You have noticed a lot of plastic around you in the form of plastic bags, plastic bottles, or plastic waste lying on the streets. They are all plastic waste, causing plastic pollution and harming our earth and its environment. This year, World Environment Day 2025 focuses on ending plastic pollution from all over the world.
Plastic pollution has seeped into every corner of the world for decades. This pollution is leaching into the food we eat, into the water we drink, and into our bodies. Although plastic pollution is at an alarming level, it is listed as a fixable environmental challenge due to having apparent solutions.
In this blog, we will talk about World Environment Day and what is the theme of World Environment Day 2025. Then we explore why plastic pollution is a big problem and what eco-friendly activities will be used to mitigate plastic pollution. In the end, we will discuss why should we care about it and what initiatives have been taken by Pakistan to reduce plastic pollution.
World Environment Day
World Environment Day is a universal day for the environment. Every year, this day is celebrated on 5th June by millions of people across the world with the purpose of protecting the Earth.
This day has been held annually since 1973, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This day is a reminder of the collective action taken to save our earth and environment, but not about talks and speeches.
The Theme of World Environment Day 2025
Beat Plastic Pollution is the theme of World Environment Day 2025. The host for this day is the Republic of Korea this year. The focus is to end plastic pollution worldwide because it infuses every corner of the planet, even our bodies in microplastic form. World Environment Day 2025 urges everyone to come together to tackle plastic pollution.
Removal of plastic pollution from the planet is a significant contribution to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. Mostly, the SDGs goals are on sustainable production and consumption, climate action, restoring ecosystems, protecting seas and oceans, and retaining biodiversity.
World Environment Day 2025 will encourage governments, organisations, and individuals to adopt and implement sustainable measures that bring universal change using real-world solutions.
Countries are meeting again to continue negotiating on the 2nd part of the fifth session of the global plastic pollution treaty.
Why Plastic Pollution is a Big Problem?
Plastic is used in many things such as bags, bottles, food wrappers, straws, etc, mostly used once. Every year, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide, with less than 10 percent going through the recycling process.
Each year, plastic pollution causes social and environmental damage, costing between US$300 billion and US$600 billion.
Almost 11 million tonnes of plastic waste globally end up in lakes, rivers, and seas every year. This weight is equal to the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers. Each person is estimated to consume more than 50,000 plastic particles annually. Human health and biodiversity are highly affected by discarded or burnt single-use plastic.
Plastic has very sad facts that make it harmful to our planet. Its breakdown time is hundreds of years, it kills animals, birds, and aquatic creatures, and it pollutes soil and water.
Plastic pollution is a huge problem in Pakistan. Cities are occupied with plastic waste, which blocks drains and makes streets dirty.
Eco-Friendly Activities to Mitigate Plastic Pollution
We can make some smart changes in our daily lives to fight plastic pollution. Here are some ways:
Say No to Plastic Bags
Avoid the use of plastic bags as much as you can. You can replace the plastic bags with cloth or jute bags to carry things. You can also use paper bags for lightweight items.
Use Reusable Bottles and Containers
Try to buy those products that are in solid plastic packaging. Always carry reusable water bottles instead of buying a new water bottle. Moreover, use refills instead of buying a new bottle of cosmetics, laundry, or household products. Also, use metal or glass material for food storage or daily cutlery instead of plastic containers or plates.
Avoid Plastic Straws and Cutlery
You need to use eco-friendly disposable materials like paper straws and paper packaging. Moreover, try to avoid plastic spoons, forks, and straws, but use bamboo or metal ones if needed.
Recycle Plastic Waste
Some plastics, after use, can be recycled. All you need to do is learn ways to separate plastic waste and send it to recycle.
Join Clean-Up Drives
If you want a good initiative to reduce plastic waste, then you should join eco-friendly activities like parks, gardens, public places, and beach clean-ups. Do collective efforts with friends to clean the area around you.
Why Should We Care About Plastic Pollution?
World Environment Day 2025 reminds us that we are living on Earth, and it is our duty to keep this planet clean and pollution-free. There will be more diseases, floods, and heat waves if we keep polluting the Earth.
Thus, our future and the next generation’s future will not be safe and will become darker. There is a need to keep our surroundings clean, just like we keep our rooms clean. The US, Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan are the five commercial fishing countries that have the most floating trash.
How Pakistan is Helping the Environment?
World Environment Day 2025 theme aligns with Pakistan’s national efforts to fight against plastic pollution. The Government of Pakistan launched the National Action Roadmap to Reduce Plastic Pollution in April 2025.
This initiative outlines a detailed strategy to combat plastic waste by decreasing mismanaged waste and encouraging circularity. This roadmap explores two future scenarios: a business-as-usual scenario, which predicts a rise in plastic pollution by 2040, and a system-change scenario, calling for bold actions to reduce waste and improve recycling.
A Message from Punjab Group of Colleges
World Environment Day 2025 provides us with a chance to show our love for the Earth. This is the right time to be kind to the Earth, act, and think about our future. Let us promise to decrease waste and make Pakistan clean, hygienic, and green. Collectively, we can make the Earth a healthier and safer place to live.
Happy World Environment Day 2025!