Stop the flood of plastic: World Environment Day 2025 calls for action!

Stop the flood of plastic: World Environment Day 2025 calls for action!

World Environment Day was celebrated on June 5, 2025 under the motto “Stop plastic pollution”. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1972, this day aims to raise awareness of the threats of plastic pollution and promote action to combat this crisis. Activists around the world have taken part in numerous events to address the pressing issues of plastic overload and discuss solutions. [NOEN] reports that annual plastic production is expected to reach 516 million tons by 2025.

Global plastic pollution is now a serious problem that affects all ecosystems from the deepest regions of the oceans to the highest mountains. It is estimated that 11 million tons of plastics end up in waterways every year, while around 13 million tons end up in the soil. Microplastics, which consist of decaying plastic, have already become established in the food chain and can have harmful health effects on humans. It has been detected in human arteries, lungs, brains and even breast milk.

Health risks and environmental consequences

The issue of microplastics is receiving increasing attention because it has been detected not only in biological organisms, but also in the air and rainwater. An average person ingests about 5 grams of microplastics every week, which is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. [Schreiber-Bildung] points out that the health consequences of microplastics, such as hormonal disruptions and an increased risk of cancer, need to be further researched.

The main sources of microplastics are abrasion from car tires, cosmetic products and synthetic clothing. In Germany, around 330,000 tons of microplastics are released into the environment every year. The need for immediate action to reduce plastic production and use is more urgent than ever. Experts emphasize the urgent need for global collaboration to develop effective solutions to the growing flood of plastic.

Concrete measures and initiatives

More and more companies and organizations are offering sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging. Axel Kaiser, founder of denttabs, offers toothpaste tablets that are delivered in biodegradable packaging and therefore represent an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional toothpaste tubes. These tubes are often made of materials that are difficult to recycle and take up to 500 years to decompose.

• Ein Drittel der jährlich über 400 Millionen Tonnen produzierten Plastik gelangt in die Umwelt.
• Der Great Pacific Garbage Patch hat eine Fläche von über 1,6 Millionen Quadratkilometern.
• Ein bis zwei Millionen Tonnen Plastik gelangen jedes Jahr in die Ozeane.

The increasing production of plastic, which has increased continuously since 1950, makes it clear that there is a need for action. Suggestions such as eliminating single-use products, improving recycling infrastructure and supporting sustainable innovations to reduce the environmental impact of plastic could help. [Our World in Data] highlights that mismanagement of plastic waste contributes to environmental pollution, particularly in poorer countries, and improving plastic waste management is urgently needed.

World Environment Day 2025 has once again highlighted how important it is not only to talk about the problem, but also to take active action to combat the foreseeable consequences of the flood of plastic.