Would you like a side of plastics with that?

Here’s some food for thought: Plastic is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Which means it’s also in us.

From the hazardous chemicals unknowingly affecting our health to microplastics saturating our environment, plastic pollution and its impacts will only worsen if left unchecked.

Plastic pollution begins at the source – the production process. Almost every piece of plastic is derived from fossil fuels like oil and gas, which generate greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.

Once plastic is made, it virtually never goes away, with nearly all the plastic ever produced still existing somewhere on the planet.

And while plastic pollution in our environment is a significant problem, it is much more than just an issue of waste management or recycling. It extends to the hazardous chemicals that can be present in plastics, permeating our daily routines and unknowingly affecting our health.

From the moment food is put in shiny plastic containers, toxic chemicals can leach into our food, posing a direct threat to our well-being. Even after disposal, discarded plastic can continue to wreak havoc, breaking down into smaller, harder-to-manage pieces that infiltrate our soil and oceans, further exacerbating the problem.

The forecasted growth in plastic is alarming, with projections indicating plastic waste is on track to almost triple by 2060.

Plastic pollution does not belong in our bodies or the environment. Current regulations fall short in curbing toxic chemical use, emphasising the need for stricter policies and consumer advocacy.

To help tackle these pressing issues, Minderoo is calling for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, which includes three key asks:

While the scale of the plastic pollution problem may seem overwhelming, individuals can take meaningful action to reduce their plastic footprint. Minderoo has produced an evidence-based mini ebook, "7 Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Plastics," as a resource for individuals looking to make a difference.

With its pervasive presence in our lives and its potential to impact human health, we must reduce the unchecked growth of virgin fossil fuel-based plastic and use of harmful chemicals.

By taking decisive steps to reduce our plastic consumption and advocate for change, we can safeguard our health and the well-being of future generations.