An estimated 20 million people around the world earn a living by collecting, sorting and selling waste. In many developing countries, these people are on the frontlines of the effort to tackle plastic pollution, which experts say is a mounting threat to the planet. In this feature, UNEP takes a deeper look at the lives of waste pickers, their role in recycling and what their hopes are for the future. 

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Three decades ago, France came up with what was then a radical idea. What if you made manufacturers and retailers responsible for packaging after it has been used by consumers? So was born one of the world’s first extended producer responsibility programmes.

A growing number of countries are now considering similar schemes to counter surging plastic pollution. So, we spoke with one of the leaders of France’s programme, Jean Hornain, the CEO of Citeo, to understand how the effort works and how it has come to transcend political divides.

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Experts have long known that to end plastic pollution, companies must find alternatives to some plastics, prolong the lives of others and dramatically increase recycling rates.

The problem? Many businesses that make and use plastic cannot find workers with the technical know-how to make all this happen.

That’s why UNEP recently struck a partnership with a network of universities in Latin America and the Caribbean to equip students with a host of green skills, including those linked to plastic. We recently spoke with UNEP’s Regional Director, Juan Bello, about the programme and how it’s planning to make a dent in plastic pollution.

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Facing a surge in plastic pollution a growing number of cities are attempting to use data, often painstakingly gathered through dumpsite visits and household surveys, to gauge the true scope of the problem they’re facing. 

The research, some of which has been supported by UNEP, has spawned bans on single-use plastics and new investments in waste management infrastructure.  

“Plugging (data gaps) is crucial for developing evidence-based policies and countering what is a mushrooming crisis,” says Sinikinesh Jimma, head of UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch. 

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The Republic of Korea is hosting a children’s art contest in anticipation of World Environment Day 2025. The theme of the contest is "Clean Environment, Our Choice! – Reducing Plastic Pollution in Everyday Life." Participants are encouraged to creatively express their solutions for reducing plastic pollution through their artwork. 

Entries are categorized by age group, from kindergarten, elementary school to middle and high school students. Winning artworks will be exhibited at the Jeju International Convention Center from June 4 to 5, accompanied by videos of the participants explaining their pieces. 

View the winning artwork.