The Plastic in Our Bodies – Why Are the Poor Hit Hardest?

Almost all plastic is produced by multinational companies headquartered in high-income countries. At the same time, the world's poorest countries are the hardest hit by plastic pollution.

A new report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) shows that the lifetime cost of plastic is ten times higher for low-income countries than for rich countries. Research also highlights how much plastic penetrates our bodies.

From November 25 to December 1, 2024, in Busan, South Korea, the final negotiations for a global agreement to reduce plastic pollution will take place, aiming for the agreement to be in place by 2025.

Will we succeed in reaching a global plastic agreement? Why do people in poor countries suffer more health problems due to plastic pollution – and what is needed for the world's least developed countries to have sustainable waste management and recycling systems?

On August 22, during the Global Festival, Uppsala Health Summit held a discussion exploring the effects of plastic on the health of nature and people, challenges related to plastic pollution, and solutions to the problem in low- and middle-income countries.

Participants:

David Isaksson, Moderator, Editor-in-Chief of Global Bar Magazine

Carl-Gustaf Bornehag, Professor in Public Health Sciences, Karlstad University

Inger Näslund, Senior Advisor for Ocean and Fisheries, WWF

Watch the recorded seminar from 22 August here in Swedish with autogenerated English subtitles: