ETC CE Report 2024/11 Plastics and biodiversity - Impacts of plastics on biodiversity and ecosystems

19 Dec 2024

Ive Vanderreydt, Pieter Willot, Jens Günther, Elvira Borgman, Anna Tenhunen-Lunkka, Tobias Nielsen

This report examines the, often overlooked, negative impacts of the plastic value chain on biodiversity and ecosystems. It highlights the pervasive threat plastics pose throughout their lifecycle—from resource extraction through production, use, and waste management—and emphasises the urgent need for a shift toward circular and biodiversity-friendly practices in plastics management to mitigate these adverse impacts. While resource extraction for plastic production has a more direct and immediate impact on biodiversity through habitat destruction and pollution (of air, land, water), plastic leakage to the environment has long-term and pervasive effects on ecosystems. Both are critical issues that need to be addressed to protect global biodiversity. In addition, addressing these impacts requires integrated approaches to environmental management, recognising the interconnectedness of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.