Understand the impacts of the plastic crisis and how you can pray for all those affected by it.
Credit: Tearfund
The fifth round of plastics treaty negotiations (INC-5.2) resumes in Geneva, Switzerland in August 2025. Our prayer is that they secure an ambitious, global, and legally-binding plastics treaty to bring an end to plastic pollution.
Together, let’s ask God to guide decision makers as they work to secure an ambitious plastics treaty – an opportunity we may never see again.
Find out why this global issue is personal to us and the communities we serve…
Read moreIt’s an unfair reality that often those people who have done the least to contribute to the plastics crisis are suffering the worst of its consequences.
Pray for: legally binding targets for countries to reduce plastic production, drastically improve waste management and scale up reuse solutions so that less waste is created.
It’s an unfair reality that often those people who have done the least to contribute to the plastics crisis are suffering the worst of its consequences.
Pray for: legally binding targets for countries to reduce plastic production, drastically improve waste management and scale up reuse solutions so that less waste is created.
For a global plastics treaty to be effective and bring about the crucial change that is needed to keep the world and everyone living in it safe, countries must be willing to work together to address the plastics crisis.
Pray for: decision-makers and negotiators to understand the scale of the problem and to put aside politics, self-interest and corporate greed in favour of solutions that will benefit the whole world, particularly people living in poverty.
For a global plastics treaty to be effective and bring about the crucial change that is needed to keep the world and everyone living in it safe, countries must be willing to work together to address the plastics crisis.
Pray for: decision-makers and negotiators to understand the scale of the problem and to put aside politics, self-interest and corporate greed in favour of solutions that will benefit the whole world, particularly people living in poverty.
Waste pickers are informal workers who collect, sort and sell materials for recycling or reuse. It’s estimated that more than 40 million people around the world earn an income in this way, but their rights and livelihoods are often not protected by governments or respected by businesses.
Pray for: a global plastics treaty that secures recognition, a living income, and a ‘just transition’, which means that where livelihoods are affected, plans are in place to support workers in transitioning to better livelihood opportunities.
Waste pickers are informal workers who collect, sort and sell materials for recycling or reuse. It’s estimated that more than 40 million people around the world earn an income in this way, but their rights and livelihoods are often not protected by governments or respected by businesses.
Pray for: a global plastics treaty that secures recognition, a living income, and a ‘just transition’, which means that where livelihoods are affected, plans are in place to support workers in transitioning to better livelihood opportunities.
This treaty is an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and care for creation in our efforts to fight for change. For more than three years, Tearfund has been advocating for a strong treaty that will help protect people living in poverty and waste pickers.
Pray for: energy and perseverance as our team travels and participates in INC-5.2. May they carry hope over despair in all their conversations and find God’s favour going ahead of them in their dealings with negotiators and stakeholders.
This treaty is an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and care for creation in our efforts to fight for change. For more than three years, Tearfund has been advocating for a strong treaty that will help protect people living in poverty and waste pickers.
Pray for: energy and perseverance as our team travels and participates in INC-5.2. May they carry hope over despair in all their conversations and find God’s favour going ahead of them in their dealings with negotiators and stakeholders.
The church has an important role in bringing solutions to this vast problem, both through taking action and praying for change. As consumers, as Christians and as inhabitants of this planet, we all have a part to play in tackling the plastics crisis.
Pray for: motivation to make daily plastic-use changes (small and large) and wisdom in how to show God’s love to the world around us in the midst of the plastics crisis.
The church has an important role in bringing solutions to this vast problem, both through taking action and praying for change. As consumers, as Christians and as inhabitants of this planet, we all have a part to play in tackling the plastics crisis.
Pray for: motivation to make daily plastic-use changes (small and large) and wisdom in how to show God’s love to the world around us in the midst of the plastics crisis.
Slide 1 of 3: 441,000 tonnes of plastic waste enters our rivers, lakes and oceans every week (UNEP)
Slide 2 of 3: 1 in 4 people don't have to access suitable waste management (Tearfund)
Slide 3 of 3: 1.3 million tonnes of plastic waste is incinerated every week (OECD)
441,000 tonnes of plastic waste enters our rivers, lakes and oceans every week (UNEP)
1 in 4 people don't have to access suitable waste management (Tearfund)
1.3 million tonnes of plastic waste is incinerated every week (OECD)
Our Rubbish Campaign has ended, but we've kept this creative guide available to help you pray for this issue further.
Let's pray to God together for justice at a local, national and global level to dismantle the root causes of poverty.
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