Impoverished Nations: Ocean Plastic Pollution's Unseen Culprits?

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a critical issue that poses a significant threat to environmental sustainability and human health. While it is a global issue, with plastic waste originating from all over the world, it is important to consider the impact of poverty on the amount of plastic waste in the ocean. Studies have shown that the majority of ocean plastic waste comes from middle-income and low-income countries, particularly in Asia, due to inadequate waste management infrastructure. These countries often lack the necessary infrastructure to process the large amounts of plastic waste generated, leading to higher rates of mismanaged waste that ends up in rivers and oceans. The Philippines, for example, contributes a significant amount of plastic waste to the ocean due to its large coastline, numerous plastic-emitting rivers, and inadequate waste management systems.

Mismanaged plastic waste

Developing countries tend to have poorer waste management infrastructure, which can lead to higher levels of mismanaged plastic waste. These countries may lack the resources to build proper waste infrastructure in their communities. For example, the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, has a 36,289-kilometer coastline and 4,820 plastic-emitting rivers. It is estimated to emit 35% of the ocean's plastic due to mismanaged waste. The country has taken steps to improve its waste management, such as closing down illegal dumpsites, but solid waste management remains a major environmental issue.

India and China are the only countries to account for over 10 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste, although this could be partly due to their large populations. Other countries with significant mismanaged plastic waste include Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brazil, Bangladesh, and Thailand. These countries often receive bulk exports of plastic waste from high-income countries that have better waste processing capabilities.

The impact of mismanaged plastic waste on the environment is significant. Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose, and when burned, it releases toxic particles that harm air quality. It also affects the quality of soil and its surrounding ecosystem. Improving waste management strategies, especially in low-to-middle-income countries, is crucial to reducing plastic pollution. This includes domestic policies and foreign investments in waste management infrastructure.

Poor waste management infrastructure

Plastic waste that is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills becomes an environmental pollutant, with an estimated 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. While high-income countries generate a significant amount of plastic waste per person, they are also better at processing it safely. In contrast, low-to-middle-income countries often lack the infrastructure needed to manage their plastic waste effectively, resulting in higher rates of mismanaged waste that ends up in the ocean.

This disparity in waste management capabilities is primarily due to inadequate waste management infrastructure in developing nations. These countries may not have the necessary resources to invest in proper waste management systems, such as recycling facilities or sealed landfills. As a result, they become dumping grounds for plastic waste, both domestically produced and imported from other countries.

The Philippines, for instance, is the leading country among the top ten ocean plastic contributors, generating an estimated 356,371 metric tons of plastic waste in the ocean. Other countries in the Asia Pacific Region (APR), including Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Thailand, are also highly affected by oceanic waste pollution due to their proximity to the ocean and limited resources to process the pollution.

The problem is further exacerbated by the export of plastic waste from rich countries to low-to-middle-income nations. While the direct contribution of this trade to ocean plastic pollution is estimated to be relatively small (around 5%), it still has a significant impact. Banning the export of plastic waste to countries with poor waste management systems is crucial to reducing ocean pollution.

To address the issue of poor waste management infrastructure in low-to-middle-income countries, several actions can be taken:

• Domestic policies: Governments in these countries should prioritize investing in and developing efficient waste management systems, including recycling facilities and sealed landfills.
• Foreign investments: Richer countries can contribute by investing in waste management infrastructure in developing nations.
• Education: Communities, especially those in vulnerable areas, should be educated about the threats of plastic pollution and the importance of proper waste disposal and recycling.

Lack of resources to build waste infrastructure

While there are varying estimates, it is believed that around one to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans each year, with some previous estimates as high as eight million tonnes. Most of this plastic waste comes from poorer countries, particularly those in Asia.

Developing countries often lack the resources to build proper waste infrastructure in their communities. This is due to a combination of factors, including a lack of financial resources, socio-economic issues, and infrastructural limitations. For example, in many developing countries, waste is scattered in urban centres or disposed of in open dump sites due to a lack of infrastructure for collection, transportation, treatment, and final disposal. This, in turn, creates vast, toxic mountains of waste that pollute the air, contaminate water sources, and endanger public health.

In addition, the rapid increase in population, economic growth, urbanization, and industrialization in these countries further exacerbates the issue, leading to more waste generation. The lack of reliable waste collection services, limited source separation of waste types, and reliance on unmanaged landfills and open dumps for disposal are also contributing factors.

