Waste Management Practices in the ASEAN

According to the data from the World Bank (2018), the Pacific and East Asia
generate 23% of the world’s waste. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-
growing regions that is expected to double its total waste generation. The critically
essential environmental and health concerns in Asia are represented by solid waste
and wastewater management. According to an article from 2020 by The
Kontinentalist, a data-driven publication based in Singapore, the recycling rate across
Southeast Asia is less than 50 percent. Cities generate more waste than they can
handle which leads to neglect of the issue of waste management.

Alternative methods such as incineration, which reduce space and add the
benefit of generating energy, are still subject to criticism as incineration is energy-
intensive and environmentally unsustainable by producing pollutants.

Landfills remain the predominant method of waste management among the 10

ASEAN member states, being hazardous to both people and the environment while
being susceptible to burning, which can pollute and have an adverse effect on human
health (FedCenter, 2017). In terms of plastic waste management, Asian countries use
only two methods: incineration and recycling. However, recycling is mostly done in
junk shops and less so in households. As a result, most plastics end up in dumps or
landfills, where they pollute waterways and end up in the ocean, endangering aquatic
organisms.

The widespread use of single-use plastics is one of the issues in Asian

countries. Daily, nearly 164 million sachets are used, equivalent to nearly 60 billion
sachets per year (GAIA 2019).  According to global plastic waste statistics,
approximately 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, which is
equivalent to the total weight of the human population.
 On the other hand, these countries have begun to develop strategies, policies,
and other measures in order to join the global fight against plastic pollution (Akenji et
al., 2020).

Global waste is currently a crucial issue and if no urgent action is taken, it

could increase by 70%. It is also vital to regulate plastic production and pollution by
adopting waste management and recycling strategies from other countries to address
the problem of non-biodegradable waste. Hence, tackling composting as one of the
solutions to achieve solid waste management is a feasible path to take. When executed
properly, organic waste is converted into compost, which can be utilized as a high-
quality fertilizer for crops.

Unfortunately, composting has remained to be a method that is not commonly

used in some ASEAN countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Based on a
research study about the knowledge of solid waste management through composting
in rural communities in the aforementioned counties, results have shown that 38% of
Indonesian respondents and 74% Malaysian respondents did not know about the
composting process. ( Anwar et al, 2020)

The barriers to the execution of composting in Southeast Asian countries

continue to hamper its vast potential due to limited experience in composting, lack of
local facilities, and the setting up of a compost wherein it attracts wild animals, odor
generation, and a lack of information as to how it works (UN Environment, 2017).
These barriers are categorized as financial, policy & institutional, technological, and
behavioral barriers.

Singapore

In Singapore, the amount of waste generated locally has increased sevenfold over the
past 40 years. Their only landfill, the Semakau Landfill, will run out of space by
2035, based on the current waste disposal rate, even with incineration. Their
Government has taken major steps to catalyze Singapore’s transition to a circular
economy. They launched the Zero Waste Master Plan in 2019 to lay out their vision
 and strategies. The Masterplan sets out a target to reduce the amount of waste going to
their landfill by 30% by 2030.

Singapore's process of trash management involves burning of trash and filtering the
smoke. The harmful gasses are filtered out so the air that is emitted from the
incineration plants is made less harmful. Additionally, the ash is dumped in the water
of the man-made island, which does not touch ocean waters, therefore making no
harmful impact (Vemuri, 2021).

According to their government, mandatory reporting is the first step toward

sustainable packaging waste management. From 2020 onwards, they will require
companies that place packaging on the consumer market to collect data on the types
and amounts of packaging and draw up plans for reducing the amount of packaging
that will end up as waste for disposal. The companies that will come under this
framework include brand owners, importers, and large retailers including
supermarkets. They are also currently studying the feasibility of implementing an
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system to manage packaging waste.

