World Environment Day: Beating Plastic Pollution

World Environment Day 2025 arrives with renewed urgency and hope, as governments, industries and individuals unite under a single banner – to end plastic pollution. 

Millions of tons of plastic waste enter oceans each year, harming marine life and ecosystems.

This year’s theme, Beat Plastic Pollution, resonates deeply amid the escalating crisis that has permeated oceans, food chains and even human bodies in the form of microplastics.

A global treaty in progress

Two months before the continuation of negotiations for a historic UN treaty to end plastic pollution, the global spotlight falls on the Republic of Korea, host of this year’s World Environment Day. 

The nation’s leadership on sustainable waste management and circular economy practices makes it a fitting stage for this year's host.

Since the adoption of Resolution 5/14 during the UN Environment Assembly in March 2022, momentum has been building toward a legally binding instrument to address the full lifecycle of plastic, from design and production to disposal. 

“The world’s commitment to ending plastic pollution is clear and undeniable,” says Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). 

“In Busan, talks moved us closer to agreeing on a global legally binding treaty that will protect our health, our environment and our future from the onslaught of plastic pollution.” 

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), launched in late 2022, has since convened sessions across Uruguay, France, Kenya, Canada and Korea, with its final stage set for August 2025 in Geneva.

An estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems every year, with the annual cost of plastic pollution reaching between US$300bn and US$600bn. 

The treaty presents a rare opportunity for systemic change, transforming how plastics are produced, used and managed globally.

“The UK may be moving away from fossil fuels but plastic pollution persists – single-use plastics on our beaches increased by nearly 10% last year," says Kelly Becker, President, UK & Ireland, Belgium & Netherlands at Schneider Electric. 

“While decarbonising our energy systems is vital to reducing emissions, we must also address the materials we use every day. Plastic is a primary concern and could be responsible for as much as 19% of global greenhouse emissions by 2040.  

“Circularity is key to addressing this, doing away with a ‘take-make-waste’ model in favour of resource preservation."

With an ambitious plan to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040, Jeju Province in the Republic of Korea, enforces waste separation at source and has implemented a province-wide disposable cup deposit system. 

The world produces more than 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, with this number expected to increase.

Nationally, Korea’s full life-cycle plastic strategy brings together government, business and consumers to create a holistic, circular approach to plastics.

From extended producer responsibility to chemical safety, Korea’s environmental policies have matured significantly since it first hosted World Environment Day in 1997. 

Its return as host marks not just progress but leadership

Corporate commitments in action

Around the world, companies are getting involved with similar calls to action and corporate initiatives, including: 

• Coca-Cola: Rolled out the #BenchPeBaat campaign in India, placing 380 benches made from recycled plastic in 10 cities to promote circular thinking and community engagement.
   
• Lay’s: Released 'Drops of Joy', an animated film celebrating water-positive efforts in manufacturing, spotlighting potatoes as a sustainable crop.
   
• Nestlé Maggi: Educated consumers on responsible disposal and introduced an edible fork made from wheat flour to cut single-use plastic in its Maggi Cuppa Noodles.
   
• KFC India: Announced that 80% of packaging is now sustainable and compostable, alongside solar-powered outlets and water-efficient operations.
   
• Zomato: Reiterated its aim to shift to 100% electric vehicle deliveries by 2030.
   
• Lee Cooper: Introduced jeans made from recycled cigarette butts, combining fashion with environmental innovation in its Eco-ntribute campaign.
   
• Diageo India: Promoted its Society 2030: Spirit of Progress ESG strategy, focused on carbon reduction, sustainable packaging and biodiversity.
   
• Panasonic Life Solutions India: Continued its Harit Umang programme and the #PanasonicForTheWorld campaign, having already planted nearly 500,000 trees.

“An ambitious UN Global Plastics Treaty is both a foundation for change in tackling the plastic crisis and a vehicle to streamline global corporate action,” says Sarah Perreard, Co-CEO at Earth Action.

“But with a Treaty or without a Treaty, corporations will be unable to erase their plastic footprint and avoid regulation.

“Inaction is no longer an option. Businesses that act now will be better positioned to thrive in the future where plastic management, transparency and accountability are the norm."

Driving global change

This year’s World Environment Day serves as both a rallying cry and a milestone. 

With around eight million tons of plastic waste entering the ocean every year, this year’s theme is essential for progress.

It underscores the need for collective, science-based solutions that span policy, product innovation and behavioural change. 

“It is clear that the world still wants and demands an end to plastic pollution,” explains Inger Andersen.

“Countries, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, industry, youth, scientists, waste pickers and civil society: this is a challenge that unites us all.

“We may be closing this session today, but the world will still be watching tomorrow. Plastic pollution will still be arriving on our shores. 

“We are drafting a treaty for the ages. A treaty to protect our environment, our health and our future. Getting this right is critical. And so, our work will continue.”

While the challenge is vast, the tools to combat plastic pollution are already within reach.

As governments prepare to meet once more in Geneva, this year marks a defining moment in securing a sustainable, plastic-free future.

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