2-6-2023 (BANGKOK) Nestled along the edges of a canal in central Bangkok lies the small community of Koh Klang. However, this idyllic setting is marred by a disheartening sight—an unrelenting flow of plastic debris. Plastic bottles, bags, straws, and other waste float aimlessly, serving as a constant reminder of the overwhelming amount of plastic that infiltrates the city’s waterways and surrounding environment.
Southeast Asia is notorious for its high levels of plastic pollution, with India, Malaysia, and the Philippines topping the charts for riverine plastic waste, as revealed by a 2021 report by The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch non-governmental organization (NGO).
In Thailand, the plastic problem has escalated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial momentum towards reducing plastic usage has waned as public health and convenience took precedence. Disturbingly, only 18 percent of the country’s 2.76 million tonnes of plastic waste generated last year was recycled, according to Thailand’s Pollution Control Department. The majority, approximately 76 percent, ended up in landfills, while an estimated 80,000 tonnes leaked into the environment. Shockingly, the amount of recyclable plastic discarded in 2021 was less than half of the 2019 figure, while non-recyclable plastic saw a staggering increase of over 30 percent.
Further research is being conducted in Thailand to understand the risks posed by microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic debris, to the environment. Experts warn that the consequences are alarming for marine biodiversity and human health. Microplastics have been found in sea salt, fresh water, drinking water, and industrial sludge, permeating various aspects of daily life, as highlighted by Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee, a senior researcher on plastic waste at Chulalongkorn University.
In response to the escalating global crisis, world leaders have convened in Paris this week to establish a binding treaty that governs plastic pollution. However, similar to climate change negotiations, significant conflicts arise among different governments, making it challenging to reach a consensus. The intense talks are expected to yield a draft text, following last year’s commitment to develop a legal agreement by 2024.
Dimitris Faloutsos, the head of Transboundary Waters at the Global Water Partnership (GWP), a global network of government institutions, academics, companies, and NGOs, emphasizes the necessity of a treaty, given the magnitude of the problem. Contentious issues include the feasibility of reducing plastic production and disparities between countries most affected by plastic waste and those responsible for its production.
Countries heavily reliant on oil and gas, such as the United States, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, have vehemently opposed restrictions on plastic production or bans. Instead, they advocate for focusing on cleaning up existing waste. Even in Thailand, plastic expert Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee notes the strong influence plastic producers still hold, as demonstrated by the presence of petrochemical industry representatives in Thailand’s Paris delegation, while academic and NGO groups are excluded. This dynamic shapes the focus of plastic policies, with the Thai government emphasizing waste management and recycling, which she believes cannot provide a sustainable solution to the plastic waste problem.
Preceding the Paris negotiations, the UN released a comprehensive report last month outlining measures to combat plastic pollution. The report proposes systemic changes, including the establishment of a true circular economy with safety standards for disposing of non-recyclable waste and making manufacturers responsible for the environmental impact of microplastics caused by their products. It calls for substantial investments in new production facilities to create jobs and improve the livelihoods of informal workers. Additionally, governments are urged to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, make recyclable goods competitive with virgin plastic, promote reuse options, and substitute harmful products like plastic wrappers, sachets, and takeaway items with alternative materials.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), over two-thirds of plastic consumed worldwide are short-lived products destined to become waste. This consumption shows no signs of slowing down, with global production potentially tripling by 2060 under current trends. Even with a transformative shift, the UN report estimates that approximately 100 million tonnes of single-use or short-life plastic will still require proper management annually by 2040.
Turning off the “plastic tap,” as the UN describes it, represents one of the most challenging aspects of the negotiations, but it is also the most crucial, according to Faloutsos. He emphasizes that the treaty will play a vital role in coordinating efforts to address plastic waste, setting targets, and timelines for reducing plastic production volumes. It is hoped that the treaty will level the playing field for circular solutions and address economic incentives that drive plastic production. However, Faloutsos underscores that these measures alone will not suffice. Action must also focus on reducing plastic production, implementing bans, and substituting single-use plastics with environmentally friendly alternatives to protect ecosystems and human health.
While the treaty mechanism is not a “silver bullet” solution, as cautioned by the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and Chatham House, it forms part of a broader framework requiring upstream and downstream policies, improved data, and investments in infrastructure. Successful models, such as those implemented in Japan, the European Union, and Chile, emphasize holistic approaches that prioritize eliminating single-use plastics over mere clean-up efforts.
As experts debate the best strategies for curbing plastic pollution, The Ocean Cleanup, an organization dedicated to ridding the planet of plastic waste, has turned its attention to Asia’s rivers. These rivers are major contributors to the plastic waste that ultimately finds its way into the oceans. The organization is currently deploying “spaceship look-alike devices” called Interceptors in Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand to target highly polluted waterways in the region. These autonomous, solar-powered vessels operate like catamarans, using a conveyor belt to collect plastic debris and deposit it into a 50 cubic meter dumpster.
Each river presents unique challenges, necessitating extensive testing and careful planning. For example, the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, with its heavy traffic and imposing size, requires a meticulous approach. The Interceptors are currently operational in the Klang River in Malaysia and Can Tho in the Mekong Delta, with plans to launch them in the Cisadane River in Indonesia and the Chao Phraya River later this year.
Steven Paalman, director of Asia Rivers for The Ocean Cleanup, acknowledges the limitations of cleanup efforts but believes they serve as a catalyst for improved waste management practices in these countries. He emphasizes the need for widespread waste management deployment throughout the region to address the underlying issue effectively.
