Intro 

Plastic waste and its pollution have become a global issue impacting aspects of wildlife and nature. However, the negative outcomes on social aspects and human health seem to be overshadowed and not well known in public opinion. These outcomes directly impact human rights, including environmental justice, health implications, economic consequences, and policy and regulation. Thus, in this article, we are going to provide a comprehensive overview, while in future articles, we will dive deep into each one of them. 

Key Issues in Environmental Justice

Waste management has a huge effect on marginalized groups, particularly the Global South, where regulations of environmental issues are very weak and management is often inadequate. This is also referred to as “Plastic Waste Colonialism”, where high-income countries export their plastic waste to low-income countries, perpetuating environmental injustice (Stoett, 2024).

Wealthy or ex-colonial countries often export plastic waste to countries that are developing and are post-colonial. Most of this plastic waste is dumped in landfills and is then burned, which results in very toxic chemicals being released into the environment. Thus, this practice violates human rights of local communities, including the right to a healthy and clean environment (Shennum, 2024). Consequently, marginalized groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples, and low-income communities, have to bear the brunt of plastic pollution. Additionally, these communities often lack the resources to address the environmental and health impacts of plastic waste.

Health Implications

The health implications of plastic waste are far-reaching, affecting individuals across the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal. The chemicals in plastics can leach into the environment and enter the human body, causing a range of health problems. These include carcinogens, neurotoxicants, and endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates, bisphenols, and PFAS (which are fluorinated aliphatic organic compounds, synthetic substances). Among these are 4,500 different human-made substances, referred to by experts as 'forever chemicals'. These chemicals can cause a range of health issues, including cancer, reproductive disorders, and developmental problems (Landrigan PJ, 2023).

Infants, young children, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of plastic-associated chemicals. Studies have shown that infants in early life who are exposed to these chemicals have been linked to increased risks of prematurity, low birth weight, birth defects, and neurodevelopmental impairment (Landrigan PJ, 2023).

Economic Consequences 

The economic consequences of plastic waste are significant, impacting both individuals and societies as a whole. While plastics have economic benefits, the costs associated with their production, use, and disposal often outweigh these benefits, particularly in low-income countries.

The health-related costs of plastic production and pollution are substantial. For example, in 2015 in the USA, the health-related implication costs from plastic production exceeded 250 billion dollars, which is more than the GDP of New Zealand or Finland that year. Meanwhile, the environmental costs of plastic pollution, including the impacts on marine ecosystems and biodiversity, are also very significant. These costs are often externalized, meaning they are borne by society rather than the industries responsible for plastic production and disposal (Landrigan PJ, 2023).

Additionally, the economic benefits of plastic production and use are often concentrated in the hands of a few, while the costs are disproportionately borne by marginalized communities. Thus, this further perpetuates economic inequities and undermines efforts to achieve sustainable development (Karasik, 2023).

Policy and Regulation Issues 

As these studies are providing us with enormous negative impacts of plastic production and alarming statistics resulting in violations of so many aspects of our human rights, clearly, there are massive gaps in policy and regulations of the environment. Challenges persist due to inconsistent implementation, lack of harmonization across regions, and inadequate infrastructure.

Some western countries have established regulations to manage plastic waste, but inconsistent enforcement remains a significant issue. This inconsistency often results from varying levels of commitment and resources among local governments, leading to ineffective policy outcomes (Shahnawaz et al., 2019). 

Developing countries often face challenges due to inadequate waste management infrastructure, which impacts the effective implementation of plastic waste policies, especially considering that they have the status of post-colonial countries and the never-ending consequences of colonialism. This is particularly evident in countries like India, where the absence of proper waste collection and segregation processes exacerbates the plastic waste problem (Hishan et al., 2023).

Conclusion 

The impact of plastic waste on human rights is a very serious issue that requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Addressing the environmental justice, health implications, economic consequences, and policy and regulatory gaps associated with plastic waste is essential to protecting human rights and promoting sustainable development. By prioritizing the protection of vulnerable populations, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring that communities have a say in decision-making processes, we can work towards a future where plastic waste no longer poses a threat to human rights.