World Environment Day is observed on June 5, every year, which reminds us that peoples actions on plastic pollution matter. This year, United Nations under the environmental programme is focusing to tackle plastic pollution, under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution.Plastic is taking over the planet. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, with 50 million tonnes going towards single-use products. Approximately 10% of that is recycled. It is estimated that 19–23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers, and oceans. Since plastic clogs up landfills, spills into the ocean, and burns into poisonous smoke, it poses one of the biggest hazards to the planet today.Furthermore, it is unknown how microplastics end up in the food we consume, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. Many plastic products include potentially harmful substances that jeopardise human health. Even the Secretary General of the United Nations said, “If we can act now, we can beat the plastic pollution.”History of World Environment DayThe event has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since its inception in 1973. The urgent environmental issues of our time are brought to public attention on World Environment Day. With millions of participants from all around the world joining in to safeguard the environment, this UN international day has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental awareness.The theme of World Environment Day 2023In collaboration with the Netherlands, Côte dIvoire will host World Environment Day in 2023. Taking the lead in the fight against plastic pollution is Côte dIvoire. It has prohibited the use of plastic bags since 2014 to encourage the transition to reusable packaging. Abidjan, the largest city in the nation, has developed into a centre for start-ups that value the environment.According to Côte dIvoires Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Jean-Luc Assi, the epidemic of plastic pollution is an obvious threat to every community. We consider it an honour to assist various plastic pandemic therapies.The Government of the Netherlands, one of the nations adopting ambitious actions along the plastic lifecycle, will support World Environment Day this year. It has ratified the New Plastic Economy Global Commitment and is a member of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter.“Plastic pollution and its detrimental impacts on health, the economy and the environment cannot be ignored. Urgent action is required. At the same time, we need true, effective and robust solutions,” said Vivianne Heijnen, Netherlands Minister for the Environment. “As part of several policies aimed at plastics, The Netherlands and the European community at large are fully committed to reduce the production and consumption of single-use plastic, which can and must be replaced with durable and sustainable alternatives.”
