Chemicals in Plastics - Summary and Key Findings

This summary examines the role of chemicals throughout the plastic life cycle and highlights their implications for human health, the environment and circularity. It reports that more than 13,000 chemical substances are associated with plastics, with over 3,200 identified as potentially hazardous. The document describes major groups of chemicals of concern, their presence across multiple sectors and exposure pathways, and the challenges they create for recycling and waste management. It outlines priority actions, including reducing hazardous chemicals, improving transparency, strengthening monitoring, expanding safer alternatives, and building capacity to support a non-toxic circular economy.