Mekong Delta "Floating Flatpack", 5th. semester project

CHALLENGES DUE TO PLASTIC POLLUTION IN MEKONG RIVER (STATISTICS/CURRENT RECYCLE)
SOUNDING THE ALARM
The Mekong River Commission is sounding the alarm on the growing challenge of macroplastics
and microplastics, urging its four Member Countries to establish a joint, permanent mechanism
to monitor and clean up pollutants that seep into the soil, air, and fisheries — and can affect both
the ecosystem and human health.
The MRC’s own Riverine Plastic Monitoring (RPM) Program — the first one in the world — estimated
that in 2020, its four countries had produced about eight million tons of plastic waste. At
ports and piers, for example, some 70% to 90% of the solid waste was identified as plastic bottles,
plastic bags, and Styrofoam.
Less visible than the solid waste, but even more harmful, are the “microplastics,” which are the
miniscule pieces of degraded plastic, synthetic fibers and plastic beads that can be easily ingested
by humans and animals.
The issue of plastics pollution first became prominent in 2017, with the landmark research of a
German-led team that documented how large rivers were the main source of many hundreds of
metric tons of plastics that had begun to suffocate parts of different oceans. The researchers
identified the rivers most responsible, around the world and the Mekong ranked 10th.
SERIOUS THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH
To be sure, the threats to human health and habitats from the plastic crisis are enormous.
Riverine and marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe
injuries and death. Scientists warn that plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality,
human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change. Under the influence of
solar UV radiation, wind, currents and other natural factors, plastics break down into small
particles called microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) or nanoplastics (particles smaller
than 100 nm). The small size makes them easy for aquatic life to ingest accidentally.
Increased domestic consumption combined with higher growth of the manufacturing and service
sectors has led to increased waste generation in Viet Nam. Due to uncollected waste and
the current waste collection, transportation and disposal practices, there is extensive leakage
of plastic waste in water and wastewater, ultimately leading to marine litter and plastic pollution
(SEA Circular, 2020).