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Plastic waste and microplastic issues in Southeast Asia

Frontiers in Environmental Science 2023 117 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Chi Huey Ng, Mohd Aizzan Mistoh, Siow Hwa Teo, Andrea Galassi, Azreen Ibrahim, Coswald Stephen Sipaut, Jurry Foo, Jeffrey Seay, Yun Hin Taufiq‐Yap, Jidon Janaun

Summary

This review examines the plastic waste and microplastic crisis across Southeast Asia, a region that contributes significantly to global ocean plastic pollution. The authors found that inadequate waste collection, limited recycling infrastructure, and rapid economic growth are driving the problem. The study evaluates current waste management systems and proposes strategies for improving plastic waste reduction in these countries.

Plastic pollution on land and in oceans is currently a pressing environmental issue. The accumulation of waste has caused severe, irreversible impacts and consequences on marine life, ecosystems, and the environment due to the lack of good waste collection, treatment, and management systems. Limited resources and infrastructure constantly challenge waste management in Southeast Asia. Therefore, we will examine the current plastic situation and issues in Southeast Asia and gain an understanding of the issues of the existing waste management systems in those countries. Then, we will examine the current practices applied in tackling plastic pollution and review the collective commitment and actions of governments, private sectors, social organizations, stakeholders, and consumers, as the key players in ending plastic pollution.

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