From Plastics to Progress: Reversing Southeast Asia’s Plastic Tidal Wave

Few environmental issues have sparked as much outrage and urgent action as plastic pollution. Images of plastic-clogged oceans and suffering marine life only hint at the deeper problem. The crisis begins with the production of virgin plastic, fueled by fossil resources, which is a major contributor to climate change. By 2050, plastic’s lifecycle emissions could consume 10–15% of the global carbon budget. Beyond emissions, plastics contain harmful chemicals and microplastics that are infiltrating everything from ocean depths to human bodies, posing negative health risks. According to a 2024 Cornell University study, humans are ingesting and inhaling more microplastics than at any time in recorded history. These pervasive particles have been detected in human blood, lungs, and breast milk.

This article examines the pressing global challenges related to plastic pollution and offers a strategic approach, particularly for Southeast Asia, to effectively address this issue. It also highlights the importance of sustainable packaging within agri-food systems to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

Globally, 460 million metric tons (MMT) of plastic are produced each year, serving countless purposes across industries. Around 20 million metric tons (MMT) of plastic waste enter the environment annually – a number projected to rise sharply by 2040. Agricultural value chains use 12.5 million MMT of plastic products each year. A further 37.3 MMT is used in food packaging. The crop production and livestock sectors are the largest users, accounting for 10.2 MMT per year collectively, followed by fisheries and aquaculture with 2.1 MMT, and forestry with 0.2 MMT. Asia is estimated to be the largest user of plastics in agricultural production, accounting for almost half of global usage.

Efforts like clean-ups and recycling have proven insufficient to stem the tide of plastic waste entering our rivers and oceans. In the absence of viable alternatives, the demand for plastics in agriculture is only set to increase, with production expected to double by 2030.

Southeast Asia: a hotspot for plastic pollution

A 2021 report by Lourens J.J. Meijer, published in the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, shows that the highest contributors to plastic pollution are not the countries producing or consuming the most. The highest polluters are countries, that due to their conformation, coastline, rainfall and inadequate waste management systems, carry more plastic to the sea through their polluted rivers.

Well, it’s no surprise that Southeast Asia has emerged as one of the highest plastic-polluting regions in the world. In fact, six of the top ten polluting nations are in this region. The Philippines alone releases 356,371 MT of plastic waste leaking into the ocean each year, representing about 35% of the global total. This record is followed by Malaysia (73,098 MT), Indonesia (56,333 MT), Myanmar (40,000 MT), Vietnam (28,221 MT), and Thailand (22,806 MT). Collectively, these countries contribute over half of the world’s ocean plastic pollution.

Rapid industrialization and high seafood consumption have driven the region, specifically, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, to the top of the global microplastic uptake rankings. According to a study published in Environmental Science and Technology, Malaysia ranks first among 109 countries, with the average Malaysian consuming 502.3 mg of microplastics daily per capita. Over 50% of this comes from fish consumption, highlighting the connection between the region’s diet and environmental health.

The study also highlights two primary sources of dietary microplastics, i.e., plastic accumulated in food, and material losses during food and drink production, processing, and packaging. These tiny plastic particles, less than 5 mm in size, can contaminate both freshwater and marine environments, spreading through water currents and even air, and eventually making their way into the food chain – posing significant risks to both human health and the environment. Tackling this waste is imperative, not only for the region’s green aspirations but also for the overall health of the planet.

The biggest culprits – big oil and big food

While individuals and governments both play a role in addressing plastic pollution – individuals need to dispose plastic waste responsibly, and governments must enforce regulations to promote sustainable practices – the ultimate responsibility lies with producers. The corporations most responsible for plastic pollution are fossil fuel companies and consumer goods manufacturers that continue to prioritize profits while portraying themselves as “sustainable”, despite their role in the ongoing crisis.

Most people are unaware that 99% of all plastics are derived from fossil fuels, and plastics contribute to climate change at every stage of their life cycle. From the extraction of fossil fuels to the production of plastics, and finally to the disposal of plastic waste, each phase generates significant greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, major oil companies have made ambitious climate commitments, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions and address the climate crisis. Yet, a recent report casts doubt on the credibility of these promises. For decades, plastic producers have positioned recycling as the primary solution to plastic waste, promoting it as both efficient and effective. However, internal records reveal that these companies knew over 30 years ago that recycling was neither economically viable nor capable of significantly reducing waste, despite their public claims. On September 23, 2024, the state of California filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against ExxonMobil, alleging that the company has spent decades misleading the public about the efficacy of plastic recycling. The lawsuit alleges that ExxonMobil has known for decades that recycling plastics is both technically and economically impractical, and would have little effect in reducing the vast amounts of plastic waste entering the environment. Despite this knowledge, the company continued to promote recycling as a feasible solution to the plastic waste crisis.

Meanwhile, leading brands like PepsiCo, Unilever, and Colgate-Palmolive have announced that they may not be able to meet their longstanding sustainable packaging goals by 2025. These companies publicly acknowledged difficulties in meeting their targets for recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging – citing significant challenges such as the shortage of food-grade recycled plastics, lack of recycling infrastructure, and the complexity of making multi-layer packaging materials recyclable.

PepsiCo, for example, projected that while it would achieve 98% of its packaging as recyclable or reusable by 2025, it would still fall short of its 100% goal. Similarly, Unilever scaled back its ambitious targets of halving virgin plastic usage by 2025, revising this to a one-third reduction by 2026. Colgate-Palmolive, too, noted difficulties in achieving its goals due to the rigid nature of flexible packaging materials, which remain hard to recycle on a large scale.

Neutralizing the plastic footprint

The insufficient waste collection and treatment facilities, combined with poor management systems in Southeast Asia and the region’s heavy reliance on plastic packaging, have led to escalating environmental and public health concerns. Addressing the challenge of reducing plastic production is complex, particularly given the disparity in plastic consumption between developing and developed economies. The ubiquity of plastic waste is not a problem that can be ignored or swept away by a tidal wave. It demands urgent attention and collective action across all sectors and borders.

The following presents a strategic approach to address these challenges head-on:

1. Adoption of circular economy models: A shift towards a circular economy in packaging is essential where materials can be reused, recycled, or composted. This includes designing packaging with end-of-life in mind, making it easier to recover and reuse.
2. Biodegradable and compostable packaging: Use biodegradable and compostable packaging materials made from agricultural by-products, such as cassava, rice husks, or banana leaves. These materials decompose naturally and reduce reliance on petroleum-based plastics.
3. Innovative technologies: Developing technologies that extend the shelf life of food will, in turn, reduce the need for excess packaging. Innovations in edible coatings or advanced food processing can minimize the overall packaging required.
4. Waste management infrastructure improvement: Enhancing waste collection, sorting, and recycling systems is essential for making sustainable packaging viable. Investments in infrastructure can ensure that even biodegradable and compostable packaging is processed correctly.
5. Government regulations and incentives: Governments can implement stricter regulations on plastic packaging and provide incentives for sustainable practices. Policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs place the responsibility of waste management on producers and incentivize eco-friendly packaging but the existing recycling industry framework poses challenges to achieving optimal recyclability levels.
6. Collaboration between stakeholders: Public-private partnerships, including government, industry, and civil society can encourage a cohesive approach to sustainable packaging solutions and drive innovation, the sharing of best practices, and the development of standardized regulations.
7. Consumer education and behavior change: Educating consumers about the benefits of sustainable packaging and encouraging behavioral changes will inspire them to reduce packaging waste and support eco-friendly products.

Conclusion

As plastic consumption skyrockets in Southeast Asia, so too does the environmental fallout from single-use plastics. It is a constant battle between entrenched habits and a growing realization that, if left unchecked, plastic waste will outlive us all by centuries. In this high-stakes scenario, policy initiatives are becoming as diverse as the region’s street food offerings.

But there is progress. Countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are exploring various Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approaches, while Indonesia is implementing early-stage regulations. Additionally, various countries have implemented taxes to reduce single-use plastic consumption. Brunei’s “No Plastic Bag Everyday” initiative and Thailand’s ban on single-use plastics exemplify the region’s commitment to waste reduction. Singapore has also adopted comprehensive legislation, including mandatory reporting and nationwide campaigns, to achieve its zero-waste goals.

But, while regulations are tightening, businesses also face the Sisyphean task of adapting supply chains and finding eco-friendly alternatives that won’t break the bank. With the right investments, stakeholder engagement and commitment to change, Southeast Asia can take the lead in revolutionizing packaging within its agri-food systems, and pave the way toward a greener future.

About the Author
Irene Gomez is co-head at cmXp2, specializing in strategic communications and advocacy for the food, health, agriculture, agri-food and aquaculture sectors. Full Bio

About cmXp2
cmXp2 (‘Xp2’) is a strategy services firm with deep communications, brand, engagement and advocacy expertise – designed to serve organizations operating in high regulated sectors, specifically: Life Sciences, Food & Nutrition, Agriculture & Agri-Food / Aquaculture, Global Banking & Markets, Institutional & Corporate Banking, and Professional B2B Corporate Services.

Xp2’s core services include Positioning: Brand & Purpose Alignment, Messaging & Communications, Stakeholder Engagement Strategies, Advocacy & KOL Strategies, Ethical Marketing, Sustainability Branding & Reputation, Product Recalls, Issues & Crisis Management, Litigation Comms, and Media Relations. Xp2 is a division of the award-winning Corporate Media Services Pte Ltd (CorpMedia) that has 32 years of experience. The firm is based in Singapore and serves the Southeast Asia region.