A new University of Leeds study, published in Nature, reveals that the world generates 57 million tonnes of plastic pollution annually. This pollution reaches every corner of the globe, from the deepest oceans to the highest peaks, with over two-thirds originating from the Global South.
Using AI to analyze waste management across over 50,000 municipalities, researchers found that much of the pollution comes from areas where waste is poorly managed. Notably, 15% of the global population lacks adequate waste collection services, contributing significantly to plastic pollution in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Among the worst offenders, Lagos, Nigeria tops the list, followed by New Delhi, Luanda, Karachi, and Cairo. Nigeria is second in the global rankings, with the Democratic Republic of Congo also making the top 10.
Dr. Costas Velis, lead researcher, emphasizes that the issue stems from inadequate resources and infrastructure rather than the actions of any particular region. He argues that effective waste collection should be considered a fundamental aspect of sanitation.
With global plastic production expected to triple, the UN warns that “our planet is choking in plastic.”