The Philippines

The Philippines grapples with unsustainable plastic production/consumption

and insufficient solid waste management infrastructure. A staggering 2.7 million tons
of plastic waste are generated in the Philippines each year, with 280,000 to 750,000
tons ending up in the sea, according to Jambeck et al (2015) and the World Bank.
Plastic waste leakage was primarily caused by rural areas with varying waste
densities, illegal dumping by private hauler companies, and dumpsites that were
poorly located (Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and
Environment, 2015).

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) was signed into law
in 2001, with the goal of reducing solid waste at all stages of the process, from
generation to collection, treatment, and final disposal (JICA 2008). The National
Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), which is part of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-
 EMB), is the main agency in charge of enforcing RA 9003. (Philippine Statistics
Authority 2014; Asian Development Bank 2009). Since then plans such as the 2019
National Plan of Action on Marine Litter by DENR in partnership with UNDP, 2020
House Bill No. 8692, (16) Ban on Single-Use Plastic Products, among others were
signed into law. With the Philippines having created a regulatory framework for
dealing with plastic waste, there is still a lack of political will to enforce and prioritize
waste separation, which many people believe will result in new inconveniences.

Singapore and the Philippines, both having their respective approaches

towards the issue of waste management. Singapore has a primary framework that is
altered over time while under a full-force implementation alongside infrastructure that
is fit to mitigate the issue. The Philippines on the other hand has long had laws but
enforcement falls short leaving citizens and private individuals to put matters into
their own hands through illegal waste disposal practices.

As citizens play a vital role in mitigating the issue of waste management,

leaders must prioritize and strategize a means of educating and raising awareness of
their citizens. This could start in households and schools, where individuals start to
learn the fundamentals of being a globally aware citizen; thus people will be able to
be involved even at an early age, develop a good habit of managing wastes through
proper segregation and composting or even become pioneers to develop sustainable
and innovative ways to counter the issue of mismanaged wastes Once the behavioral
changes have been instilled in the country’s people that’s when infrastructure can be
used in conjunction. Through this, we will not only be able to help our country but
also the ASEAN.
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Additional Notes on Other ASEAN Countries:

Vietnam
In Vietnam, there is still a lack of understanding of plastic waste. Plastic
products are now widely used due to their low cost and ease of use. Thus, policies and
regulations in Vietnam regarding the use of plastic products and waste management in
general, are difficult to implement in effectively reducing the damage caused by
plastic waste.
 The prime minister of Vietnam signed Decision 582/QDTTg in 2013 to launch
a program to strengthen environmental pollution control caused by the use of non-
biodegradable plastic bags. In comparison to 2010, the program sets targets for 2020
that include a 65 percent reduction of non-biodegradable plastic bags used in
supermarkets and commercial centers, as well as a 50 percent reduction in the volume
of non-biodegradable plastic bags used in residential markets.

According to a journal entitled “Current Situation And Solutions For The

Environmental Pollution In Vietnam.” published in 2019, strengthening propaganda
and education in Vietnam is a solution to pollution. This is through increasing the
interest and direction of leaders at all sectors; and by regularly propagating, educating,
and raising awareness about environmental protection through the proper
dissemination of information and educational activities.

Thailand
Thailand produces 1.03 million tons of plastic waste per year, with more than
3% of that ending up in the ocean making it the world’s sixth largest source of ocean
waste. According to a government survey conducted in 2017, Thais use an average of
eight plastic bags per day, amounting to approximately 198 billion per year.

Thailand has joined Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries in imposing
import restrictions on scrap materials. On June 23, 2018, it was announced that it
would no longer accept shipments of recovered plastic bound for any Thai port. The
Roadmap for Thailand's Plastic Waste Management was also established in 2018,
involving visions, mechanisms, and measures in order to reach their target goal by
2030, which primarily focuses on recycling and follows the concept of a circular
economy (Pollution Control Department, 2018).

Indonesia

Indonesia is also dealing with a major plastic waste problem. Although the
plastic recycling industry has been implemented, it is not reliable to manage all of
Indonesia's waste and plastic waste treatment machines are expensive. The
government of Indonesia has mandated all stakeholders to participate and contribute
to solving the national waste and plastics challenges through the Waste Management
Law of 2008. Municipalities are required to develop and implement waste
management plans in their respective regions. However, the local government does
not provide adequate facilities to support the segregation policy which is essential for
effective waste management.

