![\"Plastic](\"https:\/\/scitechdaily.com\/images\/Plastic-Bottle-Burning.jpg\")
<\/a>New analysis reveals that burning plastic is extra frequent as an on a regular basis power supply than beforehand understood, elevating severe world issues for well being, social inequality, and the setting.<\/strong><\/p>\n For some households, plastic waste will not be solely one thing to throw away. It may turn out to be gasoline for cooking, warmth, hearth beginning, or retaining bugs away when safer power sources are too costly, and waste assortment is unreliable.<\/p>\n A research led by Curtin University<\/a> factors to how widespread this hidden observe could also be in creating nations, elevating issues about well being, environmental harm and social inequality. Revealed in Nature Communications<\/span><\/em>, the research surveyed more than 1000 people across 26 countries who work closely with low-income urban neighborhoods, including researchers, government workers, and community leaders.<\/p>\n One in three respondents said they knew of households burning plastic. Many had seen neighbors or community members do it firsthand. A smaller but still important group said they had burned plastic themselves.<\/p>\n Dr. Bishal Bharadwaj, from the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition (CIET), said the study provides the first broad global evidence that households are burning plastic not just to get rid of waste, but to meet daily energy needs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an issue that has largely been happening out of sight in communities and been difficult to get accurate data on; however, this survey provides additional insights into what is going on,\u201d Dr. Bharadwaj said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen families can\u2019t afford cleaner fuels and have no reliable waste collection, plastic becomes both a nuisance and a last-resort energy source. We found evidence of people burning everything from plastic bags and wrappers to bottles and packaging, just to meet basic household needs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe practice is far more widespread than anyone realized, but because it happens in marginalized communities and is often hidden, it has escaped meaningful global attention despite the severe risks to health and the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n The survey found that households often burned plastic in simple stoves, including three-stone fires, charcoal stoves, and makeshift burners. That can produce toxic smoke inside homes and crowded neighborhoods, where people may have little choice but to breathe it.<\/p>\n Women, children, older residents, and people with disabilities were identified as the groups most exposed.<\/p>\n Coauthor Professor Hari Vuthaluru from Curtin\u2019s Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) said burning mixed plastics and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is especially dangerous because it can release highly toxic chemicals.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen PVC is burned, it releases highly toxic dioxins and furans, which are among the most dangerous pollutants known,\u201d Professor Vuthaluru said.<\/p>\n \u201cThese compounds persist in the environment, accumulate in the food chain and can cause serious health problems including cancer, reproductive disorders and immune system damage.<\/p>\n \u201cPVC ranks as the third most commonly burned plastic, which is extremely concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n The danger does not stop with smoke. Dr. Pramesh Dhungana from Curtin\u2019s School of Molecular and Life Sciences said plastic burning can also contaminate food and water.<\/p>\n \u201cOur survey found 60 percent of respondents thought it extremely likely that toxic chemicals from burning plastic could contaminate food and water,\u201d Dr. Dhungana said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t just theoretical: studies near plastic burning sites have found toxic compounds in eggs and soil samples.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen plastic burns near homes and food preparation areas, these toxins can settle on crops, enter water sources and accumulate in foods, creating a hidden health crisis for communities already facing significant challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor Peta Ashworth, coauthor and CIET Director, said the findings point to a problem that cannot be solved by simply warning people not to burn plastic. The practice is tied to deeper pressures, including energy poverty, unaffordable cleaner fuels and inadequate waste services.<\/p>\n The need for action is growing more urgent because plastic use is projected to triple by 2060.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople only do this because they have no safer alternatives, due to root causes such as extreme energy poverty, unaffordable cleaner fuels and inadequate waste services,\u201d Professor Ashworth said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s essential that solutions include improving sanitation, supporting access to modern cooking energy and working with communities on practical, culturally relevant options.<\/p>\n \u201cThis research provides the evidence base needed to design interventions that genuinely support the world\u2019s most vulnerable urban residents.\u201d<\/p>\n Reference: \u201cPrevalence of plastic waste as a household fuel in low-income communities of the Global South\u201d by Bishal Bharadwaj, Tara Gates, Sobia Rose, Ernoiz Antriyandarti, Sarva Mangala Praveena, Chizoba Obianuju Oranu, Monjit Borthakur, Pramesh Kumar Dhungana, Aminath Shazly, Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre, Ay\u015fe Lisa Allison, Dinushika Madhushani Yapa Abeywardhana, Sizwe Mabaso, Philip Kofi Adom, Margaret Banga, Witness Dlamini, Telesphore Kabera, Jessika Bohlmann, Chinnathan Areeprasert, Bijeesh Kozhikkodan Veettil, Wasso Dieudonn\u00e9 Shukuru, Nyaladzani Nkhwanana, Alice Kammwamba, Rajesh Kumar Rai, Bakary Conteh, Victoria Ndinelago Erasmus, Sadikou Agbere, Keophousone Phonhalath, Hope Njoroge, Darcy Glenn, Esther Ishuga, Gilbert Mubalama Mugisho, Raeesa Moolla, F\u00e8mi E. Hounnou, Madina Mwagale Guloba, Ulemj Damiran, Hari Vuthaluru, Yacob Mulagetta, Marc Jeuland, Ian D. Gates and Peta Ashworth, 8 January 2026, Nature Communications<\/i>. Never miss a breakthrough: Join the SciTechDaily newsletter.<\/a><\/b>Plastic becomes household fuel<\/h4>\n
Toxic smoke hits vulnerable groups<\/h4>\n
Contamination reaches food and water<\/h4>\n
Safer alternatives are essential<\/h4>\n
DOI: 10.1038\/s41467-025-67512-y<\/a><\/p>\n
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