Why in news?
The Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) released a forecast warning that plastic use and waste in the ASEAN Plus Three region—Southeast Asia together with China, Japan and South Korea—could almost double by 2050 unless governments adopt strict policies. The report underscores that without intervention, plastic leakage into oceans and rivers and associated greenhouse‑gas emissions will rise sharply, threatening ecosystems and human health.
What does the report cover?
The report is a comprehensive environmental outlook examining trends in plastic production, consumption, waste generation and leakage in the ASEAN Plus Three region. It evaluates policy options to curb plastic pollution, ranging from bans on single‑use items to investment in recycling and alternatives.
Key findings
- Rapid growth in plastic use: Total consumption is projected to rise from about 152 million tonnes in 2022 to 280 million tonnes by 2050.
- Surge in waste generation: Annual plastic waste could increase from 113 million tonnes to 242 million tonnes, with packaging waste alone nearly doubling.
- Persistent mismanagement: Although the share of mismanaged waste may decline, the absolute quantity of improperly disposed plastic is expected to grow from 33 million tonnes to 56 million tonnes.
- Escalating leakage: An estimated 8.4 million tonnes of plastic entered the environment in 2022; this could reach 14.1 million tonnes by 2050 if current trends continue.
- Climate impact: Life‑cycle emissions from plastics are projected to rise from roughly 0.6 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022 to 1 gigatonne by mid‑century.
What needs to be done?
- Ban problematic products: Phase out single‑use plastics where alternatives exist and discourage unnecessary packaging.
- Improve collection and recycling: Expand waste‑collection coverage, invest in modern recycling infrastructure and encourage separate collection at source.
- Develop substitutes and a reuse economy: Support research into biodegradable materials and design products for reuse and refill to reduce virgin plastic demand.
- Strengthen regional cooperation: Pollution travels across borders; neighbouring countries must coordinate policies and share best practices to address transboundary leakage.
Tackling plastic pollution requires an integrated approach—from curbing production of single‑use items and improving waste management to fostering a circular economy. The ASEAN Plus Three nations have an opportunity to set ambitious targets and cooperate on innovations that protect marine ecosystems and human health.