GettyImages/Marlon Trottmann
01 Jun 2023 Video Chemicals & pollution action

If we act now we can beat plastic pollution, says UN Secretary-General

GettyImages/Marlon Trottmann

This World Environment Day, on 5 June, is a call to beat plastic pollution. Hosted by Côte d'Ivoire in partnership with the Netherlands, it focuses on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution.

Every year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide, one third of which is used just once. Every day, the equivalent of over 2000 garbage trucks full of plastic is dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes.

“We must work as one, governments, companies and consumers alike, to break our addiction to plastics, champion zero waste and build a truly circular economy,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in a video message. “Together, let us shape a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all,” he added.