United Nations: 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year, but less than 10% are recycled
Beijing, June 5, according to foreign media reports, June 5 is the World Environment Day. The United Nations released a report saying that the world uses 5 trillion plastic bags every year, but less than one tenth of all plastic products will be recycled. "The plastic disaster has reached every corner of the planet," the UN said, calling on governments to consider banning or imposing taxes on single-use plastic products to help tackle the problem.
The United Nations reports that the world uses up to 5 trillion plastic bags each year. If they were spread out, they would cover an area twice the size of France. "If you can't reuse a plastic bag, reject it," said UNEP Executive director Erik Solheim, citing a slogan co-created with the Indian government.
The report also said that only 9 percent of the world's 9 billion tons of plastic products are recycled, and "most of it is buried in landfills, garbage dumps or in the natural environment."
The report wants countries to impose taxes and bans to limit single-use plastic products. Currently, more than 60 countries ban or charge for the use of single-use plastics.
The report shows that in the first year of implementation, the use of plastic bags in 30% of countries has dropped significantly; 20% had little or no effect. The report also recommends separating and recycling waste, encouraging people to use alternatives, and promoting the reuse of goods.