Plastic Waste Trade

There is an ugly truth to how the world disposes of its plastics. The Plastic Waste Trade is proof. Instead of taking responsibility for their plastic waste, many developed countries are handing over the problem to the Global South, including Malaysia.

End the Age of Plastic

The harmful effects

High-income countries, also known as the Global North, produce most of the world’s plastic waste and export it to lower-income countries for disposal. This Plastic Waste Trade has harmed Southeast Asia, with Malaysia importing nearly half a million tonnes of waste in early 2018. The influx of non-recyclable, contaminated waste has worsened pollution and health risks in areas like Pulau Indah, Klang, and Jenjarom.

Putting a stop to the age of plastic

Following the 2018 plastic waste influx into Malaysia, we worked with local communities to expose illegal dumping sites. Activist protests pressured the government to ban plastic imports, return waste, and shut down illegal facilities. The problem persists, but with your help, we can hold politicians accountable to end the plastic waste trade and protect communities.

Plastic Waste Investigation in Malaysia. © Nandakumar S. Haridas / Greenpeace

Keep learning about

Hundreds of people join A Plastic Free 2023 march in Jakarta. Greenpeace Indonesia joins with dozens NGOs and communities hold the fifth Plastic Free campaigns to stop single usage plastic.
Plastics
Sofía Gómez, Influencer and Freediver. © Diana Rey Melo / Greenpeace
After the Galapagos Leg for research activities, the Arctic Sunrise arrived for the first time in the Colombian Pacific as a part of the Global Plastic Campaign. The call is to protect our ocean from plastic pollution, having a strong plastic treaty and reduce at least 75% of the plastic production. The ship tour headed to Malpelo Island Flora and Fauna Sanctuary (declared Natural Heritage by UNESCO). There, we will document ecosystem importance of Malpelo Island as part of the migration corridor in the Pacific. Along with Fundación Malpelo and the Colombian influencer and freediver Sofía Gómez, we are going to document and denounce the threats that threaten our sea, especially plastic pollution. We will support the approval of the Global Plastics Treaty and highlight the conservation value of the Colombian Pacific and its seamounts and the need to increase marine protected areas in this country. © Diana Rey Melo / Greenpeace
Global Plastics Treaty
Haze and Human Rights Activity in Malaysia. © Darshen Chelliah / Greenpeace
Ahead of the 2021 International Human Rights Day, a broad alliance of civil society organisations led by Greenpeace Malaysia and local NGO CERAH Anti-Haze Action file a pioneering complaint at the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) in Kuala Lumpur as a proactive countermeasure to address the chronic and persistent haze pollution. Representatives from the coalition joined Greenpeace Malaysia volunteers for an offline action in front of the Human Rights Commission building to demand for the recognition of clean, haze-free air as a basic human right.
Our Work with Allies

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