Why Southeast Asia is drowning in imported plastic waste [Video]

Southeast Asia faces a severe environmental crisis as imported plastic waste accumulates across its beaches and towns, disrupting local ecosystems and communities.

Key points:

How bad it is: Southeast Asian countries received 17% of the world’s plastic waste imports between 2017 and 2021, according to the United Nations. The region, however, has only about 9% of the world’s population.

What this means: The escalating amount of plastic waste not only mars the region’s natural beauty — it also poses significant health and environmental risks. As it affects marine life, the debris also endangers local economies, particularly fishing and tourism.

Who’s causing it: Developed jurisdictions such as the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and the European Union all export plastic waste to the region. However, other ASEAN countries — notably Thailand and Singapore — also do.

Where the trash goes: Certain areas appear to have been hit the hardest.

How residents are dealing with it: Community members often undertake …