World Environment Day: Unite to beat plastic pollution
Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans
On 5 June 2025, millions around the globe will mark World Environment Day, a spotlight by the United Nations’ platform for raising awareness and driving action on urgent environmental issues. This year’s theme, hosted by the South Korea, is ‘Beat plastic pollution’, calling attention to the impacts of plastic pollution and how we can refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastic usage.
Plastic pollution remains a major environmental threat. Over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with less than 10% recycled. An estimated 11 million tonnes leak into aquatic ecosystems each year, harming over 800 marine species and entering our food, water, and air. This year’s campaign urges individuals, businesses, and governments to rethink plastic use and adopt sustainable alternatives. Watch this 1-minute video to get an idea about the changing needs of plastic.
Open data can definitely help to tackle environmental challenges. On data.europa.eu, users can for example, explore datasets on waste management, marine pollution, land use, and climate resilience. These resources support researchers, policymakers, and citizens in understanding the scale of environmental degradation and identifying data-driven solutions. Datasets on plastic waste generation across EU countries can help track progress and inform circular economy strategies.
Everyone can take part in World Environment Day by learning, sharing, and acting. Visit the official UN page to explore initiatives or navigate around our open data portal, and find out how you can contribute to a cleaner, greener planet.
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