Marginalized communities bear disproportionate harm from land‑based plastic pollution—exposed to toxic dumps, flooding, soil contamination, respiratory and waterborne diseases—while contributing least to waste generation
Informal waste pickers risk respiratory illness, chemical exposure, and income loss—especially during lockdowns—due to shutdowns of recycling hubs and lacking protective systems.
Factories, landfills, incinerators are often sited near poor or indigenous communities, exposing them to pollution and limiting access to clean water, land, and environmental rights.
Reforming waste systems demands inclusive policies, EPR laws, fair siting, and industrial accountability—ensuring waste solutions protect all, not just privileged communities.