Asia's Marine Debris Problem - History from 2001 to the 2020s

Asia's Marine Debris Problem - History from 2001 to the 2020s

In 2001, plastic waste entering the world's oceans was estimated to be about 8 million tons per year, with more than 60% of this coming from the Asia-Pacific region. Concrete damage was highlighted by the inflow of approximately 640,000 tons of plastic waste per year in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia, and 250,000 tons of trash per year observed in Manila Bay, the Philippines. In response, ASEAN countries and Japan promoted proper waste management and the introduction of recycling technologies, and concrete actions were taken, including the development of degradable plastics by Japan's Sumitomo Chemical and the introduction of waste collection equipment by Toray Industries, Inc.

In the 2010s, the inflow of plastic increased to more than 9 million tons per year, and inadequate waste management, especially in ASEAN countries, became an issue. In the Malaysian state of Johor, coastal cleanup costs amounted to about $30 million per year, and in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, more than 200,000 tons of waste was discharged into the ocean annually. In response, ASEAN countries set a goal of reducing plastic spills by 50% by 2030, and Japan provided 200 billion yen for the construction of a waste treatment facility, thus promoting international cooperation.

The annual inflow of plastic waste in the 2020s will reach approximately 11 million tons, 70% of which will come from the Asia-Pacific region. Specifically, 3.3 million tons of waste will flow into the Yangtze River estuary in China each year, and Shanghai has doubled the capacity of its recycling facilities, thereby securing an annual processing capacity of 10 million tons. In Indonesia's Jakarta Bay, where more than 900,000 tons of waste flows in annually, an AI-based waste collection system provided by Hitachi, Ltd. has improved processing efficiency by 30%. Also, in Manila Bay in the Philippines, 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year flows into the bay, and the special filter technology provided by Daikin Industries has increased the amount of waste collected by 50%.

Plastic bottles, food packaging, and plastic bags are the main components of plastic waste, accounting for 35%, 25%, and 20%, respectively. These wastes have serious impacts on marine ecosystems and economic activities. In Langkawi, Malaysia, the annual cost of cleaning up tourist attractions exceeds $50 million, and in the North Pacific "garbage belt," 90% of fish and seabirds ingest plastic, causing a 20% decline in fishing productivity.

From 2001 through the 2020s, progress was made in addressing Asia's marine debris problem, promoting multilateral cooperation and technological innovation. However, addressing the reality of an annual waste inflow of 11 million tons requires even stronger policies and the achievement of specific numerical targets. Cooperation from local communities and international efforts are essential to achieve sustainable ocean management.