In the 1950s, the post-war period saw a rise in using plastics for everyday consumer goods (PMC). Out of the 7800 million tonnes of plastic made between 1950 and 2015, only 9% was recycled (PMC). The majority ended up in landfill or the environment, having drastic impacts, particularly on our water. To cut costs, large TNCs dispose of landfill in developing countries which don't have advanced infrastructure to safely control waste and recycling, ultimately allowing the environment and humans to pay the price.
This waste weathers and breaks down into nanoparticles, which are often consumed by animals, entering the food chain (PMC). Goswami et al. (2024) says “many recent findings are continuously being reported regarding their toxicity and especially carcinogenicity” as microplastics cause inflammation, “a well-known promoter of cancer”, which can affect the majority of organs. Further studies show that microplastics are even in the air that we breathe, as well as toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases emitted from incinerating waste.
With more young people living in urban areas for education and work, they are more likely to be affected by air pollution - a leading cause of lung cancer, which can be just as damaging as smoking. Furthermore, in the UK waste incinerators are 3x more likely to be built in deprived urban areas, affecting those who cannot afford private healthcare, such as struggling families.
As mentioned previously, the majority of waste is disposed of in developing countries, which is home to some of the youngest populations in the world (Waste Atlas), creating a direct link to poverty, youth, and rising cancer rates. Companies know the effects on both humans and the environment, yet continue to neglect these vulnerable groups to ensure their profits keep rising. You may be thinking that this seems out of your control; however, by reducing your use of plastic and ensuring to recycle it if you can minimise your own exposure to microplastics.