping recover what has already reached nature. 

What is plastic pollution?

Plastic pollution is the build-up of plastic waste in the environment, where it harms wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. Plastic entered everyday life in the mid-20th century. Production was low at first, and so was waste. From the 1970s onwards it climbed sharply, and in the early 2000s it surged past the previous four decades combined, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Read more: The ultimate guide to plastic credits

Most plastic is durable, cheap, and slow to break down, which is what makes it so useful and so persistent once discarded. Tackling it means understanding where it comes from, what it affects, and the solutions that work at each stage of its life cycle.

Activist collecting plastic bottles on the beach.

Causes of plastic pollution

The widespread use and improper disposal of plastic products drive most plastic pollution. Plastic production is growing faster than that of any other material, and the way plastic is made, used, and discarded all add to the problem.

According to UNEP, around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated each year, and primary plastic production is on track to reach 1,100 million tonnes by 2050.

Single-use plastics

Single-use plastics are made to be used once and thrown away: bags, straws, bottles, and food packaging. They are cheap and convenient, which is why they are everywhere. Packaging alone accounts for 36% of plastic use, and around 85% of it ends up in landfill or as unmanaged waste. Almost all single-use plastic is made from fossil fuels, and more than 8 million tonnes of plastic waste reach the oceans each year.

Read more: Eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics

Improper waste disposal

Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. When it is dumped or burned rather than processed, it reaches rivers and oceans or releases harmful substances into the air. Many regions still lack the infrastructure to manage the volumes they produce, which sends recoverable plastic into the environment.

Microplastics in the ocean

Microplastics are fragments smaller than 5 mm, formed as larger items break down or added to products as microbeads. They are now found in oceans and waterways worldwide and pass into the animals that ingest them. Research published in Environmental Science and Technology estimates that people in the United Kingdom take in 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year through food, water, and air. Simple changes, such as choosing tap water over bottled, lower that intake.

Engineer and recycling waste. 

Plastic production and consumption

Plastic is made from petroleum, a finite resource, and the process is energy-intensive, adding to carbon emissions. Demand keeps rising, with plastic packaging alone growing by more than 3% a year. Addressing production, alongside disposal, is central to reducing plastic pollution.

Read more: Industries with the biggest nature footprints and what their decarbonisation looks like

 Some plastic use is hard to remove entirely. Plastic credits let businesses take responsibility for what remains by funding the collection and recycling of plastic already in the environment. 

Effects of plastic pollution

Plastic pollution affects marine life, human health, the economy, and the wider environment.

Harm to marine life

Plastic is one of the greatest threats to marine life. Large debris such as fishing nets, bags, and six-pack rings entangles turtles, dolphins, whales, and seabirds, and smaller fragments are mistaken for food, causing blockages and malnutrition.

Research from Imperial College London has found that over 90% of seabirds have ingested plastic, a share projected to reach 99% by 2050 unless collection and recycling scale up.

Scuba diver cleaning plastic from the tropical coral reef.

Human health concerns

Plastic reaches the body through more than the food chain. It leaches chemicals from packaging, particularly when heated, and microplastics have now been found in human blood, lungs, and placental tissue. Several of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors: BPA and phthalates are linked to effects on development, fertility, and metabolism, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies styrene as probably carcinogenic to humans. The long-term effects of microplastics are still being studied, and the evidence so far makes reducing exposure a sensible precaution. 

Economic costs

Plastic pollution carries a heavy economic cost: clean-up, lost tourism, and damage to fisheries and marine ecosystems. A World Economic Forum report put the potential cost to the global economy at up to $13 trillion by 2050.

Effects on the environment

Plastic left in the environment contaminates soil and water and disrupts the balance of nutrients that ecosystems depend on. Its production and breakdown also release carbon emissions, including methane and carbon dioxide. Reducing plastic waste therefore supports both healthier ecosystems and lower emissions.

Solutions to plastic pollution

 The strongest results come from acting across the whole life cycle of plastic, from how it is made to how it is recovered. 

Reduce single-use plastics

Reusable alternatives — metal or bamboo straws, refillable containers, cloth bags — cut single-use plastic quickly. A growing number of businesses reward customers who bring their own.

Improve waste management

Strong waste management keeps more plastic in use and out of nature. Investment in recycling and composting infrastructure, together with clear guidance on separating recyclable materials, raises recovery rates.

Read more: 5 Sustainable business practices to achieve net zero

Promote recycling

Businesses raise recycling rates by designing packaging that is easy to recycle, specifying recycled content, and supporting the collection and processing capacity that keeps plastic in use. 

Alternative materials

Paper and biodegradable materials can replace plastic in many uses. Each alternative needs careful assessment to confirm it is genuinely lower-impact across its full life cycle, rather than simply shifting the burden elsewhere.

Read more: What is a life cycle assessment, and why does it matter?

Clean-up efforts

Clean-ups remove plastic that has already reached the environment, and they work best alongside efforts to cut plastic at the source. Green Earth's [Green Wheels Plastic Collection Project] in Sri Lanka shows what this looks like at scale. A fleet of locally made electric bikes collects plastic waste from beaches, riverbanks, and other natural areas across coastal towns such as Mirissa, Negombo, and Colombo. The plastic is then recycled into textile fibres and brush filaments, supporting local manufacturing and giving plastic waste new purposes. 

E-bike rider from the Green Wheels Plastic Collection Project collecting plastic waste, Green Earth. 

What governments and businesses can do about plastic pollution

Governments and businesses shape the systems that determine how much plastic is produced and recovered.

Policy and regulation

Plastic regulation is moving from voluntary guidance to binding obligation, and the financial responsibility is shifting onto the producers and users of plastic. In the European Union, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) applies from August 2026: it requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, sets minimum recycled-content thresholds for plastic, and ties Extended Producer Responsibility fees to how recyclable a product is.

The earlier Single-Use Plastics Directive has already removed many throwaway items from the market, and in the United Kingdom the Plastic Packaging Tax applies a charge to packaging containing less than 30% recycled content.

At a global level, governments are negotiating a legally binding treaty covering the full life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal. Those talks are still under way, which makes the direction of travel clear well before the detail is settled — and gives businesses a window to prepare on their own terms. 

Paper food bags being used to package items.

Corporate social responsibility and sustainability efforts

Leading businesses now manage plastic across the value chain rather than absorbing it as a cost at the end of it. That begins with measuring plastic use, then designing it out of products and packaging, specifying recycled content, and working with suppliers to close the loop.

For the plastic that cannot yet be removed, a growing number of companies compensate through verified plastic credits, funding the collection and recycling of an equivalent volume from the environment. Reporting on these steps openly, and with evidence, has become part of how businesses demonstrate responsibility to customers, investors, and regulators alike.

Innovative technologies and solutions

 Material and recycling technology is advancing on several fronts. Mono-material and design-for-recyclability approaches make packaging easier to recover; advanced recycling extends what can be processed beyond conventional mechanical methods; and bio-based or compostable materials offer alternatives for specific uses, where a life cycle assessment confirms a genuine improvement.

Digital tools, from watermarks to product-level data, are making sorting and traceability more reliable. Each matures at its own pace, and sustained public and private investment is what moves them from pilot to standard practice. 

What your business can do

For a business ready to act, a few practical entry points come first:

• Audit where single-use plastic enters your operations and supply chain
• Set a minimum recycled-content requirement in procurement and supplier contracts
• Confirm your packaging is registered and compliant under EPR rules in every market you sell into
• Choose alternative materials only where a life cycle assessment confirms a real improvement
• Compensate for residual plastic through verified plastic credits while you reduce at the source

Individual actions to reduce plastic pollution

It's easy to feel helpless when it comes to addressing plastic pollution, but every individual can make a difference by taking small but impactful steps. 

Tips for reducing plastic use

• Always bring a reusable bag with you when you go shopping. They are more environmentally friendly than plastic bags.
• Carry a refillable water bottle with you for water and other drinks. It is more environmentally friendly than using single-use plastic bottles.
• Say no to single-use plastics, including straws, utensils, and food containers.
• Opt for plastic-free alternatives like glass, metal, or bamboo products.
• Buy in bulk whenever possible to reduce packaging waste and save money in the long term.

Reusable water bottle being used in an office space.

How to properly dispose of plastics

Properly disposing of plastics is an essential step towards reducing plastic pollution. There are various ways to dispose of plastics, and following the proper guidelines is crucial. Recycling is effective, and it is essential to check with your local recycling programme what types of plastics they accept and to follow their guidelines. 

Additionally, hazardous waste, including batteries, electronics, and certain plastics, requires special disposal methods. You can contact your local waste management facility for guidance. Some types of plastics, such as bioplastics, can also be composted. Therefore, it is essential to check the packaging for composting instructions. 

Lastly, avoid littering. Properly disposing of plastic waste can prevent it from ending up in the environment. By following plastic disposal guidelines, everyone can contribute to reducing plastic pollution and creating a cleaner environment.

Supporting environmentally friendly businesses

Consumers have the power to support businesses that prioritise the environment and reduce plastic pollution. By choosing to support eco-friendly brands, consumers can make a significant impact on reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in oceans and landfills. Consumers can look for brands using sustainable materials and packaging, such as biodegradable or reusable options. 

In addition, choosing to buy from local businesses can reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and support the local economy. A consumer can do research on a company's sustainability efforts before making a purchase. Many companies are making strides to reduce their plastic use and have information on their website about their efforts. Supporting environmentally friendly businesses not only helps the planet, but also sends a message that consumers value sustainability and want to see more eco-friendly options in the market.

Read more: Net zero and a circular economy: Top 3 opportunities and challenges

How Green Earth helps reduce plastic

Green Earth restores nature and tackles plastic where it does the most damage. Our Green Wheels Plastic Collection Project in Sri Lanka, run in partnership with the recycling specialist Eco Spindles, uses a fleet of locally made electric bikes to collect plastic waste from beaches, riverbanks, and other natural areas across Mirissa, Colombo, Negombo, and Anuradhapura. Each e-bike collects around 100 kg of plastic a day, which is then recycled into textile fibres and brush filaments — supporting local manufacturing, creating jobs, and keeping plastic in a circular economy rather than in the ocean.

The project is built to last and to be verified. It follows Verra's Plastic Standard, runs for a minimum of seven years, and aims to collect and recycle 10,400 tonnes of plastic from Sri Lanka's coastlines and waterways, protecting wildlife such as sea turtles, elephants, and marine species from entanglement and ingestion in the process.

Plastic sorting facility in Sri Lanka, Green Earth.

For businesses, Green Earth's plastic credits turn that work into a way to take responsibility for their own plastic use. Each credit represents 1,000 kg of plastic collected and recycled, with the first credits from the Sri Lanka project expected from late 2026. Buying credits funds verified collection and recycling, easing the pressure plastic places on nature and biodiversity while a business cuts its own plastic use at the source.

Tackling plastic for a cleaner future

Plastic pollution is a serious issue, and the path forward is clear. Reducing single-use plastics, improving waste management, promoting recycling, choosing better materials, and supporting clean-ups all cut plastic waste. Individuals, businesses, and governments each have a part to play, and together those actions build a cleaner, healthier planet.