The amount of single-use packaging is extremely growing worldwide due to the rapid urbanization, economic development and changing consumption and production patterns. Apart from that, there is a lack of efficient waste management in terms of collection, sorting, recycling, energy recovery and disposal of packaging waste. Hence, these problems contribute to marine littering which impacts on marine ecosystems and fisheries, as well as the tourism sector. Marine litter affects over 800 species in marine and coastal environments. About 60 to 90% of marine litter consists of plastics (e.g. single-use plastic products and packaging).

Referring to the current issues of single-use plastic and packaging, circular economy strategies introduced as a solution to tackle with marine litter. Circular design for packaging, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, plastic waste management and green public procurement are among many solutions.

Here are some of the examples of the initiatives for each country:

China

- Improving Ship Waste Management in Chinese Commercial Ports

- Fishing for Litter in Hainan

Indonesia

- Single-Use Plastic Free Schools

- Less Plastic Waste in Indonesian Market

Philippines

- Reduction of Plastic Waste in Iloilo City

- Promoting Innovative and Sustainable Packaging

Singapore

-‘EPR & Beyond‘: EU-Singapore Dialogue on Circular Economy

Thailand

- A Circular Economy for Islands

- Households Fit for Recycling

Vietnam

- Volunteer Team: Engaging the Fishing Community in Plastics Collection

- A Better Ship Waste Handling in Vietnamese Ports

Governments, businesses, academia and civil society have realized the importance of the transition towards a circular economy to tackle marine litter which meets the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash