World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal mechanism for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in more than 100 countries. It also serves as the "people’s day" for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.

"Beat Plastic Pollution", the theme for World Environment Day 2018, is a call for action to all of us to come together and combat one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.  The theme of World Environment Day 2018 invites us all to consider how we can make changes in our everyday lives to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places, our wildlife and our own health.

The most prominent environmental features and facts are shown below:  

Quantity of Solid Waste Generated in Palestine
The average household daily waste generation in Palestine in 2015 was estimated at 2.9 kg (around 3.2 kg in the West Bank and 2.4 kg in Gaza Strip). The overall quantity of household solid waste generation on a daily basis was about 2,551.0 tons in 2015 (1,835.0 tons in the West Bank and 716.0 tons in Gaza Strip).

More than 96% of housing units in Palestine dispose household waste by throwing it in the Nearest Container
Data of Census 2017 showed that 96.2% of occupied housing units in Palestine dispose household waste by throwing it in the nearest container (94.7% in the West Bank and 98.7% in Gaza Strip).



More than 50% of solid waste components are organic materials
Data of Ministry of Local Government report, issued in August 2017 about the assessment of solid waste management in Palestine showed that the common components of solid waste in Palestine (the figure below).


Palestine’s emissions per capita during 2016 are significantly lower than those of its neighboring countries
In 2016, Palestine emitted 4,645.5 thousands metric tons CO2 eq., from energy, agriculture and solid waste sectors.   Energy sector share was 72.8% of these emissions, whereas solid waste sector share was 19.2%, and the rest came from agriculture sector (8.0%).

During 2016, Palestine’s emissions per capita was estimated about 0.964 tons CO2 eq.,.  Palestine’s emissions per capita are significantly lower than those of its neighboring countries.

83 Liter/capita/day Palestinian Water Consumption Rate
The daily allocation per capita from consumed water for domestic purposes is 83 liter/capita/day in Palestine. 82.3 (l/c/d) in the West Bank,  while it is 84 (l/c/d) in Gaza Strip in 2016.

However, 97% of drinking water in Gaza Strip does not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standards and it is also less than the minimum quantities recommended by WHO 100 (l/c/d).

More than 60% of Palestinians use safe drinking water
Data of Population, Housing and Establishments Census 2017 (Census 2017) showed that 62.4% of persons in Palestine use safe drinking water according to SDGs definition (95.1% in the West Bank and 11.4% in Gaza Strip)


More than 99% of Palestinians use safe sanitation
Data of Census 2017 showed that 99.7% of persons in Palestine use safe sanitation which includes (piped sewer system, cesspit, and pit) according to SDGs definition (99.6% in the West Bank and 99.9% in Gaza Strip).  Knowing that data excluded those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israeli Occupation in 1967.

Economics of plastic sector
Data of Ministry of Local Government report showed that plastic formed about 14.6% of the total solid waste in the West Bank and 12.0% of the total solid waste in Gaza Strip.

Data of Census 2017 showed that there are 327 plastic establishments working in Palestine during 2017 (out of 158,573 establishments in Palestine) and there are 2,361 employed persons in this field (out of 444,034 employed persons in Palestine).

The value added of the plastic establishments in Palestine reached USD 56,931.8 thousands during 2016, out of the value added of the industry sector in Palestine which reached USD 1,776,667.2 thousands.

Data of 2016 showed that the total imports of raw plastic reached USD 15.1 million in 2016 compared to USD 16.4 million in 2015.  Knowing that data excluded those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israeli Occupation in 1967.