Young people experience plastic pollution as a direct threat to their physical health, mental wellbeing, and sense of justice. They are transforming eco-anxiety into action and demanding systemic solutions that prioritise dignity, healing, and accountability — especially for communities living in polluted and politically neglected environments.

Youth are calling for a just transition away from plastic that creates inclusive, dignified green jobs and ensures no one is left behind. They advocate for equity, formal recognition of informal workers, reparations, and structural investment in local economies and community-driven solutions.

Young people call for inclusive governance that values diverse knowledge systems and ensures youth leadership is meaningful, not tokenistic. They demand accessible participation, investment in skills and mentorship, and the integration of Indigenous and traditional knowledge in decision-making to create policies that reflect lived experience and local realities.