Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pervasive environmental challenges of the 21st century. From its widespread use in agriculture and industry to its presence in the deepest oceanic trenches, plastic — especially in the form of microplastics — poses significant risks to the environment, human health, and food security. [1]
Security studies have historically focused on state-centric threats such as war, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation. Non-traditional threats like environmental degradation and public health crises are often sidelined, despite their long-term destabilizing potential. Plastic security, a term largely absent from mainstream security studies, is rapidly emerging as a critical area of concern. [2]
Unlike military conflicts or economic crises, the impacts of plastic pollution are often gradual and diffuse, making them less visible and urgent to policymakers. Plastic’s affordability, versatility, and durability have led to its use in virtually every sector, from packaging and agriculture to healthcare and construction. This ubiquity makes it more difficult to regulate than chemical pollutants, which typically originate from specific industrial or agricultural activities. [3]
Plastic is also non-biodegradable, persisting in the environment for centuries and continuously breaking down into microplastics and nanoplastics. These particles infiltrate ecosystems, accumulating in soil, water, and air, creating a cumulative and irreversible environmental burden.
Plastic on the Move: Ocean Currents, Microplastics, and Global Security Risks
Ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift, and the Pacific Gyre, act as highways that transport plastic debris across the globe. These plastics originate from various sources, including mismanaged waste from coastal areas, runoff from rivers, and fishing industries that discard nets and gear. In particular, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch [4], located in the North Pacific Gyre, is an infamous accumulation zone where ocean currents have funnelled millions of tons of floating plastic waste. Over time, plastics in these streams degrade into microplastics, which are ingested by marine organisms, entering the food chain, and posing risks to marine biodiversity and human health. Additionally, plastic debris disrupts the delicate balance of oceanic ecosystems by entangling marine life and altering habitats such as coral reefs. Research shows that 80% of marine plastic originates from land-based sources, highlighting the critical role of urban waste management and river systems in transporting plastics to the sea. [5]
Plastics play a dual role in agriculture. While they enhance productivity through applications like drip irrigation and plastic mulch, they also degrade into microplastics, contaminating soil and water. Studies have shown that plastic residues affect soil health by altering its structure and nutrient cycling, ultimately reducing crop yields. This contamination poses a direct threat to food security, particularly in regions heavily reliant on plastic-intensive farming practices. [6]
Microplastics and their associated chemical additives are ingested and inhaled through food, water, and air. They have been detected in human tissues, including the placenta, raising alarms about their potential health impacts. Their small size allows them to bypass biological barriers, leading to inflammation, oxidative stress, and potential DNA damage. Moreover, microplastics act as carriers for toxic chemicals and pathogens, exacerbating their harmful effects. The full scope of health risks remains uncertain, necessitating urgent research to understand their long-term implications. [7]
Fisheries and aquaculture, vital to the livelihoods of millions, face declining productivity and marketability as seafood becomes contaminated by plastic pollution. The tourism industry also suffers as plastic-littered beaches and polluted waters deter visitors, leading to revenue losses and job insecurity. Cleanup efforts and health care costs associated with plastic-related illnesses further strain national economies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. [8]
Plastic Policy Wars: Industry Influence and the Global Governance Gap
The widespread use of plastic has created powerful lobbies that seek to influence policymaking on plastic security to protect their economic interests. Organizations such as the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and Plastics Europe, for example, advocate for policies that promote continued plastic production under the guise of innovation and sustainability, often resisting stringent environmental regulations such as bans on single-use plastics. These oil and petrochemical lobbies argue that plastic alternatives are costly and insufficient to meet global demand, thereby pushing for incremental solutions like improved recycling rather than systemic change. [9]
In the United States, the ACC has actively lobbied against state-level plastic bans, investing millions in campaigns to sway public opinion and policymakers [10]. Similarly, in Europe, industry stakeholders have sought to dilute the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive by lobbying for extended timelines and exemptions for certain products. These efforts underscore how powerful lobbies can shape policy narratives, often delaying or weakening measures aimed at reducing plastic pollution, despite growing evidence of its environmental and health impacts. [11]
Cleaning up the Mess: UN Treaty Aims for Global Cooperation
The global nature of plastic pollution necessitates international cooperation. However, governance structures remain fragmented and insufficient. Many countries prioritize economic growth over environmental protection, leading to inadequate waste management policies. [12] Despite initiatives like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Blue Economy framework, global plastic production continues to rise, with over 300 million tons produced annually.
