印度成為全球塑膠污染最大來源：每年超過1,020萬噸廢棄物

塑膠污染問題日益嚴重，甚至滲透到我們的血液和大腦，減塑已成為人類存續的關鍵議題。根據《自然》最新研究，全球每年產生超過5,210萬噸塑膠垃圾，其中印度塑膠廢棄物量遠超其他國家，成為全球最大的塑膠污染源。

The problem of plastic pollution is becoming increasingly serious, even penetrating into our blood and brain. Plastic reduction has become a key issue for human survival. According to the latest research in Nature, the world produces more than 52.1 million tons of plastic waste every year, and the amount of plastic waste in India far exceeds that of other countries, making it the world's largest source of plastic pollution.

印度成為塑膠污染最大國

India becomes the largest plastic polluter

研究指出，印度每年產生的塑膠廢棄物達1,020萬噸，約佔全球總量的20%，其中九成廢棄物未經處理。奈及利亞和印尼則分別位居第二、第三。然而，過去被認為是最大塑膠污染源的中國，因政策改革，廢棄物處理成效顯著，現居第四位。

Research points out that India generates 10.2 million tons of plastic waste every year, accounting for about 20% of the global total, 90% of which is unprocessed. Nigeria and Indonesia ranked second and third respectively. However, China, which was considered the largest source of plastic pollution in the past, has achieved remarkable results in waste treatment due to policy reforms and now ranks fourth.

缺乏回收設施加劇污染

研究發現，全球約15億人無法享受垃圾收集服務，這些地區的居民通常選擇焚燒或亂丟塑膠垃圾。焚燒塑膠會釋放有害物質如戴奧辛及重金屬，對環境和人體健康構成威脅。相比之下，儘管高收入國家產生大量塑膠廢物，但大多數擁有完善的廢物處理設施。

城市污染狀況

Lack of recycling facilities exacerbates pollution

Research has found that about 1.5 billion people around the world do not have access to garbage collection services, and residents in these areas often choose to burn or litter plastic waste. Burning plastic releases harmful substances such as dioxin and heavy metals, posing a threat to the environment and human health. In contrast, although high-income countries generate large amounts of plastic waste, most have comprehensive waste treatment facilities.

就城市而言，奈及利亞首都拉各斯是全球塑膠污染最嚴重的城市，其次為印度新德里、安哥拉盧安達、巴基斯坦克拉嗤和埃及開羅。這些城市缺乏有效的廢物處理系統，是塑膠污染的重災區。

urban pollution status

In terms of cities, Lagos, the capital of Nigeria, is the most plastic-polluted city in the world, followed by New Delhi, India, Rwanda, Angola, Karachi, Pakistan, and Cairo, Egypt. These cities lack effective waste treatment systems and are hardest hit by plastic pollution.

全球應對塑膠污染的努力

Global efforts to tackle plastic pollution

面對塑膠污染的擴散，全球在2022年達成共識，將制定第一個具法律約束力的塑膠污染條約。11月即將於韓國舉行的談判，將針對廢物收集與處理設施的不足，強調高收入國家應提供更多資金援助，幫助發展中國家解決塑膠污染問題。

Faced with the spread of plastic pollution, the world has reached a consensus in 2022 to formulate the first legally binding plastic pollution treaty. The negotiations to be held in South Korea in November will address the shortage of waste collection and treatment facilities and emphasize that high-income countries should provide more financial assistance to help developing countries solve the problem of plastic pollution.

全球科學家和專家警告，塑膠污染已侵害人體健康，必須採取緊急行動應對這一日益嚴重的全球危機。

Scientists and experts around the world have warned that plastic pollution has harmed human health and urgent action must be taken to deal with this growing global crisis.