The world is on track to generate a staggering amount of plastic waste by 2050, with most of it ending up in landfills or being incinerated, particularly in lower-income countries where open burning is prevalent. This process releases toxic air pollutants, significantly impacting public health. For instance, in Indonesia, air pollution from open burning increased by 3.3% after China banned plastic waste imports in 2018. Currently, only 5% to 6% of plastic waste in the United States is recycled, revealing a major gap in effective waste management. In response, countries like Indonesia and Malaysia are enacting stricter regulations on plastic waste imports. Furthermore, the European Union has introduced new regulations to limit plastic waste exports outside wealthy nations. To address the plastic crisis, experts advocate for reducing plastic use, improving recycling systems, and implementing extended producer responsibility laws, which have already been adopted in several U.S. states. These measures aim to mitigate health risks associated with plastic waste and promote sustainable waste management practices.