The United Nations Environment Assembly adopted Resolution 5/14, titled “End Plastic Pollution: Towards an International Legally Binding Instrument” on March 2, 2022. This landmark resolution initiated the development of a comprehensive international treaty aimed at addressing plastic pollution throughout its entire lifecycle, encompassing production, design, and disposal. [13]
As of January 2025, the Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee has completed its scheduled sessions and is in the process of finalizing the treaty text. The draft treaty is expected to be presented for adoption at a diplomatic conference anticipated in the spring of 2025. While the resolution has been actively implemented through these negotiations, the legally binding instrument itself has yet to be formally adopted and brought into effect.
Innovative solutions [14] to plastic pollution are transforming approaches to addressing this pressing environmental security challenge. Among the most promising is ‘The Great Bubble Barrier’, which employs a wall of air bubbles to direct plastic waste to collection points in rivers without harming wildlife or disrupting water flow. Technologies like plastic credits and track-and-trace systems, which leverage blockchain and AI, enhance waste management transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, advancements in microplastic removal, such as thermal decomposition and ultrasound filtering, show great potential in tackling microscopic pollutants. Other breakthroughs, including solar-powered waste collectors, AI-driven waste separation, and enzymatic recycling through biotech, address the full lifecycle of plastic pollution, from collection to material breakdown, offering scalable and impactful strategies for a cleaner future.
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References
[1] Williams Alan T. and Nelson Rangel-Buitrago, ‘The past, present, and future of plastic pollution’, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 176, 2022, The past, present, and future of plastic pollution - ScienceDirect
[2] Smith, Edward (2021) ‘The traditional routes to security. Realism and Liberalism’, in: Peter Hough et al, eds., International Security Studies. Theory and Practice. 2nd edition, Routledge, pp. 12-29
[3] Pilapitiya, P.G.C. Nayanathara Thathsarani and Amila Sandaruwan Ratnayake, ‘The world of plastic waste: A review’, Cleaner Materials, Volume 11, 2024, The world of plastic waste: A review - ScienceDirect
[4] Lebreton, L., Slat, B., Ferrari, F. et al. ‘Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly accumulating plastic’, Scientific Reports 8, 4666 (2018), Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly accumulating plastic | Scientific Reports
[5] Seyed Reza Seyyedi, Elaheh Kowsari, Seeram Ramakrishna, Mohammad Gheibi, Amutha Chinnappan, ‘Marine plastics, circular economy, and artificial intelligence: A comprehensive review of challenges, solutions, and policies,’ Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 345, 2023, Marine plastics, circular economy, and artificial intelligence: A comprehensive review of challenges, solutions, and policies - ScienceDirect
[6] Lakhiar IA, Yan H, Zhang J, Wang G, Deng S, Bao R, Zhang C, Syed TN, Wang B, Zhou R, et al. ‘Plastic Pollution in Agriculture as a Threat to Food Security, the Ecosystem, and the Environment: An Overview.’, Agronomy, 2024, 14(3):548, Plastic Pollution in Agriculture as a Threat to Food Security, the Ecosystem, and the Environment: An Overview
[7] Borriello L., Scivicco M., Cacciola NA., Esposito F., Severino L., Cirillo T., ‘Microplastics, a Global Issue: Human Exposure through Environmental and Dietary Sources.’, Foods, 2023 Sep 11, 12(18):3396, Microplastics, a Global Issue: Human Exposure through Environmental and Dietary Sources - PMC
[8] Kumar R., Verma A., Shome A., Sinha R., Sinha S., Jha PK., Kumar R., Kumar P., Shubham, Das S, et al., ‘Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions.’, Sustainability, 2021, 13(17):9963, Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions
[9] Center for International Environmental Law, 'Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Outnumber National Delegations, Scientists, and Indigenous Peoples at Plastics Treaty Negotiations,' April 25, 2024, Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Outnumber National Delegations, Scientists, and Indigenous Peoples at Plastics Treaty Negotiations - Center for International Environmental Law
[10] France 24, 'Environmentalists slam lobbyist influence on plastic talks', November 27, 2024, Environmentalists slam lobbyist influence on plastic talks
[11] Fair Resource Foundation, ‘Europe needs a strong plastics Directive to live up to the Paris Agreement’, November 20, 2018, Europe needs a strong plastics Directive to live up to the Paris Agreement - Fair Resource Foundation
[12] Dauvergne, Peter, ‘Why is the global governance of plastic failing the oceans?,’ Global Environmental Change, Volume 51, 2018, pp. 22-31, Why is the global governance of plastic failing the oceans? - ScienceDirect
[13] Coalition Clean Baltic, ‘Global Plastic Treaty is taking next step in its development,’ November 13, 2024, Global Plastics Treaty is taking a next step in its development
[14] Davidson, Tamara, ‘The top 7 solutions to plastic pollution’, Clean Hub, November 5, 2024, Top 7 Solutions to Plastic Pollution | What's the Latest Tech?
