Cheap waste upgrades cut plastic 98%

Improving basic waste collection and controlled disposal in low‑ and middle‑income countries could reduce global plastic pollution by over 98% without dramatic cuts in consumption. The marginal cost is low: high‑income countries spend about $50 per person on waste management versus $1 or less in low‑income countries, making small investments extremely cost‑effective. — Prioritizing low‑cost waste‑management investment in poorer countries should be a central element of international climate/environmental aid, treaty design, and philanthropic strategy.