Plastic pollution in Asia is intricately linked to climate change due to its dependence on oil and gas as primary raw materials. This issue is exacerbated by the phenomenon of “waste colonialism,” wherein high-income countries like the US, EU, UK, and Japan export massive amounts of plastic waste to developing nations in Asia and other regions of the Global South.
This practice, a legacy of colonial power dynamics, has created environmental and social injustices. The upcoming fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on the Global Plastic Treaty presents an opportunity for global leaders to address these compounded issues.
The transboundary movement of waste has persisted for decades despite public outcry and international agreements like the Basel Convention. While the convention initially aimed to control hazardous waste, it took until 2021 for amendments to include plastic waste.
Yet, waste trade continues, with Southeast Asian countries, and former colonial territories, bearing the brunt. From 2021 to 2023, nations like Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia received staggering amounts of plastic waste, perpetuating historical injustices. This waste trade allows high-income nations to maintain “clean” environments while overburdening poorer countries.
Global Plastic Treaty Seeks to End Waste Colonialism and Tackle Asia’s Pollution Crisis
Studies highlight the unintended consequences of waste trade, such as incentivizing excessive plastic consumption in exporting countries. The problem escalated in 2018 when China banned plastic waste imports, diverting the waste flow to Southeast Asia and overwhelming these countries’ capacities to manage it.
The inefficiency of recycling systems in many recipient nations means that much of the imported plastic contributes to environmental degradation and poses health risks to local communities.
Plastic pollution is often incorrectly attributed to mismanagement in recipient countries, ignoring the global supply chain and the role of large plastic producers, mostly based in the Global North. Since plastics are primarily oil and gas byproducts, this pollution issue intertwines with climate change.
High-income countries not only produce and consume plastics but also shift the burden of waste management to developing nations, exacerbating historical inequalities and environmental harm in these vulnerable regions.
The Global Plastic Treaty presents a pivotal chance to combat these issues. Leaders must advocate for legally binding measures that tackle the entire lifecycle of plastics—limiting production, banning single-use plastics, and mandating reuse and recycling.
It is critical to shift accountability to the Global North and major corporations that dominate plastic production. Addressing plastic pollution through this treaty could significantly contribute to climate mitigation and environmental justice, marking a transformative step toward global sustainability.
