High-income countries export vast amounts of plastic waste to Southeast Asia, perpetuating environmental and social injustices tied to colonial legacies and oil-driven plastic production.
Coleen Salamat writes for Mongabay.
In short:
- Since 1988, over 250 million tons of plastic waste have been exported globally, often from the Global North to Southeast Asia, a practice dubbed as ‘waste colonialism’, as former colonial states almost eclusively are the recipients of waste and trash.
- Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and India are overwhelmed by plastic waste imports, facing environmental harm and public health risks from non-recyclable plastics.
- Calls for a Global Plastic Treaty emphasize cutting plastic production, banning single-use plastics and ensuring corporate accountability.
Key quote:
“Not factoring in the impacts of the plastic waste trade in global plastic pollution metrics is forgetting and ignoring the historical injustices of dumping waste in developing countries that are also victims of colonialism.”
— Coleen Salamat, policy campaigner for Waste Trade.
Why this matters:
Plastic waste imports harm ecosystems and public health in vulnerable countries while masking the true impact of overproduction. Solutions targeting corporate practices and global regulation are needed to protect communities and address the climate crisis.
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