The absence of appropriate waste management systems and disposal facilities in developing countries is often due to inadequate economic resources and legislation. For instance, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, waste pickers collect household waste, including recyclables and hazardous items such as syringes, blades, and plastic materials. However, both scavengers and recycling operators lack knowledge about the risks associated with waste exposure, and employers do not provide occupational health and safety training.

Furthermore, the challenges of managing waste in developing countries are not limited to municipal solid waste (MSW). The mismanagement of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is also prevalent due to a lack of attention to product sizes, contractor interest, knowledge about construction during design activities, and poor materials handling. While 50-80% of C&D waste is reusable or recyclable, the current practices in many countries lack appropriate waste classifications and control of waste flows, further contributing to the lack of waste infrastructure.

Plastic waste exported to other countries

While it is true that most plastic waste in the ocean comes from middle-income countries, particularly across Asia, it is also true that wealthy nations contribute to this problem by exporting their plastic waste to less economically developed nations.

Wealthy nations often export their plastic waste to other countries because it is cheaper and easier than building domestic recycling infrastructure. This allows them to maintain a lower carbon footprint and portray themselves as progressing towards net-zero goals. However, this practice has significant environmental and ethical consequences. The burden of managing this waste falls disproportionately on developing nations, which often lack the infrastructure and resources to handle the influx of waste effectively.

In 2018, China banned most plastic waste imports, which dramatically altered the market. While some countries responded by reducing their plastic waste exports, others stepped in to meet the remaining demand. Developing nations, such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Turkey, which have poorly regulated recycling processes, have become major importers of plastic waste. These countries often mismanage plastic waste, contributing to ocean pollution.

According to a report by CleanHub, the top 10 countries exporting plastic waste are all high-income, developed nations, and seven of them are in Europe. Together, they export more than 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, accounting for 71% of all plastic waste exports globally. While some wealthy nations, like the Netherlands, the US, and Austria, have recently increased their imports, the burden of managing waste still falls primarily on developing nations.

To address the problem of plastic waste in the ocean, it is crucial to improve waste management infrastructure and practices in low-to-middle-income countries, as this is where most plastic pollution originates. Additionally, wealthy nations should support developing nations in processing waste effectively, rather than simply offloading the shipping waste to them.

Marine practices

While it is challenging to determine the exact amount of plastic in the ocean that originates from poverty-stricken countries, it is evident that plastic pollution is a pressing issue for marine ecosystems. Marine practices play a pivotal role in mitigating this crisis and safeguarding vulnerable marine life.

One crucial marine practice is the implementation of beach and river cleanups. Organisations like the Marine Conservation Society host events such as the Great British Beach Clean, combining litter picking with data collection to address plastic pollution in the United Kingdom. These cleanups are essential in removing plastic waste from coastal areas and waterways that could otherwise end up in the ocean.

Another critical marine practice is the promotion of reusable products over single-use plastics. This entails encouraging the use of reusable water bottles, carrier bags, and other sustainable alternatives. By reducing the consumption of single-use plastics, we can significantly lower the volume of plastic pollution reaching our coasts and oceans.

Additionally, marine conservation efforts should focus on rivers and coastlines as these are the primary sources of plastic pollution in the ocean. By targeting these areas, we can intercept and prevent plastic waste from entering marine ecosystems. This includes improving waste management systems and advocating for proper disposal methods, especially in regions with inadequate waste management infrastructure.

Mechanical solutions, such as the Seabin, have been explored as a means to collect and recycle ocean plastics. However, these devices have also inadvertently trapped marine animals, underscoring the importance of developing wildlife-friendly technologies for plastic removal.

Lastly, public awareness and advocacy are vital. Campaigns, petitions, and endorsements on petitions can exert pressure for political change and more robust environmental regulations. Success stories, such as the Marine Conservation Society's campaign for Sewage-Free Seas in the UK, highlight how public support can drive governments to include coastal waters and estuaries in discharge reduction plans.

In summary, a multifaceted approach involving cleanups, reusable products, targeted interventions at rivers and coastlines, improved waste management, and public advocacy, is essential to address plastic pollution in marine environments and alleviate the detrimental impacts on marine life and ecosystems.

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