The theme of World Environment Day this year was ‘collective action to tackle plastic pollution.’ I recently joined a group of volunteers to pick up rubbish from around the community in which I live. Amongst the litter that we picked up there was a substantial amount of glass bottles, fast food containers and paper, but by far the greatest component was plastic; bottles, food packaging and shopping bags (despite the levy of 10p in England).

When we think about plastic waste, this type of litter is what we think of first. Between 1950 and 2017 it is estimated that we created 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic waste and presently we only manage to recycle about 9% of annual production, according to New Scientist. It is this volume of waste that makes the presence of plastic in the environment as one of the indicators of the Anthropocene era: the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

The plastic problem

The problem of plastic waste goes far beyond what you can see in our streets. More widespread is the presence of microplastics, which have been found to be present in all parts of the global environment including some which are the least visited by humans. A study by the Florida Atlantic University found that in the Mariana trench, the deepest part of the global oceans, there were more than 13,000 microplastic particles per cubic metre. And every year a further eight million tonnes of plastic waste is added to oceans. Is there a sadder sight than that on the recent BBC series which showed a whale calf chewing on a plastic bucket and a seal pup caught up in discarded fishing lines?

The scale of the impact on the environment is one thing; closer to home we are beginning to become increasingly aware of the impact on humans. According to a New Scientist report, people consume about 52,000 microplastic particles per year – or around 121,000 if you include those that we breath in. Whether it is from the plastic bottles we drink from, the plastic plates we eat from, or the plastic containers we keep food in; all are potential sources of our annual intake. It is not clear what the impact on human health is from this, but there is no doubt that we are increasingly the plastic generation, whether we like it or not.

What we can we do?

Plastic waste in the construction industry is a growing issue, driven by single-use packaging, protective materials, and non-recyclable plastic products used on-site. Tackling this waste starts with design, where architects and engineers should prioritise material specifications that avoid plastic altogether, using alternatives like timber, metal, or recycled composites for components where plastic is unnecessary. Where plastic is essential, choosing products made from recycled content or that are designed for reusability can significantly cut down long-term waste.

Procurement is another major opportunity - contractors can encourage suppliers to use less plastic packaging or switch to reusable options like pallet wraps, crates, or fabric covers. Bulk ordering and on-site storage solutions can also reduce the reliance on excessive wrapping and prevent damage that leads to more waste. Establishing clear waste sorting protocols on-site ensures that plastic waste is separated, kept clean, and directed to recycling facilities instead of landfill.

Education and accountability is key, site managers and workers should be trained to recognise avoidable plastic waste and to manage materials with care to reduce breakage and contamination. Contractors should track their plastic use, report waste volumes, and set reduction targets as part of broader sustainability commitments.

Further information

Contact David Jackson

Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet