The increasing level of plastic pollution is threatening ecosystems, accelerating the climate crisis, and having far-reaching economic consequences. A recent report by the World Economic Forum highlights the severe impacts of global plastic pollution and demonstrates the urgent need for collective action.
130 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the environment every year
The figures from the World Economic Forum are alarming: Around 130 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the environment every year, ending up on fields, in rivers, along coastlines, and in our oceans. Without drastic action, this amount could increase to as much as 280 million tonnes per year by 2040.
Once in the environment, plastic has severe consequences. Animals become entangled in plastic waste or mistake it for food, while accumulated plastic can release pollutants and disrupt ecosystems and natural biological processes.
Plastic pollution therefore not only threatens ecosystems and livelihoods, but also exacerbates the climate crisis. For 2025, the report cites 2.7 billion tonnes of CO₂e emissions associated with plastic.
Plastic pollution causes economic damage
The degradation of ecosystems and livelihoods also has significant economic consequences. More than half of global GDP, around USD 58 trillion, is moderately or highly dependent on nature. The World Economic Forum estimates that the annual loss of marine ecosystem services caused by plastic pollution amounts to between USD 500 billion and USD 2.5 trillion.
Industries that directly depend on healthy ecosystems are particularly affected, including fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. With a global recycling rate of less than 10%, recycling alone cannot solve the problem. What is needed is a combination of different measures, including reducing plastic use and switching to alternative materials.
Rivers are key pathways for plastic entering the oceans
Rivers play a central role in transporting plastic into the oceans. They carry waste from their catchment areas over long distances and eventually into the sea. By identifying waste hotspots and major entry points early on, plastic can be intercepted before it travels further downstream.
A study published in 2021 demonstrates the potential economic benefits of such measures. According to the study, preventing plastic waste from entering the Tonle Sap Basin, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake-river system, could help Cambodia avoid at least USD 4.8 billion in losses related to natural capital, material value, and environmental degradation by 2030. Downstream ecosystems in the Mekong River and South China Sea would also benefit.
everwave takes action in rivers and waterways
This is exactly where everwave takes action: Our cleanup locations are strategically selected to remove plastic waste from major hotspots in rivers, waterways, and along riverbanks, helping to protect downstream ecosystems and oceans.
One of our cleanup locations is at Tonle Sap in Cambodia. There, our activities help remove plastic from an ecologically and economically important freshwater system, protecting valuable habitats as well as the livelihoods of people in the region.
At the same time, our work on the ground demonstrates how closely plastic pollution and economic development are connected. This is particularly evident in the tourism sector. Through our Clean Destination Program in Cambodia, we work together with hotels to build sustainable infrastructure and help keep destinations free from plastic waste in the long term.
The scale of plastic pollution makes one thing clear: Protecting our ecosystems and livelihoods requires collective action.