Plastics Circle: SwitchMed II in Lebanon - SwitchMed Programme [Factsheet]

Plastic pollution is a global and cross-boundary problem that disrupts natural habitats and crucial ecological processes, reducing the ability of ecosystems to adapt to climate change. Single-use plastics take up a larger part of the plastic pollution problem, with half of all plastic produced being designed to be used just once and then thrown away to persist in nature for 500-1000 years. Despite that, only around 10% of the plastic waste generated is recycled, while the remaining 90% ends up in landfills, burned or dispersed in the environment, polluting our land and marine ecosystems. Additionally, around 36% of the total plastic production is dedicated to packaging purposes, which encompasses items like single-use plastic products intended for food and beverage containers.