A new academic study has raised concerns about the hidden environmental and health costs of the global plastic recycling system, revealing that large volumes of plastic waste exported from wealthy countries are being openly burned in developing nations causing dangerous levels of air pollution and increasing health risks for local communities.
Researchers found that while recycling is often promoted as a solution to the plastic crisis, a significant share of plastic waste collected in countries such as the United States is shipped overseas, particularly to lower and middle income nations where waste management infrastructure is often inadequate. Instead of being recycled, much of this waste ends up in open dumps and is frequently burned.
The study highlights that between 40 and 65 percent of municipal solid waste is openly burned in many developing countries, largely because nearly two billion people worldwide lack access to proper waste collection services. When plastic is burned, it releases harmful pollutants including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, styrene gas, dioxins and other toxic chemicals linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological disorders, and reproductive health problems.
Researchers examined the impact of plastic waste imports in Indonesia, which became a major destination for global plastic waste after China banned plastic waste imports in 2018. Prior to the ban, China handled nearly 45 percent of the world’s plastic waste imports between 1992 and 2016.
Using satellite observations cargo shipping data, and air quality monitoring systems, the researchers found that air pollution levels near large waste dump sites in Indonesia increased significantly after the shift in global waste flows. Fine particulate matter concentrations rose by an average of 3.3 percent, with some locations experiencing increases of up to 1.68 micrograms per cubic meter.
The findings suggest that these pollution increases could raise mortality risks associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by about 1.5 percent, lung cancer by 1.9 percent, and lower respiratory infections by 3.5 percent.
According to estimates from the World Economic Forum and the Indonesian government nearly 48 percent of Indonesia’s plastic waste was openly burned as of 2020. The study warns that this practice not only pollutes the air but also contaminates soil and groundwater with toxic substances that can enter food and water supplies.
Growing concerns over these impacts have prompted policy changes. Indonesia restricted non hazardous waste imports in 2021 and imposed a complete ban on plastic waste imports in 2025. Malaysia also tightened regulations allowing plastic waste imports only from countries that have ratified the Basel Convention on hazardous waste movements.
Meanwhile efforts to negotiate a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution have stalled despite increasing international concern. The European Union has introduced new rules that will prohibit exports of plastic waste to non OECD countries from late 2026.
The researchers argue that reducing plastic pollution will require more than recycling alone. They recommend cutting plastic consumption, promoting reusable packaging systems, improving product design, expanding recycling infrastructure, and introducing producer responsibility policies that make manufacturers accountable for the waste generated by their products.
With global plastic waste projected to reach unprecedented levels by 2050, the study warns that stronger international action is needed to prevent recycling systems from simply shifting pollution and health burdens from wealthy nations to vulnerable communities elsewhere in the world.