Myanmar

The composition of plastics in solid waste generated in Myanmar was

estimated at 16% (Hoornweg and Perinaz, 2012). An article by World Bank Group
(2019) stated that an innovator, Min Kyaw Zin from Myanmar, appeared with a
solution to reduce plastic pollution. An innovation that will make use of banana leaves
or betel farms by-products to create biodegradable goods and packing to replace
plastic and Styrofoam use. He hoped to raise public awareness on how the use of
substitutes and biodegradable products for plastic differs from plastic and non-
degradable materials.

Brunei
One of Brunei’s environmental concerns is solid waste management. It is
frequently disposed of in an indiscriminate manner at common dump sites and spilled
or leaked into water bodies because the country lacks a trash collection system.
Improved waste collection and reduced consumption of plastic have been flagged by
the Brunei government as crucial next steps to decrease plastic waste (P., 2020).

Several campaigns have been done to combat the problem. The Ministry of
Development of Brunei has launched campaigns on plastic waste reduction, such as
the promotion of reusable bags. (Ministry of Development, 2019). Additionally, the
'No Plastic Bag Weekend' was launched on 26 March 2011 to phase out plastic bag
use every Saturday and Sunday (Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic
Debris, n.d.) It was said that this program is predicted to help the government meet its
goal of increasing recycling rates in Brunei from 10% to 15% in the span of 5 years.

Cambodia
 Cambodia generates more than 3.6 million tonnes per year. Cambodia's
consumption is only increasing, with waste volume increasing by 10% per year.

In 2019, the Ministry of Environment announced plans to implement a sub-

decree prohibiting the use of single-use plastics. Neth Pheaktra, the ministry's
spokesman, elaborated on the ban on single-use plastics, which include straws,
utensils, and cups. If implemented, the ban will place a greater emphasis on
commercial food service establishments that rely heavily on single-use plastics.

Their government has an action plan in the form of the National Waste
Management Strategy Action Plan, which is being developed in collaboration with
UNEP, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, and the Cambodian Ministry
of Environment. This plan promotes the recycling of plastic wastes while also
reducing waste production and improving collection of plastic waste. Another
government action plan, the National Environment Strategy Action and Plan 2016-
2023, calls for the implementation of the 3Rs (Reduce, reuse, recycle).

Laos

Lao PDR has been trying to clean and green with a plan in mind. Lao PDR has
had one of the fastest-growing economies in East Asia and the Pacific over the last 20
years. And as a result of that growth and urban lifestyle adaptation, their waste
production has increased in volume (doubled in some areas). Laos expressed
commitment to addressing the issue of plastic pollution. Its vision for green economic
growth, outlined in the National Green Growth Strategy 2030, is centered on reforms
aimed at maximizing natural capital while minimizing environmental costs.

With assistance from the World Bank and the EU Switch Asia Facility, the
Lao government is developing a plan called the National Plastics Action Plan. They
will try to change people's behavior in this plan because many people (especially
facilities or jobs) use a lot of plastics. The plan is essentially to encourage people to
take these proactive steps to prevent and reduce plastic pollution. Even though the
country's economy is expanding, it is still necessary to maintain the health of the
environment.
Malaysia
The solid waste generation for any person in Kuala Lumpur was estimated to be 1.5
kg a day, which produced an estimated 30,000 tonnes per day. Nowadays, solid waste
disposal has become a serious issue for municipal governments throughout the nation
since available landfills decrease and local authorities struggle to develop alternative
means in reducing wastes.

Thus, the Food Waste Management Development Plan for the Industry, Commercial
and Institution Sector (2016-2026) (PPPSM ICI) was developed to achieve effective
and efficient waste management. Several countries In Malaysia had implemented
various methods of composting including the heat method, shallow compartment
method, mechanical method, and Bio-Regen which managed the wastes and reduced
waste volume in landfills.