50 shades of black + 254 January 21, 2019 A boom in garbage is almost always the result of two related phenomena: urbanization and income growth. Rural dwellers moving to the city shift from buying unpackaged goods to buying stuff (especially food) wrapped in plastic. As their incomes rise, their purchases increase. That growth in consumption is almost never matched by expanded garbage collection and disposal. In typical low-income countries, less than half of all garbage is collected formally, and what little is picked up tends to end up in unregulated open dumps. In 2015, scientists estimated that as much as 88 percent of the waste generated in Vietnam is either littered or tossed into uncontained dumps. In China, the rate is about 77 percent. By comparison, the U.S. rate is 2 percent. Just eight countries are responsible for about 63 percent of total plastic waste flowing into the oceans. Little of that junk has been exported by rich economies. Instead, it's almost solely generated by Asia's newly minted consumer classes, the vast majority of whom lack access to garbage collection, modern landfills and incineration. Any progress in reducing ocean plastic will have to start with them. These eight countries are responsible for 63.6% of ocean trash: China Indonesia Philippines Vietnam Sri Lanka Thailand Egypt Malaysia Asia as a "leader".... 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pavel + 384 PP January 21, 2019 Notice they are all nations that might have less to no recycling programs and facilities. Plastic can be recycled into plastic bank notes, furniture, and other useful item. How to fix in these nations? That is a big  question... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinto + 293 PZ January 21, 2019 A lot of plastic materials discarded everywhere after use. No good. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
50 shades of black + 254 January 21, 2019 I bet many of them have no laws and just dump them in the ocean. And, in the countries with a low level of human consciousness, without strong campaign about a health,life, it's hard to expect step forward... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainman + 263 January 21, 2019 9 minutes ago, 50 shades of black said: These eight countries are responsible for 63.6% of ocean trash: China Indonesia Philippines Vietnam Sri Lanka Thailand Egypt Malaysia Asia as a "leader".... Some of them are the victims of global capitalism. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinto + 293 PZ January 21, 2019 What is the UN doing? Should the UN not take them to task? Â There are enough people in those countries to clean up.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderBlade + 231 TB January 21, 2019 Just now, pinto said: What is the UN doing? Should the UN not take them to task? Â There are enough people in those countries to clean up.... Much like in the US, the UN has no actual authority in countries in most places. Â They can declare whatever they want and the country can just ignore it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damirUSBiH + 327 DD January 21, 2019 Plastic waste is like a plague of 21st century... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronwagn + 6,290 January 22, 2019 12 hours ago, ThunderBlade said: Much like in the US, the UN has no actual authority in countries in most places.  They can declare whatever they want and the country can just ignore it. Which is a good thing IMHO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickW + 2,714 NW January 22, 2019 At 42MJ/Kg that plastic would make a good fuel for a waste to energy plant. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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